CHARLOTTE - Following its second consecutive trip to the NJCAA Division I Football Playoffs and a No. 3 final postseason ranking, Northwest raked in six All-American selections, the NJCAA announced on Tuesday morning.

Quarterback Ren Hefley was the Rangers' only First Team All-American nod, but offensive lineman Jay Mickle, defensive lineman Jykeveous Hibbler and defensive back Byron "Tank" Pearson all received second team recognition. Additionally, receiver D.T. Sheffield and tight end Kevin Diaz earned Honorable Mention accolades, with Sheffield earning his second straight All-American nod.

For Northwest, this marked the most NJCAA All-Americans awarded in a single season since 1992, the Rangers' second national championship season. Northwest did have six players earn all-American recognition in 1999, but only four of those were from the NJCAA and two others were awarded honorable mention by the now-defunct JC Gridwire organization.

Hefley finished the season as one of the nation's top passers, throwing for over 2,400 yards and completing 61 percent of his passing attempts (209-343). The Little Rock native and current Middle Tennessee commit passed for 24 touchdowns against just seven interceptions, including a six-touchdown performance against Coahoma on October 13.

Hefley finished the season tied for the national lead in passing touchdowns (24) and ranked second in the nation in passing yards, joining Mississippi Gulf Coast quarterback Pat McQuaide in both categories. The former Presbyterian College transfer also finished fifth nationally with 206.3 passing yards per game.

Hefley concludes his Northwest career tied for fifth most completions in a single season, and his 60.9 completion percentage puts him fourth all-time in the career rankings and fifth in a single-season, overtaking Gardner Minshew in both categories.

In his three seasons at Northwest, Mickle became a mainstay on the Rangers' offensive front. The Picayune native appeared in all six games on the line during the shortened 2020 season, helping Northwest to the National Community College Football Championship, while playing in 10 of the Rangers' 12 games last season. This year, Mickle started in all 12 games, catching the attention of several Division I programs before recently committing to ULM.

Mickle is the first Ranger offensive lineman selected for NJCAA All-American honors since Ashton Gist in 2019.

Hibbler terrorized opposing offenses during his three-year stint in Senatobia, racking up 73 tackles, 24 tackles-for-loss and 15 sacks. This season was his most effective, as he collected 41 total tackles, 16.5 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks, ranking ninth in the NJCAA in TFLs and fifth in sacks.

Hibbler's eye-popping numbers caught the attention of countless Division I schools, including several in the Power 5. The Louisville native recently committed to NC State, lining him up to become the first Ranger to ever play for the Wolfpack.

Pearson was another playmaker on the defensive side of the ball during his three seasons at Northwest, slowly evolving into one of the most dangerous defensive backs in the nation. The Oxford native and Ohio commit was a thorn in the side of opposing receivers everywhere, collecting six of his nine career interceptions this season alone.

When he wasn't intercepting passes, Pearson was still successfully defending them, totaling 24 pass breakups throughout his career. Additionally, two of his aforementioned interceptions were returned for touchdowns, including a 70-yard pick-six in the Rangers' 2020 championship victory at Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Although he was the nation's leading receiver and a First Team NJCAA All-American last season, Sheffield was still snubbed by most Division I programs. This season, the Corinth native proved many doubters wrong, providing a 1-2 punch in the passing game with fellow receiver Jaycob Horn. While Sheffield didn't replicate his 1,000-plus yard numbers from last season, he was still just as effective in 2022, accounting for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns on 58 receptions. 

Sheffield was also just as dangerous on special teams, totaling 226 punt return yards on 20 attempts, earning both MACCC North Division Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Year awards. The recent Washington State commit concludes his stellar Northwest career ranking first in career receptions (135) and career receiving touchdowns (26), while finishing second in receiving yards behind Eric Smith (2,316; 1991-92).

Despite sitting out most of the final few games with an injury, there was no underestimating Diaz' impacts on the Northwest offense. The Houston product earned first team all-conference nods at the tight end slot and finished the 2022 season with 12 catches for 118 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Diaz, an Arkansas State commit, concludes his Ranger career with 36 receptions for 417 yards and four touchdowns. He is the first true Northwest tight end ever chosen for all-American accolades by any organization.

Northwest ended the 2022 season with a 10-2 record, capturing the program's first 10-win season since 2015. The Rangers have made the MACCC Playoffs every year since 2014 and have played in the NJCAA National Championship, NJCAA Division I Football Playoffs or an NJCAA sanctioned bowl game in five of the last eight seasons.