Defensive lineman Liam Danitz has joined an elite group of Hope College football standouts as the 22nd in program history to receive All-America accolades.

The senior exercise science major from West Branch, Michigan (Ogemaw Heights), earned All-America First Team honors from the American Football Coaches Association for the 2025 season.

Danitz is one of 25 first-team selections in NCAA Division III and one of 11 on defense.

It is the third consecutive season the AFCA has chosen Hope standouts as All-Americans. The AFCA has selected an All-America team every year since 1945.

Danitz anchored a Hope defense that ranked among the best in Division III and the MIAA.

The Flying Dutchmen recorded three shutouts for the first time since 1978 and allowed only 14.45 points per game over 11 contests. Hope finished with a 9-2 record after reaching the second round of the Division III playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Danitz set career highs this season with sacks (16), tackles for loss (21), solo tackles (25) and total tackles (46). His 1.3 sacks per game during the regular season tied for the fourth-highest average in Division III and led the MIAA.

As a junior, Danitz earned All-America honors as a sprinter in the 200 meters from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. He finished fifth in the nation at the NCAA outdoor championships and seventh at indoor nationals.

The AFCA's Division III All-America Selection Committee is made up of head coaches representing each conference from each of the AFCA's seven districts, one of whom serves as a district chairman, along with another head coach who serves as the committee's chair. Coaches in each district rank the top players in their respective districts before a conference call between the district chairmen and the national committee chair, during which the All-America team is selected.