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Hampden-Sydney College senior All-American safety and team captain Will Pickren has been selected as the State Small College Defensive Back of the Year. The small college division includes all NCAA Division II, III/ NAIA/USCAA/NCCAA level football programs in Virginia. This is the second time in three years that Pickren has earned the honor, given by the Touchdown Club of Richmond, after receiving the award in 2021, as well. 

Pickren started all 10 games this season and led the team with 99 total tackles, including 40 solo and 59 assisted, 3.5 tackles for loss (13 yards), one sack (8 yards), two interceptions (0 return yards), four pass breakups, one fumble recovery-returned 33 yards for a touchdown-one forced fumble and one blocked kick (punt). He had at least 10 tackles in six games, including a season-high 17 tackles vs. Bridgewater (9/30), finishing third in the ODAC in tackles per game (9.9), fourth in total tackles and tied for seventh in interceptions. Pickren ranked 26th in NCAA Division III tackles per game. He recently was named First Team All-ODAC, becoming just the second four-time First Team selection during the 24-year tenure of retiring head coach Marty Favret. 

A 2022 First Team AP Division III All-American, Will completed his outstanding collegiate career with 366 tackles (10.5)-a new school record for the program-including 162 solo and 204 assisted, 18 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, 22 passes defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two blocked kicks (PAT, punt)-starting 34 of 35 career games. 

Pickren, along with the other honored players listed below, will be recognized during the broadcast of the Dudley and Lanier Awards presentation, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9.