PITTSBURG — Six members of the Pittsburg State University football team were named to the Don Hansen Football Committee NCAA Division II All-America team today (Jan. 15), the final piece to the 2023 postseason awards.

Senior tight end Devon Garrison was selected to the first-team All-America squad, while redshirt junior linebacker Jack Barkley, redshirt senior offensive lineman Trase Jeffries and redshirt senior defensive back Rico Payton garnered second-team All-America accolades. Senior defensive back Michael Lacey and graduate offensive lineman Zane Madison received honorable mention All-America recognition.

Garrison (Elk River, Minn.) caught a team-leading 53 passes for 855 yards (16.1 ypc) and six touchdowns on the year. Garrison leads NCAA Division II in tight end receiving yards (855) and ranks third nationally in tight end touchdown receptions (6). He becomes a consensus first-team All-America selection after garnering similar honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Associated Press and the D2 Conference Commissioner's Association. Garrison also received All-America recognition as a junior in 2022.

Barkley (Tulsa, Okla.) made a team-leading 95 tackles (47 solo) with 11.0 tackles-for-loss, 5.0 quarterback sacks, an interceptions and three pass breakups while spearheading a Pitt State defense that surrendered just 16.9 points and 287.3 total yards per game on the season. Barkley also received second-team All-America honors from the A.P. and D2CCA.

Jeffries (Broken Arrow, Okla.) anchored a Pitt State offensive line that helped the Gorillas average 33.9 points and 398.0 yards of total offense per game. Jeffries started 41 consecutive games at offensive tackle for the Gorillas between 2020-23. He also becomes a consensus All-America, earning first-team recognition from the D2CCA and second-team honors from the AFCA and A.P. Jeffries also received All-America recognition as a redshirt junior in 2022.

Payton (St. Louis, Mo.) posted 35 tackles (23 solo) on the year with 5.0 tackles-for-loss, four interceptions and 12 pass breakups from his cornerback position. He helped the Gorillas lead Division II in interceptions this season with 22. Payton also earned second-team All-America honors from the AFCA.

Lacey (Cleveland, Ohio) posted 52 tackles (29 solo) on the year with 5.0 tackles-for-loss, two interceptions and 10 pass breakups from his safety position. He also helped the Gorillas lead Division II in interceptions in 2023. Lacey also earned second-team All-America honors from the D2CCA this postseason.

Madison (Val Alstyne, Texas) garners his first All-America recognition from the 2023 postseason. Madison started all 11 games at center for the Gorillas this fall, after transferring from Division II member West Texas A&M University where he was a two-time All-Lone Star Conference selection.

Pitt State captured its second straight MIAA Championship in 2023. The Gorillas posted an 11-2 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.