WACO, Texas - Humboldt State sophomore running back Ja'Quan Gardner (Ceres, Calif./Central Valley HS) was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America Team Thursday, adding to his already impressive list of postseason honors.

The AFCA All-America team consists of 11 offensive and defensive representatives and three specialists. Award recipients are chosen exclusively by coaches.

"Ja'Quan is very deserving of this honor," said Head Coach Rob Smith. "He is the third player from Humboldt State in the last five years. This is a very prestigious All-America team. They select just the first team; no second team or honorable mention. We are very proud of Ja'Quan and his accomplishments."

Gardner was the only Great Northwest Athletic Conference representative on the list and was one of five underclassmen selected. He is the third AFCA All-America Team selection in the last five years – defensive lineman Alex Markarian (2014) and Taylor Boggs (2010) were also selected to the exclusive group.

The Ceres, Calif., native was arguably one of the nation's top football players during the 2015 season. Gardner was tabbed a Harlon Hill finalist, a trophy awarded to the nation's most valuable player, and earned GNAC Offensive Player of the Year and D2CCA All-Region accolades.

Gardner was a five-time conference player of the week and was a unanimous First Team All-GNAC selection. He compiled 200-plus rushing yards in six games, including rushing for a record-breaking 305 yards against Azusa Pacific.

He broke the GNAC single-season records for carries (337) and rushing yards (2,266).