Hafner Named to 2024 Preseason All-PFL Team
Valparaiso University football redshirt senior defensive lineman Sam Hafner (Green Bay, Wis. / De Pere) received recognition on Wednesday as he was named to the Preseason All-Pioneer Football League Team, as released by the league office in advance of the 2024 campaign.
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.
In addition, the PFL released its 2024 preseason poll this week. Drake was picked to repeat as league champion, followed by St. Thomas and Davidson in the top three. The Beacons were projected to finish 10th, based on a survey of the league’s head coaches.
Valpo players reported to fall camp on Tuesday and the first official practice took place on Wednesday. The upcoming season marks the 32nd of the Pioneer Football League, which will feature 11 teams each playing an eight-game schedule to determine the league champion and recipient of the automatic NCAA FCS Playoff berth. The Valpo season kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 31 at UNI.
Pioneer Football League
2024 Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Team Points
1. Drake (8) 98
2. St. Thomas (1) 87
3. Davidson (1) 81
4. Butler 72
5. San Diego (1) 67
6. Dayton 49
7. Presbyterian 39
8. Marist 37
9. Morehead State 35
10. Valparaiso 22
11. Stetson 18
• First-place votes in parentheses.
• 10 points awarded for a first-place vote,
with one point less for each succeeding
place. (Maximum score = 100)
• Coaches were not allowed to vote for their
team.
2024 All-Pioneer Football League Preseason Team
Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown
OFFENSE
WR Dominic Kibby (1) Presbyterian 6-1 175 Jr. Catonsville, Md.
WR Ryan Upp (1) Morehead State 5-10 175 Sr. Leesburg, Va.
WR Mitchell January (2) Drake 6-1 182 Jr. Richfield, Minn.
QB Luke Bailey (2) Drake 6-2 190 Gr. Lemont, Ill.
RB Mari Adams (2) Davidson 5-10 210 Jr. Shelby, N.C.
RB Hope Adebayo (2) St. Thomas 5-8 216 Sr. St. Paul, Minn.
FB Joey Suchy (1) Butler 6-0 224 Jr. Mayfield Heights, Ohio
AP Ryan Upp (2) Morehead State 5-10 175 Sr. Leesburg, Va.
TE Worth Warner (1) Presbyterian 6-4 215 5th Raleigh, N.C.
OL Dylan DeMaison (1) Dayton 6-2 296 RSr. Cincinnati, Ohio
OL Adam Dolan (1) Butler 6-8 310 RJr. Clarkston, Mich.
OL Malik McDaniel (2) Davidson 6-1 295 Sr. Bartlett, Tenn.
OL Ross Palmer (1) Drake 6-6 387 Gr. Waukee, Iowa
OL Alec Rasmussen (1) St. Thomas 6-7 307 Sr. Wayzata, Minn.
DEFENSE
DL Finn Claypool (1, DPotY) Drake 6-1 232 RJr Des Moines, Iowa
DL Sam Hafner (1) Valparaiso 6-2 260 RSr. Green Bay, Wis.
DL Malachi Cooper (2) San Diego 6-4 260 Sr. San Diego, Calif.
DL Julian Rawlins (1) Davidson 6-2 225 Sr. Huntersville, N.C.
LB Andrew Martin (H) Stetson 6-1 221 So.
LB Aiden McKinley (H) Dayton 6-2 221 RJr. Louisville, Ky.
LB Alex Herriott (1) Presbyterian 5-11 210 Sr. Hanahan, S.C.
LB Chase Lyons (H) San Diego 6-4 224 Gr. Aurora, Colo.
DB Nick Bafia (1) Butler 6-1 190 Sr. Naperville, Ill.
DB Jihad McCall (2) Morehead State 6-1 190 RSr. Jersey City, N.J.
DB Eric Haney (1) San Diego 5-10 180 Gr. Peoria, Ariz.
DB Daniel Carter (2) Davidson 6-2 210 Sr. Denver, N.C.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK Shane Dunning (1) Drake 6-0 212 Gr. Muskego, Wis.
P Shane Dunning (2) Drake 6-0 212 Gr. Reston, Va.
RS Tristan Shannon (H) Marist 5-7 183 5th Bowie, Md.
LS Brett Welsing (2) Drake 6-3 233 Jr. De Pere, Wis.
Symbols in parentheses: (1) was a First Team All-PFL selection in 2023; (2) was a Second Team All-PFL selection in 2023; (H) was an Honorable
Mention All-PFL selection in 2023.