Freshman Noah Cracraft (photo by Frank Novak)

Posted: Nov 22, 2024

Six players named all-conference, Cracraft tabbed rookie of the year

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Simpson College football team capped off the 2024 season by placing six players on the All-American Rivers Conference Football Team, highlighted by two first team selections and inaugural Rookie of the Year award winner Noah Cracraft.

Junior linebacker CJ Hangartner and senior quarterback J Jensen III earned first team honors, while senior offensive lineman Joe Bream and freshman wide receiver Cracraft landed on the second team. Senior linebacker Zach Truitt and freshman punter Tanner Philpott received honorable mentions.

Cracraft becomes Simpson's first major award winner on the all-conference ballot since linebacker Michael Connor was named Defensive MVP in 2018.

The Storm finished the season with a 5-5 overall record and a 4-4 mark in conference play, their best performance since 2019. Simpson also celebrated an undefeated season at Bill Buxton Stadium, securing victories against Crown, Loras, Nebraska Wesleyan, Buena Vista, and Luther.

CJ Hangartner, First Team

Junior linebacker from Tucson, Ariz.
Earns his second straight first team honor
Tallied 57 tackles, including 29 solo
Ranked third in the league with 13.0 tackles for loss and six sacks
Had at least five tackles in all but two games
Forced two fumbles, snagged two interceptions, and had three pass breakups
Blocked a punt against Loras
Named A-R-C Defensive Player of the Week twice in September

J Jensen III, First Team

Senior quarterback from Katy, Texas
Led the A-R-C with 2,594 passing yards and 25 touchdowns
Recorded 21 touchdowns and 2,134 of his yards against A-R-C opponents
Completed 244 of 369 passes (66.1%)
Became Simpson's all-time leader in passing touchdowns (80)
Named A-R-C Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 30

Joe Bream, Second Team

Senior offensive line from Urbandale, Iowa
Protected the league's leading passer
Helped the Storm offense to 366.1 yards per game
Scored a pair of touchdowns at home against Loras and Luther
Helped Simpson gain 1067 yards on the ground

Noah Cracraft, Second Team and Rookie of the Year

Freshman wide receiver from West Des Moines, Iowa
Earns the league's inaugural Rookie of the Year award
Tied for the conference lead with 11 touchdowns in A-R-C play
Broke Simpson's rookie record for receiving touchdowns (14)
Totaled 791 yards in league games and 1048 overall
Was on the receiving end of a 97-yard touchdown, the longest offensive play in school history
Recorded multiple touchdowns in five games and surpassed 100 yards four times
Named to D3football.com Team of the Week on Oct. 1

Tanner Philpott, Honorable Mention