University of St. Thomas Athletics
Seventeen Tommies garner All-Conference recognition
12/3/2024 1:00:00 PM | Football
ST. PAUL, MINN. – The postseason awards continue to roll in for the University of St. Thomas football team. After another top-3 finish in the Pioneer Football League, the Tommies saw 17 student-athletes receive honors from the conference, as they were voted to one of three All-Conference teams. Hope Adebayo (Inver Grove Heights, Minn. / Simley) was St. Thomas' lone unanimous selection, one of two unanimous selections by the PFL coaches.
Six Tommies received either First or Second Team honors from the PFL, including Adebayo, who was the team's lone unanimous selection for 2024. Joining Adebayo on the First Team were senior offensive lineman Alec Rasmussen (Plymouth, Minn. / Wayzata) and junior wide receiver Colin Chase (Orange County, Calif. / St. John Bosco), while Patrick Wagner (Crofton, Md. / Archbishop Spaulding), Luke Herzog (Mendota Heights, Minn. / St. Thomas Academy) and Chase (as a return specialist) earned Second Team honors.
In addition to St. Thomas' six First and Second Team All-Conference selections, 11 student-athletes received Honorable Mention recognition. Offensive linemen Langston Robinson (Milwaukee, Wis. / Marquette), Jason Laliberte (Maple Grove, Minn. / Maple Grove), Shea Albrecht (Orono, Minn. / Orono) and James Morrison (West St. Paul, Minn. / Cretin-Derham Hall) joined Rasmussen as All-Conference Honorable Mention recipients, while Matthew Rink (Lincoln, Neb. / Southwest) received All-Conference honors for the second consecutive season. On the defensive side of the ball, Den Juette (Chicago, Ill. / Fenwick), Grif Wurtz (Chaska, Minn. / Chaska), Ryan Calcagno (St. Charles, Ill. / St. Francis), CJ Warren (Circle Pines, Minn. / Centennial), Noah Friedt (Lakeville, Minn. / Apple Valley) and Ryan Sever (Edina, Minn. / Benilde-St. Margaret) were named to the All-Conference Honorable Mention team.
St. Thomas PFL All-Conference selections
Hope Adebayo (Sr.; Running Back; Inver Grove Heights, Minn. / Simley)
Few can do what Adebayo did in his fourth and final season win the Purple. The senior running back received All-Conference honors for the third time in his St. Thomas career and was the lone Tommie to receive a unanimous selection from the PFL coaches. 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)
A key part to St. Thomas' offensive success in 2024 was none other than Rasmussen, who earned his third First Team All-Conference honor from the PFL on Tuesday. 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 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, earning PFL honors for the third time in his career after being named the PFL Defensive Freshman of the Year back in 2021. 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.
Patrick Wagner (Jr.; Tight End; Crofton, Md. / Archbishop Spaulding)
Like Chase, Wagner was a first time All-Conference honoree and earned Second Team honors after an impressive junior season with St. Thomas. One of the top receiving tight ends in the conference, Wagner ranked third on the team in total receiving yards, closing the 2024 season with 235 total in 10 games. He additionally recorded his first 100+ receiving yard game in his St. Thomas career, tallying a career-high 104 yards and one touchdown in a loss to (RV) Northern Iowa in early September. As a blocking tight end, Wagner also played a pivotal role in the Tommies offense, helping the team record over 3500 all-purpose yards in 2024.
Shea Albrecht (Sr.; Offensive Line; Orono, Minn. / Orono)
Albrecht was named to the PFL All-Conference Honorable Mention 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.
Ryan Calcagno (Jr.; Defensive Back; St. Charles, Ill. / St. Francis)
Calcagno hit his stride in 2024, earning All-Conference Honorable Mention honors after appearing in all 12 games for St. Thomas in 2024. As a junior, Calcagno recorded at least one tackle in all eight PFL contests, including a season-high three against Marist and Butler. He provided a highlight real play in the Tommies win over Dayton to close the season, as Calcagno's scoop and score fumble recovery helped secure a 32-9 victory. Calcagno also recorded two interceptions against PFL opponents and closed the season with 26 total tackles.
Noah Friedt (Sr.; Defensive Line; Lakeville, Minn. / Apple Valley)
Friedt was an anchor on St. Thomas' defensive line and earned All-Conference Honorable Mention accolades for the second consecutive season. 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 All-Conference Honorable Mention honors 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.
Jason Laliberte (Jr.; Offensive Line; Maple Grove, Minn. / Maple Grove)
Now a two-time All-Conference Honorable Mention 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.
James Morrison (Jr.; Offensive Line; West St. Paul, Minn. / Cretin-Derham Hall)
Another member of St. Thomas' offensive line, Morrison played a key role in the Tommies offensive success in 2024. Morrison appeared in 11 of St. Thomas' 12 games in 2024, including seven PFL contests, and helped the Tommies rush for 1745 total yards and pass for 1762 total yards. Additionally, St. Thomas running backs recorded nine 100+ yard games during the season, six of which occurred in PFL play. The Tommies quarterbacks and receiving core also recorded 100+ yards in nine games in 2024, including the final seven in PFL play.
Matthew Rink (Jr.; Tight End; Lincoln, Neb. / Southwest)
Rink was named to the PFL All-Conference Honorable Mention team after earning Second Team All-Conference honors in 2023. 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 Third Team All-Conference selection in 2023, 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.
Ryan Sever (Jr; Linebacker; Edina, Minn. / Benilde-St. Margaret)
Sever earned All-Conference honors for the first time in his career, as he was named All-Conference Honorable Mention by the PFL coaches on Tuesday. He appeared in all 12 games for St. Thomas in 2024 and closed the 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.
C.J. Warren (Graduate Student; Defensive Line; Circle Pines, Minn. / Centennial)
A 2023 Second Team All-Conference selection, Warren was recognized by the PFL coaches for the second consecutive season, earning Honorable Mention 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.
Grif Wurtz (5th; Defensive Back; Chaska, Minn. / Chaska)
A staple on the St. Thomas defense for the past several seasons, Wurtz closed his Tommie career by earning All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition from the PFL coaches. As a defensive back, Wurtz appeared in all 12 games for St. Thomas and racked up 73.0 tackles, two interceptions and four pass break ups in his final season. He ranked second on the team in total tackles (73.0) and 14th in the conference, having tallied 44 of his 73 tackles against PFL opponents. Wurtz also played a key role in the Tommies special teams success, becoming the first St. Thomas student-athlete in the DI era to record an interception and a completed pass in the same quarter.
