MARIETTA, Ohio — A pair of Marietta College defensive stars were named to the D3football.com Preseason All-America Team Thursday (August 8) afternoon. Fifth-year student
Chance Knight (Bridgeport, Ohio/Linsly School) earned first team recognition while junior
Harley Hopkins (Zanesville, Ohio/West Muskingum) was named to the third team.
"Both Chance and Harley are outstanding football players and people that represent our program in the best possible way both on and off the field," said Marietta Head Football coach
Andy Waddle. "Excited for them to receive this type of recognition."
Knight earned a spot on the D3football All-American second team after last season, finishing the season with 60 tackles. He was also second in the OAC with 8.5 sacks and third with 14 tackles for loss, which led to Knight receiving the OAC's Paul Hoernemann Defensive Lineman of the Year award.
"Chance combines both speed and power and is a force versus both the run and the pass," said Coach Waddle. "When he's playing at his best, he's as good as any DIII defensive tackle in the country."
Hopkins was a first time All-Region selection after last year. In his first year as a starter for the Pioneers, Hopkins ranked sixth in the OAC with 9.4 tackles per game, ninth in tackles for a loss (11.5), and eighth with yardage lost on those tackles (60 yards). He was named OAC Defensive Player of the Week on three different occasions during the season.
"Harley had a breakout year in 2023," said Coach Waddle. "He's very physical and has an outstanding nose for the ball. I'm excited to continue to watch his development."
Marietta opens the season on the road as they travel to Rochester, New York to battle St. John Fisher University on September 7th. Kickoff against the Cardinals is set for 1 p.m.
Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on X and Instagram.
