Football | 8/12/2026 2:00:00 PM
TRAFFORD, Pa. (pacathletics.org) - The Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) was represented by three players from two programs when the D3football.com Preseason All-American teams were announced Wednesday, marking the third year in a row the conference had three players on the national website's preseason All-American teams.
Collecting Third Team Preseason All-American distinction was junior defensive back Dante DeRubbo (Washington, Pa./Trinity) and sophomore offensive guard Grant Lefeld (Northfield, Ohio/Nordonia) from the two-time defending PAC champion Washington & Jefferson College Presidents, as well as junior defensive back Noah Wheeler (McKinney, Texas/McKinney Christian) from Grove City College. This is the first preseason All-American honor for all three players.
DeRubbo led the Presidents with seven interceptions in 2025, which was tied for fourth nationally in the category. DeRubbo was also ranked fifth in the country for interceptions per game with 0.64. He finished the season with 22 tackles, five pass breakups, a quarterback hurry, and a fumble recovery. DeRubbo finished three interceptions away from tying the single-season record, held by Ricky Williams '92 and Mark Persichette '75 with 10 picks. His highly productive campaign earned DeRubbo Second Team All-PAC and Third Team All-Region 2 status from D3football.com.
In his initial season on the W&J offensive line, Lefeld helped limit opponents to only 21 sacks on the season, just under two per game. Lefeld opened gaps for W&J rushers to score 32 touchdowns. He headed an offensive line that helped W&J rank 14th nationally in scoring offenses among Division III institutions, averaging 43.5 points per game and 48.0 points in eight PAC contests. Following his impactful freshman season, Lefeld was a First Team All-PAC and Second Team All-Region 2 selection by D3football.com.
Wheeler, an Associated Press Division III All-American last year, started 10 games last season and intercepted four passes. He opened the season with two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, in a season-opening 31-14 victory at national power Cortland (N.Y.). He also recorded 26 tackles while helping the Wolverines lead NCAA Division III with 24 interceptions during the regular season, which helped Grove City earn an at-large bid to the NCAA playoffs for the third year in a row.
In addition his AP All-American award last year, Wheeler was also a First Team All-PAC and D3football.com Second Team All-Region honoree.
Story contributions from W&J and Grove City Sports Information