Linfield football had 153 All-Americans entering the 2022 season. Matt Metcalf's name will now join that list of Wildcat greats as the graduate student center was named a First Team selection on the 2022 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III All-America Teams, announced Tuesday.
 
One of five offensive linemen on the AFCA All-America First Team, Metcalf spearheaded an experienced group in the trenches. Linfield ranks No. 5 in Division III in scoring offense, averaging 44.7 points per game. The Wildcats also rank eighth in the country with a .537 third down conversion percentage and allowed 24 sacks in 11 games.
 
Behind a veteran O-line, Linfield scored 66 touchdowns, 23 coming on the ground and 36 through the air. The 'Cats piled on 158.3 rushing yards and 277.3 passing yards per game, averaging 435.5 yards of total offense on the season.
 
With a three-time First Team All-Northwest Conference honoree in Metcalf anchoring the offense, Linfield (9-0, 7-0 NWC) completed the program's 21^st unbeaten regular season on the way to claiming the Wildcats' 38^th NWC title and 31^st won outright. The team beat Pomona-Pitzer, 51-24, in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs before seeing its season come to an end following a 30-13 second-round home loss to Bethel.

Metcalf extends Linfield's streak to 15 straight seasons with an All-American. The 'Cats have had at least one player earn All-America honors in every season dating back to 2007.