VERMILLION, S.D. — Following the program's third-straight FCS Quarterfinals appearance and 10-win season, a trio of Coyotes – all in their first year as a starter – have earned All-America accolades from FCS Football Central.  
 
L.J. Phillips Jr., First Team, running back
Phillips Jr. stepped up this season when his name was called, awaiting his chance with the 'next man up' mentality. And his preparation showed! His marks sat near the top in the Valley and the FCS in multiple different rushing categories.
 
He stepped into the starting role in Week 3 against Northern Colorado and started the last 13 games of the season while playing in all 15 games. Throughout the season, multiple records fell as he rushed his way into the South Dakota – and MVFC – record books. The Wichita, Kansas native led the Valley in rushing yards and touchdowns through the 12 regular season games.
 
In his 15 games this season, Phillips Jr. shattered the USD Division I FCS era for rushing yards in a season with 1,953 on the season on 294 carries. The mark also sits second-best in program history for a single season, one of two Yotes to have 1,900+ yards in a season. The 128.1 yards per game sits sixth-best in program history for a season.
 
He ran for nine 100-yard games this season with a career-best 301 yards in the win over Northern Colorado. In that game, it became the second-highest number of rushing yards by a Coyote in program history. He also rushed for 19 touchdowns which is second in program history for a single season and ties the mark set by Travis Theis (2024) as the most by a Yote in the FCS era.
 
Larenzo Fenner, Second Team, wide receiver
Big play Larenzo showed out all season, and really ramped up his production in the back half of the season. Fenner became the first Coyote in the Division I FCS era to have 1,000+ receiving yards in a season, doing so with his one catch at Montana in the quarterfinals to get to 1,001 on the year.
 
Fenner also had five 100-yard receiving games on the year with South Dakota going 5-0 when he had 100+ yards. He also had at least one reception in each of the 15 games played this season as a redshirt sophomore.
 
Fenner had a South Dakota single-season record 15 touchdown receptions on the season, the first Yote in the FCS era to have double-digit receiving touchdowns in a season. Entering the quarterfinals, Fenner had grabbed at least one touchdown in five-straight games. He had at least one touchdown grab in nine games this season, including a career-best three touchdown grabs in back-to-back games (at Southern Illinois; vs. Drake).
 
Mikey Munn, Second Team, defensive back
In his first season as a starter and at cornerback, Munn quickly became one of the best coverage defensive backs in the MVFC – and the nation. The Colorado native sat tied for the FCS lead with his five interceptions, joining Eastern Washington's Jaylon Jenkins. He sat top-25 in the nation this year with his 10 pass break-ups, while combining for 15 total passes defended (PBU + INT).
 
Munn, as a true sophomore, excelled as a coverage back, leading the MVFC in interceptions, while near the top in pass break-ups. Additionally, Munn sat eighth on the team in tackles with his 59, while also forcing a fumble and having three tackles for loss.