BEVERLY, Mass. — Endicott senior offensive lineman Justyn Lester (Tewksbury, Mass.) has been named to The Associated Press (AP) Division III All-America Second Team, as announced earlier today.
Lester is the first offensive lineman and only the second student-athlete in program history to earn the honor.
He joins former kicker Nick DiCairano '20 (Trumbull, Conn.) on the illustrious list.
Additionally, Lester was the only representative from New England and the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) tabbed to either the first or second AP Division III All-America Team.
The AP Division III All-America team is chosen by a panel of sports information directors who cover DIII football.
Lester's postseason awards this fall now include today's award, D3football.com All-America Third Team honors, D3football.com All-Region I First Team honors, a selection to the New England Football Writers DII/III All-New England Team, CCC Offensive Lineman of the Year laurels, and a spot on the All-CCC First Team.
The 6-2 guard did not allow a single sack in conference play and anchored an offensive line that currently ranks No. 8 overall for sacks allowed (0.64) in Division III.
Endicott also ranks No. 13 in 3rd down conversion percentage (.510), No. 6 in 4th down conversion percentage (.714), No. 49 in red zone offense (.843), No. 21 in rushing offense (213.9), and No. 11 for tackles for loss allowed (3.55).
All stats listed above are up to date as of 12/9/23 in the NCAA database (excludes D3 National Championship game — those stats will be finalized next week).
YEAR IN REVIEW
Endicott posted a 9-2 overall record and the second-ever undefeated conference season (5-0) in CCC football history.
The Gulls earned the highest national ranking in program history at No. 14 overall in both national polls and captured their first-ever win over a nationally ranked opponent – No. 5/5 Hardin-Simmons, 37-10, on Friday, September 22.
Endicott finished the 2023 campaign ranked No. 15 overall in the final D3football.com and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Polls.
Both rankings are program records for the Gulls in either year-end poll.
Additionally, Endicott's No. 15 national ranking from D3football.com marks the third-best finish ever by a New England school in the organization's poll, which began in 2003.
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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)
