WACO, Texas – Michigan Tech football senior punter Brenden Lach has been named to the 2024 AFCA Division II Coaches' All-America Team, announced Wednesday. Lach was selected to the AFCA All-America Second Team (Specialist).
Lach, a native of South Lyon, Michigan, has been one of the top punters in Division II this season, ranking second in the country with his 45.5 punting average. For the season, the First Team All-GLIAC Defensive team selection recorded 65 punts (2,960 yards), just three punts shy of tying the all-time season record, with his total yards surpassing the current record of 2,277 yards set back in 1979. His booming kicks resulted in seven touchbacks, 15 fair catches, 20 inside the 20-yard line and an astounding 23 punts over 50 yards. His longest punt this season went 67 yards.
In 29 games as a Husky, Lach has recorded 150 punts for 6,608 yards for an average of 44.1, which ranks first in the country for Division II among active players. Additionally, Lach is 284 yards away from the program record held by Tony Bourdow (6,892 yards) from 1979-82.
He also earned D2CCA All-Super Region 3 First Team accolades for his play in 2024.Â
Lach is the first player to earn AFCA All-America honors since Hayden Huttula earned First Team accolades in 2021.Â
Team Background
The five teams now chosen for each AFCA division evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams – University Division and College Division – were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — FBS and FCS. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. In 2006, the AFCA started selecting an NAIA-only team. In 2016, the AFCA added a second team All-America. From 1965-81, a 22-player (11 offensive, 11 defensive) team was chosen. In 1982, a punter and placekicker were added to the team. In 1997, a return specialist was added. The return specialist position was replaced by an all-purpose player in 2006. A third wide receiver was added in 2024.
