Tuesday, August 1, 2023
by St. Thomas Athletics Media Relations

ST. PAUL, MINN. – The University of St. Thomas football season is officially just around the corner. With practices set to start over the weekend, Tommie wide receiver Andrew McElroy made headlines Tuesday evening. The junior was selected for the 2023 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team, presented by FCS Ground, becoming the first St. Thomas preseason All-American in the DI era.

McElroy garnered Third Team Preseason All-America honors after a breakout sophomore season in 2022. A First Team All-Conference selection in the Pioneer Football League (PFL), McElroy appeared in all 11 games for the Tommies as a wide receiver and kick returner. In 11 games, he accumulated 1162 all-purpose yards between receptions and kick returns, including 717 receiving yards with seven receiving touchdowns. He was named the PFL Offensive Player of the Week after putting together the conference's only 300 all-purpose yard game against San Diego on October 29, 2022, and was the only unanimous selection for the All-PFL team at the conclusion of the season.

In total, 107 student-athletes from 52 schools and 13 FCS conferences were honored Tuesday morning, including McElroy, who is the first ever St. Thomas Preseason All-American in the DI era in any sport. Additionally, he was the lone student-athlete honored from the PFL.

McElroy and the Tommies will officially open the season on Saturday, September 2, when they host Black Hills State at O'Shaughnessy Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT in St. Paul, Minnesota.