GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Redshirt freshman defensive back C.J. Siegel has been named to the 2019 Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-American team on Wednesday. The La Crosse, Wis., native was selected to the fourth team, the first major postseason honor for Siegel.
 
This marks the third straight season a Fighting Hawk has been honored by the publication, with Siegel joining John Santiago (2017) and Noah Larson (2018) as selections.
 
Siegel, who entered the season as a reserve player, was thrust into a starting role following an injury to Evan Holm, but the redshirt freshman flourished for the Hawks. Siegel started all 12 games for UND; leading all defensive backs in tackles, pass deflections, and interceptions.
 
His 12 passes defensed ranked inside the top-50 among all defensive players in the FCS and cracked the top-10 among rookies. The two interceptions, both coming in a win over No. 12 UC Davis, tied for the team lead and were the first of his career.
 
In the game against No. 1 North Dakota State, Siegel finished with a career-high seven tackles and a pair of breakups before another multi-breakup game in UND's playoff clinching win over Southern Utah.
 
Siegel and the entire North Dakota defense will turn its attention to the Missouri Valley Football Conference for the 2020 season, opening the campaign against Valparaiso on Sept. 3 with first-year defensive coordinator Brett Holinka.