December 21, 2022

Jackson Filer tabbed DI Defensive Player of the Year

Charlotte, NC - Iowa Western's Jackson Filer has been named the 2022 NJCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year.

Over 12 games, Filer was a key piece of Iowa Western's "Darkside" defense which only allowed 10.6 points per game and 185.0 yards per game this season. Filer, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, completed the season leading the nation with 15.5 sacks with 113 sack yards while also adding 56.0 total tackles, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Filer concluded his career in Council Bluffs as Iowa Western's career leader in sacks.

Filer's defensive efforts helped the Reivers to claim the No. 3 ranking in the final regular season poll and earn a spot in the NJCAA Division I Football Playoff for the second consecutive year. In the semifinal contest. Iowa Western traveled to face No. 2 Northwest Mississippi in Senatobia, MS. In the 33-12 Reiver victory, Filer posted two tackles, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Iowa Western faced top-seeded Hutchinson (KS) in the 2022 NJCAA Division I Football Championship game on December 14 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, AR. The Reivers stunned the Blue Dragons in a 31-0 victory. Filer contributed one tackle, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble in the national title contest.

In addition to the NJCAA DI Football Defensive Player of the Year award, Filer's season accolades include NJCAA Division I All-America First Team selection, Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) All-Conference, and ICCAC Defensive Player of the Year.

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