ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Three Drake football student-athletes were named to the Preseason All-Pioneer Football League Team, the league announced Wednesday (Aug. 2). A total of 11 Bulldogs were named to one of the three Preseason All-PFL teams by Phil Steele.

Drake defensive lineman Finn Claypool received a Preseason All-PFL honor after earning Freshman Defensive Player of the Year recognition in 2022. Playing for his hometown team, Claypool enjoyed an impressive redshirt freshman campaign. He finished third among league tacklers in both tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (8.0), ranking among the FCS' top 25 in each category last season. The Dowling Catholic graduate recorded 12 solo tackles for loss, and all eight of his sacks were solo stops during the 2022 campaign.
 
Poremba was primarily stationed at right tackle on Drake's stout offensive line. The Wildwood, Ill., native created lanes for Bulldog running backs while also providing time for Drake's quarterbacks to throw. Eli Stewart got the Preseason-All-PFL nod at the fullback position. In 2022, Stewart was an All-PFL Honorable Mention.

The Bulldogs open the 2023 season on Sept. 2 at North Dakota with the home opener scheduled for Sept. 9 against Northwestern (Iowa).

2023 All-PFL Team
DL | Finn Claypool
OL | Jimmy Poremba
FB | Eli Stewart
 
2023 Phil Steele Preseason All-PFL
Defensive Player of the Year: Finn Claypool
 
First Team
DL | Finn Claypool
OL | Jimmy Poremba
FB | Eli Stewart
 
Second Team
OL | Parker Althaus
WR | Colin Howard
OL | Ross Palmer
WR | Trey Radocha
DL | Jake Shipla
 
Third Team
OL | Bennet Krebs
DB | Joey Lukrich
DB | Tony Graham