SEWARD, Neb. – First team All-GPAC defensive lineman Trey Barnes and second team all-GPAC running back Bryce Collins have been chosen to play in the annual D2 vs. NAIA Challenge. The Collegiate Development Football League (CDFL) organizes the all-star contest that features top senior football players from the NCAA Division II and NAIA levels. This year’s game will kick off from Doug Shaw Stadium in Myrtle Beach, S.C., at 6:30 p.m. CT / 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 17.
Players, coaches and support staff will check in at the Sheraton Convention Center Hotel on Dec. 15. A “National Scouting Showcase Luncheon” and practice sessions are held on Dec. 16.
A Seward High School product, Barnes garnered second team All-America honors in 2015. NAIA All-America teams for 2016 have not yet been announced.
“It’s been a pretty incredible career for Trey Barnes,” said head coach Vance Winter following the season-ending victory over Hastings. “He’s the best athlete that I’ve ever coached. He does so many things well and he’s a winner. I love the guy to death.”
Barnes found himself on the All-GPAC first team for a second year in a row. He collected first team honors this season as both a defensive lineman and punter. In his final collegiate season, Barnes totaled 68 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, nine sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown. He led the nation in stops in the backfield per game (2.2). As a punter, Barnes topped the conference with an average of 40.7. After the final week of the season, he was also named GPAC special teams player of the week after a career day punting the football. One of his punts went a career long 75 yards.
For his career, Barnes totaled 165 tackles, 44.5 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. Barnes became a dominant defensive player after playing running back earlier in his collegiate career, which included 575 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns and 136 receiving yards.
Collins collected first team All-GPAC honors as both a sophomore and junior. As a senior, the Boerne, Texas, native rushed 201 times for 881 yards and eight touchdowns while also catching 20 passes for 176 yards. His 3,547 career rushing yards rank second all-time in program history. His standout career also included 37 total touchdowns and 4,694 all-purpose yards over 40 games played.
