Patrick O'Connell, Eric Stevenson and Tyler Sigler named preseason All-Americans by D3football.com

Wheaton, Ill. – Three members of the Wheaton Thunder football team were named to the 2018 D3football.com Preseason All-America Team on Monday. Seniors Patrick O'Connell, Eric Stevenson and Tyler Sigler each earned the preseason recognition from the website.

O'Connell picked up First Team preseason All-America honors at defensive tackle. A two-time All-North Region selection by D3football.com, O'Connell recorded 8-1/2 tackles for loss (-34 yards) in 2017, including five quarterback sacks (-27 yards) and 26 total tackles. A two-time All-CCIW selection, O'Connell has 20.5 career tackles for loss (-91 yards) in two seasons with the Thunder. He has registered 62 total tackles, including 12 sacks (-70 yards).

Stevenson was tabbed as a preseason Third Team All-American at linebacker on Monday. An All-North Region selection in 2017, Stevenson led the Wheaton defense with 85 total tackles, including 47 solo stops. He made nine tackles for loss (-23 yards) in the campaign, including 1-1/2 sacks (-8 yards). He has twice led the Thunder defense in total tackles, registering a team-high 100 tackles in 2016. In three seasons with the Thunder, Stevenson has made 195 total tackles, including 110 solos. He has 17.5 career tackles for loss (-50 yards), nine pass deflections and four interceptions (-112 yards).

Tyler Sigler, a defensive back, also earned Third Team preseason All-America recognition from the website. Sigler missed most of 2017 due to injury and in 2016, his last full season, Sigler picked up All-North Region recognition. He made 46 total tackles in 2016, playing at both safety and cornerback. He registered 34 solo tackles that season and ranked second on the Thunder defense with 11 passes broken-up, snatching two interceptions. Sigler has 91 career tackles in his Thunder career, including 56 solo stops. He has seven interceptions with 23 passes broken up in his career.

Wheaton, ranked 18th in the preseason D3football.com Top-25 Poll, opens the 2018 season September 1 at home against Monmouth College.

Originally published by Wheaton College Athletics: /news/2018/7/30/patrick-o-connell-eric-stevenson-and-tyler-sigler-named-preseason-all-americans-by-d3football-com.aspx