ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Senior linebacker Joey Alvarez has been named a Third Team Preseason All-American for the second consecutive year by D3football.com. Alvarez became the first Regent football player a year ago to be selected as a D3football.com Preseason All-American.

Alvarez looks to have another breakout season after a successful first three years with the Regents. He began his career by being named NACC Freshman of the Year while earning Second Team All-NACC honors. He continued his success during his sophomore season, earning Second Team All-Region honors from D3football.com and First Team All-NACC honors. During his sophomore campaign, he was also selected as the NACC Defensive Player of the Week and named to the D3football.com Team of the Week, becoming the first Regent to earn that distinction.

Alvarez continued to build on that success during his junior season, breaking multiple program records. He broke the single-game tackles record twice, recording 20 tackles against St. Norbert on Oct. 25, 2025, before breaking his own record with 21 tackles against Wisconsin Lutheran in the season finale on Nov. 9, 2025. Alvarez is also the program's all-time leader in career tackles with 361 and will look to build on that record this season.

Last season, Alvarez led the NACC in total tackles (140), assisted tackles (83), and tackles per game (14.0). He also ranked second in the conference in solo tackles (57) and fumble recoveries (3). At the NCAA Division III level, Alvarez ranked sixth in fumble recoveries and second in total tackles.

The Regents open their season on the road on Thursday, Sept. 1, against Beloit College at 7 p.m. Rockford and the Buccaneers will compete in the Battle of the Rock River, with the winner taking home the Axe Trophy. Rockford currently holds the trophy after defeating Beloit, 19-15, a season ago. The Regents hold a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series.

D3football.com 2026 Preseason All-Americans