D2 College Football Spotlight
@d2fbspotlight • 8,065 subscribers
Covering the rivalries, legends, and stories that define Division II football.
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Danny Woodhead: The Most Dominant D2 RB Ever? Before the NFL, before the Super Bowls, danny woodhead was a nightmare for D2 defenses at Chadron State. His Numbers Were Insane: 🏆 2x Harlon Hill Trophy Winner (2006, 2007) – The best player in D2. 💨 7,962 career rushing yards – At the time, the most in NCAA history. 💥 2006 Season: 2,756 yards (D2 single-season record) & 42 TDs. 📊 101 career touchdowns – That’s not a typo. Nobody could stop him. Nobody could even slow him down. Absolute dog. Where does Woodhead rank among the best D2 players ever? Drop your thoughts below. #D2Football #DannyWoodhead #HarlonHill
D2 College Football Spotlight119,012 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
![We’re heading to Kansas City for the MIAA Championship [ Northwest Football and Pitt State Football ] Children’s Mercy Park. Two bitter rivals. Top-12 matchup. Everything at stake. #D2FB](https://image.24vids.com/tw-1989321498402725954/amplify_video_thumb/1989321395440951296/img/mSs7bWpGaeLUZwtA.jpg)
Future NFL backs Bernard Scott & Danny Woodhead clashed in a wild D2 playoff game. Abilene Christian led big in the 4th. Chadron stormed back to force triple OT. Final: Chadron State 76, Abilene Christian 73. The losing team scored 73 points...still the NCAA record. #D2FB
D2 College Football Spotlight24,022 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten
Spring has sprung. Some programs already out there grinding. Football is back. #D2FB
D2 College Football Spotlight29,764 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten
A moment only D2 football can create: UTPB Football linebacker @JOkell24 had a clear 85-yard TD, but at the 20-yard line he stopped—and handed it off to senior teammate Chris Hoad, giving him a touchdown in his final college game. #Brotherhood | #FootballIsFamily | #UTPB
D2 College Football Spotlight83,513 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
🦍 The Gorilla Walk Before every home game, Pitt State Football fans fill the walkway from the Plaster Center to Carnie Smith Stadium. The band leads. Chants rise. Players reach for the bronze Gorilla. The energy never fades. It’s a tradition that defines Saturdays in Pittsburg. ⬇️ - The team exits the Plaster Center and walks straight into a crowd that already knows the timing. The sound builds early...chants, music, drums...and the walkway closes in. Fans don’t watch from a distance. They lean in. Kids reach for high-fives. Alumni nod to familiar faces. At the end, every player touches the hand of the bronze Gorilla. That’s the last step before they enter The Jungle. Everyone in Pittsburg knows what comes next. 🔹 90 minutes before kickoff 🔹 Direct path from Plaster Center to Carnie Smith Stadium 🔹 2,000-lb. bronze Gorilla statue 🔹 Every player touches the statue before entering the tunnel entrance 🔹 Welcome to the Jungle plays as the team enters Carnie Smith 🔹 Pride of the Plains, cheer, and dancers perform at the tunnel 🔹 Tradition dates to early 2000s The Gorilla Walk is part of what defines Pitt State. It’s the first surge of energy on game day...when the team moves through the crowd and the whole place leans in. By the time they reach the tunnel, everyone’s already locked in. If you love college football, you need to see it for yourself this fall. #CollegeFootball #PittState #GorillaWalk #GamedayTraditions #TheJungle #D2Football
D2 College Football Spotlight66,888 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
![From D2 to the NFL: The Adam Thielen Story 🏈🔥 Zero stars. Zero D1 offers. Just a $500 scholarship to Minnesota State. No hype, no shortcuts—just a shot. And he made the most of it: 198 catches, 2,802 yards, 20 TDs at Minnesota State Football. [NFL Combine] Not invited. [NFL Draft] Undrafted. So he paid $275 just to get in front of scouts. That led to a rookie camp invite with the Minnesota Vikings, where he grinded every step of the way: ✅ Practice squad → ✅ Special teams → ✅ Starter → ✅ Pro Bowler By 2018, Adam Thielen was making history, becoming the first undrafted player with eight straight 100-yard games. His Vikings legacy: 🟪 3rd in receptions (534) 🟨 3rd in receiving TDs (55) ⬜ 4th in receiving yards (6,682) 🏅 All-Pro | 2× Pro Bowler No one hands you your shot. No one clears the path. But it’s there. Go take it. 💪 🎥 See where it all started at Minnesota State 👇 #D2Football | #AdamThielen | #NeverGiven #NFLDraft | #NFLCombine](https://image.24vids.com/tw-1894776777844650422/ext_tw_video_thumb/1894775862928474112/pu/img/CNU5j-FOnaFYu0kk.jpg)
From D2 to the NFL: The Adam Thielen Story 🏈🔥 Zero stars. Zero D1 offers. Just a $500 scholarship to Minnesota State. No hype, no shortcuts—just a shot. And he made the most of it: 198 catches, 2,802 yards, 20 TDs at Minnesota State Football. [NFL Combine] Not invited. [NFL Draft] Undrafted. So he paid $275 just to get in front of scouts. That led to a rookie camp invite with the Minnesota Vikings, where he grinded every step of the way: ✅ Practice squad → ✅ Special teams → ✅ Starter → ✅ Pro Bowler By 2018, Adam Thielen was making history, becoming the first undrafted player with eight straight 100-yard games. His Vikings legacy: 🟪 3rd in receptions (534) 🟨 3rd in receiving TDs (55) ⬜ 4th in receiving yards (6,682) 🏅 All-Pro | 2× Pro Bowler No one hands you your shot. No one clears the path. But it’s there. Go take it. 💪 🎥 See where it all started at Minnesota State 👇 #D2Football | #AdamThielen | #NeverGiven #NFLDraft | #NFLCombine
D2 College Football Spotlight79,360 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
🚦 The Craziest Tradition in D2 Football Once a year in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, traffic literally stops. 🚔 Henderson State Football and Ouachita Football, two rivals separated only by U.S. Highway 67, send the visiting team walking in full uniform across the street to play the Battle of the Ravine. Here’s why this rivalry is one of the most legendary in college football: 👇 🏈 Why the Battle of the Ravine Matters: 📚 Historic Rivalry: First played in 1895, this is the oldest NCAA Division II rivalry still being played today. All-time series: Ouachita Baptist leads 47-44-6 after 97 meetings. Longest win streaks: 🔴 Henderson State: 7 straight (1989–1995) 🟣 Ouachita Baptist: 7 straight (1977–1983) Six of the last seven games have been decided by one score or less, proving this rivalry is as competitive as ever. 🔥 Legendary Pranks: Both schools guard their campus landmarks from late-night sabotage—like Ouachita’s 🐯 Tiger statue (from getting painted red) or Henderson’s fountains ⛲️ (from getting dyed purple). Some of the most creative stunts include: ✈️ Crop-dusting a campus with red-painted marshmallows 🔥 Lighting rival bonfires a night early (one time by future Arkansas Governor Ambassador Mike Huckabee, a proud Ouachita alum) 🌟 Notable Alumni: 🏅 Cliff Harris (Ouachita): Before becoming a NQ CB Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Harris dominated in this rivalry. Today, the Cliff Harris Award is given annually to the best small-college defensive player in the nation. 🎩 Coach Gus Malzahn (Henderson): Former Auburn head coach, who played WR for the Reddies in the late 1980s and remembers battling Ouachita in a rain-soaked 3–3 tie. This isn’t just a football game, it’s small-town pride, history, and generations of tradition, all decided by a walk across the street. #D2Football | #BattleOfTheRavine | #MakeItYours Video Credit: Ouachita Baptist
D2 College Football Spotlight71,654 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
Matthew Judon: From D2 Star to NFL Elite Before he became a Pro Bowl pass rusher, Matthew Judon (Matthew Judon) dominated at GVSU Football, proving that D2 players can thrive at the highest level. His journey is one of perseverance, setbacks, and pure dominance—every D2 football fan’s pride. 🏈 High School Days – The Overlooked Underdog At West Bloomfield HS Football, Judon was a standout, but college scouts slept on him. 🔹 Smaller than most D1 defensive linemen 🔹 Concerns about his academic eligibility 🔹 Played at a lesser-known recruiting school The University of Buffalo showed some last-minute interest, but it was too late—Judon committed to Grand Valley State, where he built a legendary D2 career. 💪 The Grand Valley Grind Judon arrived at GVSU in 2010, redshirted, and got to work. But in 2013, disaster struck—a torn ACL just seven snaps into the season. Instead of folding, Judon attacked rehab like a man possessed: ✅ Lived in the weight room ✅ Became a film junkie, sharpening his football IQ ✅ Came back stronger and more dominant than ever 🔥 2014 – The Breakout Year Judon returned in 2014 and instantly became one of the most feared pass rushers in D2 football. 📊 72 total tackles 📊 19 tackles for loss 📊 8.5 sacks He earned First-Team All-GLIAC honors, setting the stage for a historic senior season. 🏆 2015 – A Historic Season Judon’s senior year at GVSU was legendary. He didn’t just lead Division II—he led ALL of college football in sacks. 🔥 20.0 sacks (most in the country, all levels) 🔥 23.5 tackles for loss 🔥 81 total tackles 🔥 3 forced fumbles 🏅 Gene Upshaw Award (Best D2 Lineman in the Nation) 🏅 First-Team All-American (D2CCA, AFCA, AP, 🏅 GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year He helped GVSU reach the NCAA D2 semifinals, recording 7 tackles in a 34-32 loss to Shepherd. 🚀 The NFL Journey – Carrying the D2 Banner Despite his dominance, NFL scouts still doubted his pro potential. But the Baltimore Ravens saw the fire and selected him in the 5th round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Since then, Judon has proven everyone wrong: 🏆 4× Pro Bowler (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022) 🏆 2× AFC Defensive Player of the Week 🏆 72 career sacks 🏆 2 double-digit sack seasons (2021, 2022) 🏆 Signed a 4-year, $54.5M deal with the Patriots (2021) Judon spent 2024 with the Atlanta Falcons and is currently a Free Agent. 🔥 A Legacy That Inspires D2 Players Everywhere Judon’s story is everything D2 football stands for—work ethic, toughness, and proving the doubters wrong. He went from an overlooked high school recruit to an NFL superstar. He didn’t wait for an opportunity—he created one. 💪 D2 players belong on the big stage. 💪 Matthew Judon is living proof.
D2 College Football Spotlight64,376 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
STILL HERE | The Story of La’Vontae Shenault Highly recruited with early production, Shenault watched his career stall after setbacks that nearly pushed him out of the game. Years later at NSU, he earned his way back onto the field and proved there was more to his story. #D2FB
D2 College Football Spotlight21,666 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten
Down 24–0, Benedict just kept swinging until it all came down to one snap. 4th and 10 at their own 14...and what happened next will forever be part of D2 football lore... Benedict 25, Wingate 24. First playoff win in program history. 🎥 Video Credit: HBCU Gameday
D2 College Football Spotlight15,398 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten
🏈 D2 LEGEND: XAVIER OMON 🏈 2007 DII Semifinals. Northwest Football up 27-16 on Grand Valley State in the fourth, pinned at their own 2. Then Xavier Omon put it away. 98 yards. One cut. History. ⬇️ Keep reading for more on his legendary career Career Highlights 🏆 2007 Harlon Hill Trophy Finalist (2,337 yards, 37 TDs) 🏆 First-Team All-American (2007) (AP, AFCA, Football Gazette, Daktronics) 🏆 Second-Team All-American (2006) 🏆 Honorable Mention All-American (2004, 2005) 🏆 MIAA Most Valuable Player (2007) 🏆 MIAA Hall of Fame Inductee (2018) 🏆 Northwest Missouri State M-Club Hall of Fame (2015) 🏆 Four-time All-MIAA Selection (2004–2007) Career Numbers 🔹 7,073 rushing yards (MIAA all-time leader, 4th in D2 history) 🔹 98 total TDs (3rd all-time in D2) 🔹 Four straight 1,500+ yard seasons (2004-2007) 🔹 1,271 carries (MIAA record) 🔹 590 career points (MIAA record) Season-by-Season Breakdown 📍 2004 (Freshman): 1,575 yards, 19 TDs, First NW freshman to hit 1,000 yards 📍 2005 (Sophomore): 1,643 yards, 14 TDs, led team to first of four straight title games 📍 2006 (Junior): 1,600+ yards, 20+ TDs, Second-Team All-American 📍 2007 (Senior): 2,337 yards, 37 TDs, First-Team All-American, Harlon Hill Finalist Draft & Pro Career 📍 2008 NFL Draft – Buffalo Bills, 6th Round (Pick 179) 📍 Other NFL Stops: Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns Where does Omon rank among the best D2 backs? ⬇️ #D2Football
D2 College Football Spotlight26,352 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
East Central Announces $2.3M Locker Room Renovation A surge of donor support has moved the Elvan George locker room rebuild from concept to reality. The ECU Tigers Football program is investing in a facility that respects its history and strengthens its foundation for what’s ahead. ⬇️ The Elvan George locker room is being reimagined for the next era of Tiger football. Thanks to transformational gifts from longtime supporters, East Central is building a space that reflects the program’s pride, vision, and culture...with construction already in motion. 🔹 Facility Features ➖ 140 state-of-the-art lockers with LED screens for personalized player info ➖ Refreshed athletic training room with hot and cold recovery tubs ➖ Expanded bathrooms and upgraded equipment room ➖ Team-building lounge with ping pong and pool tables ➖ Multiple high-definition TVs for sports viewing and gaming ➖ New wall graphics honoring ECU Football Hall of Famers 🔹 Project Details ➖ $2.3 million fundraising goal ➖ Supported by longtime donors and alumni ➖ Led by Head Coach John Litrenta and ECU Athletics ➖ Part of the university’s top facility priorities "This is monumental for our program and university," said Head Coach John Litrenta." A lot of credit goes to our administration who believes in our vision and direction. This will give us a great facility to call home for our current and future players that will set us apart. The tremendous support from our alumni and donors has been great to see!" The renovation reflects a clear investment in the student-athlete experience. It’s designed to elevate daily life for ECU players...through modern amenities, intentional team spaces, and a visible connection to the program’s history. Construction is already moving forward, backed by those who believe in what Tiger football is building. Video Credit: ECU Tiger Athletics #D2Football #GAC #ECUTigers #FacilityUpgrade #OnceATigerAlwaysATiger #BeTheStandard #TheHardWay
D2 College Football Spotlight19,510 Aufrufe • vor 11 Monaten
⬛ Austin Ekeler: From D2 to the League He ran for 5,857 yards at Western Colorado Football. Signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. Led the NFL in touchdowns twice. Now with the Washington Commanders and still producing strong. He’s one of the best to ever come out of Division II. ⬇️ Western State, now Western Colorado, was the only program that offered him a shot at running back. He stayed four full years and became one of the most productive players the RMAC has ever seen. He averaged 146 rushing yards and 1.6 touchdowns per game over 40 starts. He put together one of the strongest careers in D2 history...and he didn’t have to leave to do it. At Western, Ekeler dominated. He averaged more than 100 rushing yards per game across four seasons, led the country in all-purpose yards in 2015, and earned academic honors alongside his on-field production. By the time he wrapped up his senior year, he was a Harlon Hill finalist with nearly 6,000 rushing yards to his name. His work was undeniable. But he still didn’t get a Combine invite. The draft came and went. No calls. Then the Los Angeles Chargers brought him into camp on a rookie deal and gave him a shot. He took it from there. He made the roster as a rookie and started producing immediately. First as a change-of-pace option. Then as a third-down threat. Then as the guy. In 2021 and 2022, he led the NFL in total touchdowns. He stacked back-to-back seasons with more than 1,500 scrimmage yards and at least 15 total scores. He caught 107 passes in 2022, the most by any running back in Los Angeles Chargers history. The production hasn’t slowed down. In 2024, he signed with the Washington Commanders. He’s still outworking people. Division II didn’t slow him down. It prepared him. The hours. The discipline. The ability to carry the weight of a program while juggling everything else college throws at you. That’s what this level teaches. That’s why it sticks. There are players right now doing the same thing. Grinding through the spring, stacking film, putting together complete seasons. Some will make it. Not because someone finally believed in them, but because they never stopped believing in themselves. That’s what turns a D2 shot into an NFL career. ⬛ College Career 🔹 5,857 rushing yards, 63 total touchdowns 🔹 4× First-Team All-RMAC Sports 🔹 2013 RMAC Offensive Freshman of the Year 🔹 Led D2 in all-purpose yards per game (203.9) in 2015 🔹 2016 Harlon Hill Trophy Finalist 🔹 First-Team Academic All-America (CoSIDA) 🔹 RMAC Academic Player of the Year (2014) 🔹 2018 Western Colorado Alumni Award of Excellence ⬛ NFL Career 🔹 Signed by Los Angeles Chargers in 2017 (UDFA) 🔹 NFL leader in total touchdowns: 20 (2021), 18 (2022) 🔹 Only player with 10+ rush and 5+ receiving TDs in back-to-back seasons since Marshall Faulk 🔹 One of two UDFAs with 1,500+ scrimmage yards and 15+ TDs in two straight years (with Priest Holmes) 🔹 107 catches in 2022, most by a running back in Los Angeles Chargers history 🔹 PFF Second-Team All-Pro (2019) 🔹 NFL Top 100: Ranked #21 in 2023 🔹 AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 17, 2022) 🔹 Over 7,000 scrimmage yards and 70+ career touchdowns 🔹 Signed with the Washington Commanders in 2024 ⬛ Off the Field 🔹 Owns more than 115 rental properties in Colorado and Missouri 🔹 Built the Eksperience app to connect athletes and fans 🔹 Co-founded Gridiron Gaming Group 🔹 75+ endorsement deals (Adidas, Chipotle, Frito-Lay, more) 🔹 Founded the Austin Ekeler Foundation in 2021 🔹 Former host of “Ekeler’s Edge” with Yahoo Sports Ekeler’s story isn’t rare because he came from Division II. It stands out because he stayed in it, believed in it, and maxed it out. That’s what this level does when the right player buys in. Who’s next? #D2Football #AustinEkeler #WesternColorado #RMAC #NFL #Undrafted #Division2 #D2Built #D2ToTheLeague
D2 College Football Spotlight19,281 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
![Late October Football. Chill in the air. High stakes football. Keep an eye on these matchups⤵️ [Ferris St. Football|GVSU Football] [Northeastern State Football|UCO Football] [Northern State Football🐺 🏈|MSUM Dragon Football ] [West Alabama FB|#DSUFamily] Who else deserves a spotlight this week? #D2CollegeFootball](https://image.24vids.com/tw-1981359701829808305/amplify_video_thumb/1981353542821527552/img/fKFUshXxaaExJ7tu.jpg)
Late October Football. Chill in the air. High stakes football. Keep an eye on these matchups⤵️ [Ferris St. Football|GVSU Football] [Northeastern State Football|UCO Football] [Northern State Football🐺 🏈|MSUM Dragon Football ] [West Alabama FB|#DSUFamily] Who else deserves a spotlight this week? #D2CollegeFootball
D2 College Football Spotlight12,992 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten
𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 Shane Fredrickson DB | Northwest Missouri State #D2FB
D2 College Football Spotlight10,325 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten