D3football.com Poll | D3football.com Preseason All-Americans

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The Saint John's University football team was ranked No. 5 in Lindy's Division III poll and No. 11 by both D3football.com and Street & Smith's magazine.

Senior defensive lineman Nathan Brinker (Avon, Minn./Holdingford) and junior offensive lineman Dan Greenheck (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) were named to Lindy's All-Division III first team, while senior safety Max Jackson (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) was named to the All-Division III second team. Greenheck was named to D3football.com's preseason All-America first team July 30, while Brinker and Jackson were named to the second team.

This is what Lindy's said about Saint John's:

"Perennial Minnesota power … rounds out the top five. Quarterback Jackson Erdmann and wide receiver Will Gillach will lead the way as Saint John's looks to make its way to the championship game's new home for the next two years in Shenandoah, Texas."

The Street & Smith's article noted the following:

"Saint John's made its fourth straight NCAA playoff trip in 2017 and returns six starters on both sides of the ball. The offense will rely on 6-foot-4 quarterback Jackson Erdmann, who threw for 25 scores in 2017. On defense, sack specialist Nathan Brinker and safety Max Jackson need to deliver big seasons for an inexperienced unit."

A two-time All-West Region and All-MIAC first-team honoree, Brinker started all 11 games and led SJU with 11.5 tackles for loss, finished third in sacks (5.5) and tied for fourth in total tackles (43). In conference play, Brinker tied for second in tackles for loss (9.5) and fourth in sacks (5). He begins his senior season this fall 10th in school history with 18 career sacks. 

Greenheck was named to the D3football.com All-America third team last season after starting all 11 games at right guard for an SJU offense that averaged 411.1 yards per game, including 211.8 yards on the ground. 

Jackson was D3football.com All-America honorable mention last fall. He started all 11 games and finished third on the team with 47 tackles (21 solo) and returned two interceptions and a fumble for touchdowns. He returned a fumble 73 yards for a touchdown in the season opener against St. Scholastica and found the end zone on interceptions in back-to-back weeks, 44 yards Oct. 7 against Augsburg and 55 yards Oct. 14 at Carleton. A two-sport star, Jackson was an All-Region selection in baseball this spring. 

The Johnnies ended the 2017 season ranked No. 14 nationally and finished with a 9-2 record (7-1 MIAC). SJU's defense ended the regular season ranked in the top 12 in NCAA Division III in a number of categories: second in total defense (196.5 ypg.), scoring defense (8.3 ppg.) and pass-efficiency defense (82.17); third in passing defense (121.7 ypg.); fourth in first downs allowed (115); fifth in third-down defense (21.5 percent); ninth in defensive touchdowns (4); and 12th in rushing defense (74.8 ypg.). The Johnnies' offense finished second in the MIAC (conference games only) in scoring offense (37.6 ppg.) and total offense (402.8 ypg.) for the second straight year.

SJU opens the 2018 season with a 1 p.m. kickoff Sept. 1 against the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Clemens Stadium, the first of six regular-season home games this fall. 

SJU in the D3football.com Preseason Poll (established 2004):
2018: No. 11
2017: No. 10
2016: No. 9
2015: No. 9
2014: votes
2013: ---
2012: votes
2011: No. 25
2010: No. 9
2009: No. 13
2008: No. 6
2007: No. 3
2006: No. 4
2005: No. 10
2004: No. 2