Heithoff honored by USA Football News

Junior-to-be Dylan Heithoff has been named a West Region NAIA Preseason All-Star by USA Football News. The outside linebacker and Elgin, Neb., native is one of 16 student-athletes from the Great Plains Athletic Conference selected by USA Football News.

"Dylan is a guy we expect to be one of the top defensive players in the conference,” head football coach Vance Winter said. “He has an ability to make impact plays and our defensive coaches will put him in a great position to be that type of player."

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Heithoff recorded 42 tackles, 9.5 for loss, and forced one fumble in 2011. His three sacks tied for third most on the team. Following the 2011 season, Heithoff earned GPAC Second Team All-Conference honors.

To view complete NAIA all-region selections by USA Football News, click here.