Five Beacons Honored on Phil Steele Preseason All-PFL Teams
Valparaiso University football redshirt senior defensive lineman Sam Hafner (Green Bay, Wis. / De Pere) continued to add to his preseason recognition as Phil Steele released the publication’s Preseason All-Pioneer Football League teams. Hafner represented Valpo on the first team, while fifth-year senior offensive lineman Carter Woody (Fort Mill, S.C. / Charlotte Catholic), senior defensive back Max Franco (La Habra, Calif. / La Habra), redshirt junior running back Ryan Mann (Vernon Hills, Ill. / Vernon Hills [Northern Illinois]) and junior long snapper Kevin Spelman (New Lenox, Ill. / Providence Catholic) were named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-PFL Third Team.
Also a member of the Preseason All-PFL Team released by the league office, Hafner moved up to the All-PFL First Team in 2023 after earning All-PFL Second Team status in 2022. He has also been tabbed to the Academic All-PFL First Team each of the last two seasons and was the team’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.
Hafner started all 11 games last season, finishing second nationally in tackles by a defensive lineman with 63, including 27 solos, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks. He forced two fumbles and hurried the quarterback on four occasions. Hafner ranked fifth in the league in sacks and was one of 10 PFL players with multiple fumble recoveries. Hafner was also recently recognized for his community service as a 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee.
Woody earned All-PFL Honorable Mention after starting all 11 games on Valpo’s offensive line in 2023. He also received the Sever Award, which is presented annually to the team’s top offensive lineman.
Mann garnered All-PFL Honorable Mention and Academic All-PFL Second Team a year ago after running for 487 yards on 106 carries and three touchdowns while adding nine receptions for 85 yards and one score. He was named the team’s Offensive Player of the Year.
Franco played in all 11 games last season and made seven starts en route to earning All-PFL
Honorable Mention. He posted 30 tackles including 22 solos, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks
while also recording eight pass breakups. He was named the team’s Most Inspirational Player.
Spelman was named All-PFL Honorable Mention as a long snapper following the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Also a standout on Valpo’s defensive line who appeared in 10 games and made nine starts a year ago, he was named to the 2022 Jerry Rice Award Watch List for the honor presented each season to the top freshman in FCS.
