University of Rochester junior cornerback Jordy Tawa was named an NCAA Division III First-Team All-American by the Associated Press (AP) as announced by the publication on Thursday.
 
The 50th All-American in program history, Tawa nets his second All-America honor of the season, following another First-Team All-America selection by the America Football Coaches Association (AFCA) earlier this year. The junior is UR's first AP All-American since Brian Laudadio '92 in 1992 and is the first Yellowjacket to secure multiple All-America honors in the same season since Lance Ramer '01 in 2000.
 
I'm very proud of Jordy and what he accomplished this year," Head Coach Chad Martinovich said. "As a boundary corner, he was put on an island against the best receivers we faced throughout the year, and he played at a high level in big moments. He's a great player and person who is very deserving of this recognition."
 
Tawa started all 11 games for the Yellowjackets this season, tallying a team-high 13 pass breakups and seven interceptions, adding 42.0 tackles (26 solo), 3.5 tackles for a loss and one forced fumble. A First-Team All-Liberty League and D3football.com First-Team All-Region 2 selection, Tawa led the Liberty League and tied for first in NCAA Division III in both passes defended and interceptions, ranking top-five in both categories on a per-game basis.
 
In pass coverage, Tawa allowed just 12 receptions all year, facing a total of 38 targets, and just 13 over the 'Jackets' final six games, as opposing offenses shied away from challenging UR's top defensive back.
 
Tawa recorded an interception in each of UR's first five contests this year, extending his career-long streak to six games with his pick in Rochester's 2023 regular-season finale vs. Hobart, also tied for the longest such streak in program history. The Wilsonville, OR native's seven interceptions are also tied for the sixth-most in a single season in program history, while his 20 passes defended rank second.
 
Twice this season, Tawa earned D3football.com Team of the Week honors, becoming just the second player in program history to earn multiple Team of the Week honors in a single campaign. Tawa was selected following the 'Jackets' 28-6 win over Salve Regina, in which the junior had an interception, four pass breakups, tied for the second-most in a single game in program history, four tackles and a half tackle for a loss, as well as after UR's 14-7 win over RPI. Against the Engineers, Tawa recorded another interception and added six tackles (three solo).