WACO, Texas – Trinity University senior linebacker Caleb Harmel (Burton, Texas / Burton) has been named a First Team All-American for the 2022 season, as announced by the American Football Coaches Association.

Harmel led a Tiger defense that was among the best in NCAA III this season, ranking in the top 10 in several statistical categories including scoring defense, rushing defense, and total defense. He finished the year with a team-best 76 tackles that included 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Harmel also recorded his 200th career tackle during the season, becoming the 24th player in Trinity football history to reach the milestone.

This year's selection for Harmel is just the seventh time a Trinity football player has been named an AFCA All-American, and it is the first time since Jarrod Smith received the honor in 2003. Trinity Hall of Famer Marvin Upshaw was the program's first selection in 1967. John Beckwith and Paul Morris earned the honor in 1996 and 1997, respectively, followed by Trinity Hall of Famer Mike Burton in 1999 and Bill Smith in 2001.

Harmel was named to the All-SAA First Team for the second straight season and also made the D3football.com All-Region First Team for the second consecutive year. He was a D3football.com First Team Preseason All-American heading into this year, following his Fourth Team All-America selection by the organization after the 2021 season.

Head Coach Jerheme Urban led Trinity to its second consecutive Southern Athletic Association Championship and second straight NCAA Playoff appearance this season. The Tigers earned a postseason win for the first time since 2002, but were eliminated in the Second Round of the tournament. Coach Urban moved into second all-time at Trinity with his 61st victory in the opening round of the NCAA III Playoffs.