WACO, Texas - Michael Clark and Reed Richards of the Berry College Football team have been named AFCA All-America for the first time.

Michael Clark:
Clark was an unstoppable force on the interior of the Viking defensive line this season. He had 24 total tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss, while generating constant pressure in the backfield. The senior from McDonough, Georgia, was the anchor that led the top ranked scoring defense in the SAA, which allowed just 11.9 points per game to opponents. 

Reed Richards:
A five Game Starter at LT (injured in 2nd game of the season). Helped anchor the conference's top scoring attack (39.1ppg). A key component to the offense's 214.1 yards rushing per game (1st in SAA & 26th Nationally [D3] along 32 rushing total touchdowns (1st in SAA & 6th Nationally [D3]. Was also a critical member of the offensive line who allowed the fewest sacks (8) in the conference & 27th Nationally [D3], personally allowing 1 sack this year. Career: 4-year starter, was named 2nd Team All-Conference in 2023 & 2024.

Team Background: The AFCA has selected an All-America team every year since 1945. The five teams now chosen for each AFCA division evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen.

From 1967 through 1971, two teams – University Division and College Division – were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II.

In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — Division I-A and Division I-AA.

In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. The AFCA began selecting an NAIA-only team in 2006. Also in 2006, the Division I-A and Division I-AA teams were renamed Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), respectively.

From 1965-81, a 22-player (11 offensive, 11 defensive) team was chosen. In 1982, a punter and placekicker were added to the team. In 1997, a return specialist was added, giving us the current 25-player team. The return specialist position was replaced by an all-purpose player in 2006. In 2016, the AFCA added a second team All-America.

Selection Process: The AFCA's Division III All-America Selection Committee is made up of head coaches representing each conference from each of the AFCA's seven districts, one of whom serves as a district chairman, along with another head coach who serves as the chairman of the selection committee. The coaches in each district are responsible for ranking the top players in their respective districts prior to a conference call between the district chairmen and the committee chairman on which the team is chosen.

The Award: Members of the AFCA Coaches' All-America First Team will receive a plaque commemorating their selection to the team, while members of the Second Team will receive a certificate.