The awards for Linfield University senior Blake Rybar continue to roll in. The linebacker from of Monroe, Washington, was named this week as a second team preseason All-American by D3football.com.
 
Rybar has been a steady force for the Wildcats defense, appearing in 10 games during the 2022 season and leading the defense with 67 total tackles, including 48 unassisted. He also contributed 3.5 sacks that were a part of his 13 total tackles for loss over the past season.
 
Following the conclusion of season, Rybar was named a third team All-American by D3football.com along with being honored as the 2022 Northwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He received NWC Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week on three occasions.

Rybar also garnered All- Div-III First Team 2023 preseason honors from Lindy's Sports magazine, which ranked the Wildcats No. 15 in its preseason Divison-III Top 25 thanks to a defense anchored by the senior leader of Linfield's "Linebacker Corps."
 
The Wildcats enter the 2023 season ranked No. 7 in the D3football.com preseason poll and will open the season on the road against Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT.