University of St. Thomas Athletics
Rasmussen earns All-America nod, 14 Tommies named to Phil Steele All-Conference teams
12/20/2024 9:56:00 AM | Football
ST. PAUL, MINN. – The postseason awards continue to roll in for the University of St. Thomas football team. On Thursday, 14 Tommies saw themselves named to the Phil Steele All-Conference teams, including Alec Rasmussen (Wayzata, Minn. / Wayzata). The senior was named the PFL Offensive Lineman of the Year by the organization for the second consecutive year, becoming the first player in the DI era to win the award back-to-back seasons, and earned an All-America nod.
Rasmussen was named a Fourth Team All-American by Phil Steele, joining Luke Glenna as the only Tommies to earn All-America honors in the DI era. Rasmussen was also a First Team All-Conference selection for the third consecutive season and was voted the PFL Offensive Lineman of the Year by Phil Steele for the second straight season. It marks the third consecutive year a St. Thomas student-athlete has taken home the award, as Matt Weimann was voted the PFL Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2022.
Joining Rasmussen as a First Team honoree was Hope Adebayo (Inver Grove Heights, Minn. / Simley), who made plenty of headlines in 2024. Second Team honorees include Colin Chase (Orange County, Calif. / St. John Bosco) and Luke Herzog (Mendota Heights, Minn. / St. Thomas Academy), while Noah Friedt (Lakeville, Minn. / Apple Valley), Den Juette (Chicago, Ill. / Fenwick) and Ryan Sever (Edina, Minn. / Benilde-St. Maragaret) earned Third Team honors.
Several offensive players were named Fourth Team All-Conference, including Shea Albrecht (Orono, Minn. / Orono), Jason Laliberte (Maple Grove, Minn. / Maple Grove), Landon Reed (Naples, Fla. / Community), Matt Rink (Lincoln, Neb. / Southwest) and Langston Robinson (Milwaukee, Wis. / Marquette). C.J. Warren (Circle Pines, Minn. / Centennial) and Ben Hoiland (North Oaks, Minn. / Mounds View) also earned Fourth Team honors Thursday.
St. Thomas Phil Steele All-Conference Selections:
Hope Adebayo (Sr.; Running Back; Inver Grove Heights, Minn. / Simley)
Adebayo made plenty of headlines in his fourth and final season with the Purple. The senior running back added to his long resume of awards, as he was named First Team All-Conference by Phil Steele, becoming a 3x Phil Steele All-Conference award winner. As a senior, Adebayo rushed for 1137 yards during the regular season, becoming the first St. Thomas running back to rush for over 1000 yards in a single season since Joshua Parks in 2018. He did so in style, rushing for over 100 yards in six games and recording the first ever 200+ yard rush performance by a running back in the DI era. Of his 1137 yards, 1001 were accrued against PFL opponents, as Adebayo led the conference in total rush yards gained (1001), yards per carry (6.9) and yards per game (125.1). He recorded the longest rushing touchdown of any running back in the conference on October 26 when he rushed for 70 yards to the end zone against San Diego. In that same game, Adebayo set DI era records for single-game rushing yards (277) and ranks third all-time in the stat, according to available records.
Alec Rasmussen (Sr.; Offensive Line; Plymouth, Minn. / Wayzata)
Already a multi-time award winner this postseason, Rasmussen added to his trophy case, as he was named First Team All-Conference and the PFL Offensive Lineman of the Year by Phil Steele. A senior left tackle, Rasmussen appeared in 10 of the Tommies 12 games in 2024, helping the team rush for 1745 yards, including 1137 by Adebayo himself. Additionally, St. Thomas may have produced its most balanced offense, as the team also passed for 1762 yards and recorded 12 passing touchdowns in 2024. The protector of the quarterback's blindside, Tommie quarterbacks were sacked less than 30 times this season and only threw five interceptions against PFL opponents under Rasmussen's watchful eye.
Colin Chase (Jr.; Wide Receiver / Return Specialist; Orange County, Calif. / St. John Bosco)
Chase put together a breakout season for the Tommies, as he earned All-Conference honors from Phil Steele for the first time in his career, and he did so twice for his play at wide receiver and on special teams. In his first full season healthy, Chase was a top target for St. Thomas quarterbacks, racking up 633 receiving yards during the season, including 583 against conference opponents. He averaged 18.2 yards per catch in PFL play and 4.0 receptions per game, making Chase one of the most lethal targets in the conference. He also closed the season with six touchdowns against PFL opponents and ranked 14th in scoring.
As a kick returner, Chase was equally as impressive, earning Second Team honors for his special teams play. In 10 games as a return specialist, Chase tallied 295 yards to average 29.50 yards per game, including a season long 62 yard return against Butler in mid-November. Chase also put together impressive special teams performances against Stetson, Valparaiso, Morehead State, and Dayton.
Luke Herzog (Sr.; Linebacker; Mendota Heights, Minn. / St. Thomas Academy)
Herzog made his final season with the Tommies count, becoming a 3x Phil Steele All-Conference honoree. As a senior, Herzog captained St. Thomas' defensive efforts, finishing third on the team with 66.0 tackles, including 45 against PFL opponents. He additionally record 2.0 sacks, three pass break ups, six quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles in his final season with the Purple. Herzog recorded a season-high nine tackles in a loss to Butler on November 16 and recorded at least three tackles in every game this season.
Noah Friedt (Sr.; Defensive Line; Lakeville, Minn. / Apple Valley)
Friedt was an anchor on St. Thomas' defensive line and earned a Third Team All-Conference nod from Phil Steele Thursday. A two-time Academic Honor Roll selection, Friedt recorded 35 total tackles in 2024, including 12.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Friedt was additionally responsible for one fumble recovery and closed the season with four quarterback hurries, half of which were against PFL opponents. He recorded a season-high six tackles in the season opener against Sioux Falls on August 29 and recorded three tackles for loss in the same game.
Den Juette (Jr.; Defensive Back; Chicago, Ill. / Fenwick)
Juette took the conference by storm in 2024, earning Third Team All-Conference honors from Phil Steele for his play at defensive back. At the conclusion of the regular season, Juette led the PFL in total interceptions (4), all of which occurred against conference opponents. He also recorded 31.0 total tackles in the 2024 season, including 24 solo tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. He was credited with four pass break ups in addition to his four interceptions, making him a problem for quarterbacks in the conference.
Ryan Sever (Jr.; Linebacker; Edina, Minn. / Benilde-St. Margaret's)
After being named to the PFL All-Conference and Acadmeic All-Conference teams, Sever added Phil Steele All-Conference honors to his resume, earning Third Team honors in 2024. Sever led the team in several defensive categories and appeared in all 12 teams for the Tommies in 2024. He closed season with a team-leading 87 tackles, 34 solo and 53 assists, including 10.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Sever recorded a career and season-high 12 tackles in a loss to Morehead State in early November and recorded 10 tackles against Drake the following weekend. He also closed the season with two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, seven quarterback hurries and four pass breakups.
Shea Albrecht (Sr.; Offensive Line; Orono, Minn. / Orono)
Albrecht was named Fourth Team All-Conference by Phil Steele team after a stupendous senior season. A senior offensive lineman, Albrecht appeared and started all 12 games for St. Thomas, helping the team tally 3507 yards of total offense in 2024. With Albrecht at the line, the Tommies rushed for 1745 yards, including 1137 by Adebayo himself and passed for 1762. St. Thomas running backs also rushed for 100+ yards in nine games in 2024, including six against PFL opponents, while the Tommies wide receiver core recorded 100+ receiving yards in seven consecutive games to end the season.
Ben Hoiland (Fr.; Kicker / Punter; North Oaks, Minn. / Mounds View)
Hoiland was the lone freshman to earn All-Conference honors from Phil Steele Thursday afternoon, earning Fourth Team for his performance on the field this season. Hoiland took over as the team's starting kicker during the PFL season, making his debut in the team's win over Stetson in early October. The freshman did not disappoint. He converted 8-11 field goal attempts and was 22-24 in point after attempts, all in PFL play. He was named the conference's Freshman of the Week on October 13 after leading the Tommies to victory against Marist. Hoiland made his lone field goal attempt and went 4-4 on PATs, ensuring the win for St. Thomas. He additionally went 6-6 and 4-4 on PATs in wins over Valparaiso and San Diego and converted a career-long 45-yarder in the win over the Red Foxes. He also closed the season with 1727 kickoff yards.
Jason Laliberte (Jr.; Offensive Line; Maple Grove, Minn. / Maple Grove)
Now multi-time Phil Steele All-Conference selection, Laliberte played a pivotal role on the Tommies offensive line. A junior, Laliberte was tasked with playing both right and left tackle in 2024 and helped the team rush for 1745 yards in 23 games. Additionally, St. Thomas may have produced its most balanced offense, as the team also passed for 1762 yards thanks to its depth at wide receiver. Additionally, quarterbacks were sacked less than 30 times during the 2024 season, a mark aided by Laliberte's strong play at both tackle positions.
Landon Reed (Sr.; Fullback; Naples, Fla. / Community)
Reed was named All-Conference by Phil Steele for the second consecutive season, doing so after an impressive senior campaign with the Tommies. A fullback, Reed played a key role in St. Thomas' offensive scheme, helping the Tommies rush for 1745 yards a team. Reed was a pivotal piece of the run and passing game, completing a pass in St. Thomas' loss to Drake in early November, while also rushing for 17 yards on five attempts as a full back. He also served as a receiver multiple times throughout 2024.
Matthew Rink (Jr.; Tight End; Lincoln, Neb. / Southwest)
Rink was named Fourth Team All-Conference by Phil Steele after earning All-Conference honors from the PFL earlier this season. A junior tight end, Rink appeared in 10 contests in 2024, only missing two due to injury in the middle of the season. He was credited with 16 receiving yards on three targets, including one touchdown against Marist in early October. While Rink wasn't as much of an offensive threat as he was in 2023, he was a key member of St. Thomas' offensive line, helping the team accumulate 3507 yards of total offensive in 2024.
Langston Robinson (Sr.; Offensive Line; Milwaukee, Wis. / Marquette)
The Tommies starting center for the last two seasons, Langston was the final member of the St. Thomas offensive line to earn All-Conference accolades in 2024. A Fourth Team All-Conference selection in 2024, Robinson appeared in 10 games in 2024 after suffering an injury in the latter half of the season. As the team's starting center, Robinson was pivotal in the Tommies offensive success, helping them record 3507 yards of total offensive, including 1745 rushing yards. Robinson also piloted nine 100+ rushing and 100+ receiving yard performances, helping St. Thomas set three DI era records in PFL play.
C.J. Warren (Graduate Student; Defensive Line; Circle Pines, Minn. / Centennial)
A PFL All-Conference selection, Warren was recognized by Phil Steele Thursday, earning Fourth Team All-Conference honors after a stellar final season with the Tommies. As a member of St. Thomas' defensive line, Warren racked up 23 total tackles, including 5.5 for loss and 2.0 sacks. He was credited with one fumble recovery, one touchdown, six quarterback hurries and one pass break up in 2024 and recorded a season-high four tackles in the Tommies win over Dayton on Senior Day. Warren recorded a season-high 2.0 tackles for loss in the victory, including one sack.
