CLEVELAND, Ohio (October 19, 2026) – This weekend, Phil Steele revealed its midseason picks for FCS All-America, naming University of North Alabama standouts Avery Howard and Xavier Johnson to the list.
 
Both players have had breakout seasons for the Lions, helping the team to a 4-3 record thus far and the best start in the program's short Division I history.
 
Howard ranks fourth in the nation in sacks with seven, averaging 1.0 per game. He also ranks seventh in tackles for loss with 11 this season. Those totals rank first and second in the UAC, respectively. The seven sacks have already set UNA's FCS single season school record and put him on pace for the all-time record of 11 set by Reginald Ruffin in 1994.
 
Howard also leads the Lions with 10 quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles while ranking fourth with 38 tackles and tied for fourth with two pass breakups.
 
Johnson is the fourth-leading receiver in FCS this season with 97.0 yards per game. Up until last week, Johnson averaged over 100 yards per game the entire first half of the season and was the top-ranked receiver in FCS for three straight weeks.
 
The Texas native became the first player in UAC history to win four freshman of the week awards. His name is expected to make the rounds for the Jerry Rice Award, which is given to the most outstanding freshman in FCS each season.
 
Both UNA players joined a list of 11 from the United Athletic Conference, establishing the UAC as one of the premier conferences in the country. The list also included four players from Tarleton State, three from Austin Peay, one from Central Arkansas and one from Abilene Christian.
 
The Lions are back in action Saturday for the first Homecoming game inside Bank Independent Stadium, taking place against Austin Peay at 6 p.m.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.