ROCKFORD, Ill. - Junior linebacker Joey Alvarez added another award to his collection on Monday afternoon when it was announced that he was named a Third Team Preseason All-American by D3football.com. Alvarez becomes the first Regent football player in the 26-year history of the program to be selected a D3football.com Preseason All-American.

Joey Alvarez looks to continue his dominance on the field this year for the third straight season. He began his collegiate career by being voted the NACC Freshman of the Year and earning Second Team All-NACC honors. As a sophomore, Alvarez was voted both Second Team All-Region by D3football.com and First Team All-NACC. Alvarez had double-digit tackles in eight games in 2024, including tying the school record with 19 tackles in a single game twice. He was also selected twice as both the NACC Defensive Player of the Week and to the D3football.com Team of the Week, becoming the first Regent to ever accomplish that feat. Alvarez ended the regular season leading the NACC in four categories and was in the top five in another two. He led the NACC in solo tackles (71), assisted tackles (66), total tackles (137) and forced fumbles (4). He also finished fourth in the conference in tackles for loss (13.0) and fifth in sacks (5.5). At the NCAA Division III level, Alvarez led the country in solo tackles per game (7.1) and total tackles per game (13.7) and was fifth in forced fumbles per game (0.4).

The RU football team opens its season at home on Saturday, September 6 at 1 PM against Beloit College. The Regents and Bucs will be playing in the Battle of the Rock River with the winner taking home the coveted Axe Trophy. Rockford currently has possession of the axe by virtue of its 43-17 win last year at Beloit.