2000-2009 D2Football.com All-Decade Team

It may seem strange that a player who was listed among the position players on the D2Football All-Decade team is named as the Player of the Decade. However, when a less simplistic view is taken, it is easy to see why Grand Valley's Cullen Finnerty was, without a doubt, the D2Football Player of the Decade.

Finnerty graduated with 13,288 yards of total offense, which is good enough for third place all-time. He had 10,905 yards passing with 110 touchdowns and added 2,383 yards rushing. He had a career quarterback rating of 153.2.

But Finnerty's career is not defined by statistics - as good as they might be. His career is defined by winning. When he started at quarterback for GVSU, the Lakers averaged a 13-1 record. Finnerty is also one of three quarterbacks to win three championships in their Division II careers, joining Jeff Bentrim of North Dakota State and Cody Gross of North Alabama. His career record (52-4) compares favorably with Bentrim (47-5-1) and Gross (41-2).

Bentrim and Gross are both all-time greats of Division II and take up residence in the Division II Hall of Fame. Finnerty has already joined them as an all-time great. He should one day join them in the hall.

Curt Anes ended his career as one of the most revered offensive players in Division II history. He was a first-team All-American after the 2002 season but probably should have been awarded that distinction twice (2001 and 2002). The 2002 Harlon Hill Trophy winner accounted for 12,119 yards of total offense and 132 touchdowns in his career.

46 Games, 753-1,203 (62.6%), 10,768 Yards, 115 Touchdowns

One of four players to be named first team All-America three times, Germaine race graduated as the most prolific scorer in the history of college football as well as the leading rusher in Division II history with 6,985 yards. Twice a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, he was named the MIAA Offensive MVP in 2005 and 2006.

52 Games, 941 Attempts, 6,985 Yards, 109 Touchdowns

Danny Woodhead graduated as one of the most decorated players in Division II history and a three-time first-team All-American. He is still Division II?s all-time leading rusher with 7,962 yards and is one of three players to win the Harlon Hill Trophy more than once, taking home the award in 2006 and 2007.

42 Games, 1,156 Attempts, 7,962 Yards, 101 Touchdowns

David Kircus was, without question, the most dominating wide receiver of the decade. Extremely versatile and athletic, he was named first-team All-America twice (2001 and 2002) and was a focal point of one of the greatest offenses and teams in Division II history. His last career catch won the 2002 National Championship for the Lakers.

48 Games, 222 Receptions, 4,142 Yards, 76 Touchdowns

Because he played for a relatively new Division II team, Nate Washington never received the recognition he deserved in college. He still holds eight individual records at Tiffin, including a high mark of 299 yards receiving in a single game. He has had a productive NFL career after signing with the Steelers as a free agent in 2005.

44 Games, 212 Receptions, 4,214 Yards, 47 Touchdowns

Much to the disdain of opposing SAC coaches, a position change from linebacker to tight end enabled Carson-Newman's Leonard Weaver to become the dominant player of the decade at his position. Weaver has used his athleticism to transition to fullback in the NFL and is regarded as one of the best in the league.

28 Games, 44 Receptions, 1,014 Yards, 14 Touchdowns

Heath Benedict was twice named first team All-America (2006 and 2007) as well as twice being awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given to the top offensive lineman in the SAC. He was invited to the Senior Bowl after his senior season. Benedict tragically passed away days before the 2008 NFL Draft, where he was expected to be picked very high.

Looking at his dominating performance in the NFL has proved Jahri Evans? reputation as a dominating offensive lineman in Division II was well deserved. Evans was named first-team All-America in 2004 and 2005. He was twice named as a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award, which is given the nation's top lineman

One of the most dominating offensive linemen in MIAA history, Seth Wand has had a seven-year NFL career which began as the 75th overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. He was twice named first-team All-American and was named first-team all-conference his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.

If D2Football.com had existed in 1998 and 1999, it's possible that Roberto Garza would have joined four others as a three-time first-team All-America selection. By the time he was a senior in 2000, Garza had earned recognition as the best center in Division II. Garza has gone on to have a very productive NFL career.

Chris Kuper's career closely mirrors that of Bloomsburg's Jahri Evans.  Kuper was a first-team honoree in both 2004 and 2005 as well as being named the NCC Lineman of the Year. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft and he is currently starting at guard for the Denver Broncos.

Aaron McConnell was a three-time first-team All-American who possessed the best combination of size and athleticism of any defensive tackle to play in Division II in the decade. He was a four-time selection to the MIAA first team defense and was named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2003.

Games, 232 Tackles, 75 TFL, 22 Sacks

A dominating force on the interior defensive line, Keyonta Marshall is a big reason for GVSU's appearances in the2001, 2002, and 2003 championship  games. He was named GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year after his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons and was drafted in the 7th round of the 2005 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

56 Games, 230 Tackles, 69 TFL, 26 Sacks

Dave Tollefson was named a first-team All-American in 2005, the same year he was a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award. He was also the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year. Tollefson has been a member of the New York Giants roster and earned a Super Bowl ring.  He was drafted 253rd overall by the Green Bay Packers in 2006.

Games, 106 Tackles, 29 TFL, 21 Sacks

Had D2Football.com been created earlier, DeVonte Peterson would have likely earned more than the one first-team All-America nod he received. Peterson was a dominating force for Catawba and was named SAC Defensive Player of the Year in 1999. He signed with the Buffalo Bills after the 2001 draft and also played in NFL Europe and in the AFL.

41 Games, 155 Tackles, 87 TFL, 23 Sacks

A three-time first-team All-American (2003-2005), Digger Anderson set the standard of excellence for linebackers in the decade. He was also a three-time first-team selection to the NCC all-conference defense. He finished his career as North Dakota's all-time leader in solo tackles with 229 and was a Harlon Hill finalist in 2005.

48 Games, 366 Tackles, 41 TFL, 11 Sacks

Playing in a league and on a team known for great defensive play, John DiGiorgio stood out as the best linebacker in the GLIAC this past decade. He earned GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2005 and had an extremely successful career in the NFL that was unfortunately shortened by a knee injury.

48 Games, 462 Tackles, 22.5 TFL, 11.5 Sacks

Michael Eubanks was a two-time, first team All-American, earning those honors in 2006 and 2007. He graduated as the Division II career leader in sacks and was third in tackles for loss. The 2007 Harlon Hill finalist claimed the prestigious National Football Foundation Eddie Robinson Award and a $20,000 post-graduate scholarship.

47 Games, 240 Tackles, 69.5 TFL, 45 sacks

Brandon Carr was the best cornerback of the decade. He could cover well and played physical football. Carr earned first-team All-America status in 2006 and 2007. He has been a starter in the NFL since his rookie season after being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 5th round of the 2008 draft.

46 Games, 206 Tackles, 11 INT, 39 PBU

Honored as a first-team selection in 2005, Danieal Manning is one of the best all-around athletes to play Division II Football. A second round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2006, he is the only player in LSC history to score on a kickoff return, punt return, fumble return, interception return, and reception in a career.

30 Games, 159 Tackles, 11 INT, 13 PBU

After recording a record tying 14 interceptions, Dan Peters was named first team  All-America in 2006. He became the first player in collegiate football history to record back-to-back individual interception titles (2005 and 2006). Peters finished his career with 32 interceptions, which is good for second place all-time in Division II.

Games, 190 Tackles, 32 INT, 27 PBU

Brent Grimes was a first-team All-American in 2004 and 2005, graduating as the career leader in the PSAC with 27 interceptions. A fantastic return man for the Raiders, he finished his career with five combined touchdowns on kick returns and interceptions. Grimes is in the middle of a successful career with the Atlanta Falcons.

43 Games, 140 Tackles, 27 INT, 32 PBU

Bernard Scott was the key piece of one of the most explosive offenses in Division II history. In only two seasons at ACU, he rushed for 4,321 yards and accumulated 5,712 all-purpose yards, earning D2Football.com Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2008. Scott is truly the dual-threat of the decade in Division II.

36 Games, 5,347 Yards Rushing, 7,174 All-Purpose

Cameron Peterka is the only two-time first-team All-America selection at kicker. He graduated as the UND career leader in field goals made and attempted, PATs made and attempted, as well as points (347). He had 11 field goals of over 50 yards and was the kicker on UND's 2001 championship team.

65/94 FG, 69.1% FG

A model of consistency, Michael Koenen ranked among the top four in punting each of his last three seasons as Western Washington, including leading the nation as a sophomore. He also handled kicking duties, hitting on 43-of-74 attempts with 73 touchbacks. He is currently on the Atlanta Falcons roster.

191 Punts, 43.1 Ave