Hope College center Zach Smith (Suttons Bay, Mich.) has joined elite company after being chosen to the 2019 American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division III All-America Team. Smith is one of five first-team offensive linemen and 11 first-team selections overall.

Smith, a senior, is Hope's first AFCA All-American since center Kurt Brinks in 1982.

The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in five all five college divisions. 

The 5-10, 264-pound Smith helped the Flying Dutchmen match a school record for single-season wins with a 9-2 record this season. Hope captured its 21st Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title with a 7-0 league record and earned the fifth NCAA playoff appearance in team history.

A two-time, All-MIAA first-team honoree, Smith anchored an offensive line that paved the way for the MIAA's top scoring offensive at 46.0 points per game and second-ranked total offense at 439.7 yards per game.

Against MIAA opponents, Hope averaged a league-high 46.4 points and 446.0 yards per game.

Head coach Peter Stuursma called Smith the heart and soul of Hope's offensive line.

"A three-year starter and a two-time captain, Zach has never missed a practice or a rep with the first unit," Stuursma said. "He is durable, tough and as strong as anyone we have had here at Hope College."

Press release provided by Hope College athletics

AFCA NCAA Division III All-America press release

MIAA Student-Athletes Honored by AFCA

Hope - Zach Smith (1st) - story link

--MIAA--