SAINT PETER, Minn. — Gustavus football wide receiver Jake Breitbach was honored as an Associated Press (AP) Division III All-American, the organization announced Friday morning. Breitbach is one of six wide receivers to earn the distinction, and was named to the Second Team. He is just the second Gustie to receive All-America honors from three separate organizations in the same season, joining Hall of Fame kicker Ryan Boutwell who earned three All-America awards in 1997. Breitbach is the first Gustie since Isaac Sieling (2004) to receive recognition from the Associated Press. 

Breitbach solidified himself as one of the nation's top wide receivers this season, leading the Gustavus offense with record numbers in his senior year. Breitbach finished the regular season with 1,599 receiving yards, 110 receptions, and 13 receiving touchdowns. He posted four games with 200 yards or more and eight with more than 100 yards, and finished the regular season second in all NCAA Divisions (FBS, FCS, DII, DIII) for receiving yards per game (159.9), receptions per game (11.0), and total receiving yards (1,599). In the ninth game of the season, Breitbach broke two program records, passing a 16-year old record for single season receptions with 104, and an eight-year old record for single season receiving yards (1,518). Breitbach also shares the program record for receiving touchdowns in a single game (four) which he collected in the first game of the season. In conference play, Breitbach led the league with 82 catches for 1,140 yards and eight touchdowns in MIAC contests. He now ranks fourth in recorded conference history for single-season MIAC receptions (82), yards (1,140), and receiving yards per game (142.5). Breitbach became the first player in recorded MIAC history to tally five straight 100-yard receiving games against conference opponents and tied the single-season record for 100-yard receiving games in league play with six in 2023. He was named the conference's Offensive Player of the Year, and is the first Gustie to ever earn the honor, and is just the second wide receiver in the last decade to receive an individual MIAC postseason award. Breitbach also finished as a top-five finalist for the 2023 Gagliardi Trophy, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding NCAA Division III football player and recognizes excellence in athletics, academics, and community service. Breitbach is the first Gustie in program history to be named a semifinalist or finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, which was first awarded in 1993. Breitbach capped his senior season with All-America recognition from the AFCA, D3football.com, and the Associated Press.

Breitbach was joined by Saint John's tight end Alex Larson as the only two AP honorees from the MIAC.