Senior standout Blake Rybar becomes the most recent Linfield University football player to be named a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
 
Rybar captained the Wildcats' defense and has been named Northwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons. He also earned first-team All-NWC and a D3football.com All-Region 6 second-team all-defense selection.
 
The Monroe, Wash., native finished the 2023 season with 46 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss and an interception. The Linfield defense gave up the least amount of points in the NWC at 16 points per game.
 
Rybar extends Linfield's streak to 16 straight seasons with an All-American and is the 24th all-time multi-All-American in program history. The 'Cats have had at least one player earn All-America honors in every season dating back to 2007.