Don Hansen All-America Team

Grand Valley State placed six on the Don Hansen DII Football All-America team it was announced, including a national-best three first-team selections. Senior offensive tackle Quinton Barrow, junior linebacker Abe Swanson and sophomore cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean tallied first-team plaudits, while junior offensive guard Garrett Carroll, junior quarterback Cade Peterson and junior running back Tariq Reid earned honorable mention honors. 

Barrow, the GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year and a 2022 consensus All-American, was a key figure in a Laker offense that led the GLIAC in first downs (288), rushing offense (228.7), scoring offense (37.9), time of possession (32:13), total offense (449.7), redzone offense (.927) and team passing efficiency (163.04). The Laker offense scored 40 or more points seven times in 2022, including five consecutive games to end the regular season. Barrow, who was selected to participate in the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl, graded out at a 96.7 percent blocking efficiency overall during the 2022 season. GVSU, which rushed for 2,973 yards and 44 touchdowns, averaged 5.8 yards per rushing attempt. A three-year starter and All-GLIAC performer, Barrow was a 2022 Gene Upshaw Award finalist as the top interior lineman in the country.

Swanson, the GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year and a 2022 consensus All-American, tallied 95 tackles (35 solo/60 assisted), 9.5 tackles for loss (-33), 4.0 quarterback sacks (-17), picked off one pass, recovered a fumble, forced a fumble, and recorded nine QB hurries in 2022. He was the leader of a defense that led the nation in points allowed per game (10.3) and ranked among the national leaders and led the GLIAC in rushing defense (64.9 ypg), first downs allowed (154), redzone defense (.667) and total defense (264.1). GVSU limited opponents to just 13.5 first downs per game, including five that were held under 10 first downs in a game. Swanson was named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week twice during the season, once after recording seven tackles, 1.5 TFL (-6) and recovering a fumble at Ferris State, and a second time after his 12-tackle, 1.0 TFL (-5) and one interception performance versus Saginaw Valley State. Abe has been named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week five times in his career. 

Fourqurean notched 37 total tackles (28 solo/9 assisted), four interceptions and a GLIAC-best 14 pass break-ups. He was the leader of a defense that led the nation in points allowed per game (10.3) and ranked among the national leaders and led the GLIAC in rushing defense (64.9 ypg), first downs allowed (154), redzone defense (.667) total defense (264.1) and pass break ups. GVSU limited opponents to just 13.5 first downs per game, including five that were held under 10 first downs in a game. Fourqurean set a GVSU single-game playoff record and tied the GVSU single-game record with three interceptions versus Northwest Missouri State. In addition, Fourqurean was a CCA Super Region 3 First-Team performer.  

Peterson, a 2022 Harlon Hill Award nominee, completed 159-of-273 passes for 2,439 yards and 16 TDs, while rushing for 546 yards and seven TDs. He led the GLIAC in total offense (230.2 ypg), pass efficiency rating (162.1), yards per pass attempt (9.39) and yards per pass completion (15.3). Peterson was named the GLIAC Player of the Week twice during the 2022 campaign and has now earned the honor five times during his career. He turned in a GVSU and GLIAC record-setting performance at Michigan Tech, completing 18-of-19 passes for 304 yards and two TDs. His 94.7 percent completion percentage set a GLIAC and GVSU single-game record. In addition, Peterson rushed for 64 yards for 368 yards of total offense versus the Huskies. Peterson was an All-GLIAC Second-Team performer in 2021. 

Reid rushed 1,027 yards and 19 touchdowns on just 161 carries, while catching seven passes for 78 yards and one touchdown. He led the GLIAC in rushing yards (1,027) and yards per carry (6.6), while ranking second in the GLIAC in rushing TDs (19), and total touchdowns (20). Carroll started all 13 games on the offensive line and played a key role on a Laker offense that led the GLIAC in first downs (288), rushing offense (228.7), scoring offense (37.9), time of possession (32:13), total offense (449.7), redzone offense (.927) and team passing efficiency (163.04). The Laker offense scored 40 or more points seven times in 2022, including five consecutive games to end the regular season.