Four members of the Holy Cross football team earned 2021 Division I All-New England honors, as announced by the New England Football Writers' Association. Senior defensive lineman Benton Whitley, junior linebacker Jacob Dobbs, senior defensive back John Smith and senior offensive lineman John Brekke were among 33 players from across New England named to the squad, which will be honored at the New England Football Writers' Banquet on Dec. 9. The team honors the best Division I FCS and FBS players by position in New England from the 2021 season.

The four honorees were the second-most of any school in New England.

Whitley, a three-time All-Patriot League first team selection, has totaled 49 tackles this season, including 29 solo tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss. He has tallied 4.5 sacks on the year, along with six quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.

This season, Dobbs is tied for third among all FCS players with 130 tackles on the year, and ranks tied for fourth with 71 solo tackles. He is additionally responsible for 17.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks this year. He was recently named the Patriot League's Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented to the top defensive player at the FCS level.

Smith, now a two-time All-Patriot League first team selection, led the Patriot League with five interceptions on the season; he additionally totaled six pass breakups, 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a quarterback hurry.

Brekke was a key part of an offensive line that has allowed the Crusaders to lead the Patriot League with an average of 33.6 points per game. Holy Cross has averaged 410.5 yards per game, including a league-best 207.3 rushing yards per game. Brekke became a first-time All-Patriot League selection after he was a first team honoree this fall.

Holy Cross won its first-ever NCAA D-I football championship subdivision (FCS) playoff game with a 13-10 victory over Sacred Heart on Saturday, Nov. 27. The Crusaders will face fifth-seeded Villanova in the second round of the FCS playoffs on Friday, Dec. 3. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Villanova Stadium.

2021 New England Division I All New England Team

Defensive Line
Benton Whitley, Sr., College of the Holy Cross
Josiah Silver, Fr., University of New Hampshire
Clay Patterson, So., Yale University
Travis Jones, Jr., University of Connecticut

Linebacker
Jacob Dobbs, Jr., College of the Holy Cross
Jackson Mitchell, So., University of Connecticut
Jalen Mackie, Sr., Dartmouth College
Ray Miller, Gr., University of Maine
Ryan Saddler, Sr., Bryant University

Defensive Back
Josh DeBerry, Jr., Boston College
Salaam Horne, Sr., Sacred Heart University
John Smith, Sr., College of the Holy Cross
Rodney Thomas Sr. Yale University

Quarterback
EJ Perry* Sr. Brown University

Fullback
Joey Kenny, Sr., University of Rhode Island

Running Back
Patrick Garwo III, So., Boston College
Malik Grant, Jr., Sacred Heart University
Ellis Merriweather, Jr., University of Massachusetts
Aaron Shampklin**, Jr., Harvard University

Wide Receiver
Jacari Carter, Fr., Merrimack College
Zay Flowers, Jr., Boston College
Tyshaun James, Sr., Central Connecticut State University
Wes Rockett, Jr., Brown University

Tight End
Tyler Roberts, Jr., Merrimack College

Offensive Line
John Brekke, Sr., College of the Holy Cross
J.D. DiRenzo, Gr., Sacred Heart
Jake Guidone, Gr., Dartmouth College
Zion Johnson, Gr., Boston College
Clay LeGault, Gr., Merrimack College
Christian Mahogany So. Boston College

Punter
George Georgopoulos, Jr., University of Massachusetts

Kicker
Jonah Lipel, Jr., Harvard University

Return Specialist
Devin Young, Sr., University of Maine

*2019 selection
**2018 Selection