Lupoli, Vassar earn All-American honors from Don Hansen Football Committee
WALTHAM, Massachusetts – Salvatore Lupoli Jr. was named to the Don Hansen All-American Second Team Defense, and Tajon Vassar (specialist) was named an Honorable Mention, the Don Hansen Football Committee announced this week.
Lupoli, the 2023 Northeast-10 MVP, becomes the first Falcon in more than 15 years to earn three different All-American honors in a single season. Lupoli previously earned All-American nods from the American Football Coaches Association and the D2 Conference Commissioners Association. Mackenzy Bernadeau '08, who played in the NFL for several years, earned for different All-American nods during his 2007 season at Bentley.
The Lupoli-Vassar duo were both named to the All-Super Region 1 by the D2CCA following the 2023 season, and they were both All-NE10 First Team honorees.
Vassar tied for the NE10 lead in interceptions with five this season. In the return game, his 33.5 yards per kick return led the nation. Vassar scored two touchdowns on kickoff returns this fall.
In addition to his All-NE10 First Team nod as a corner, Vassar was All-NE10 Second Team as a kick returner this season. Vassar is the first Falcon in the NE10 era to earn two All-Conference honors in one season.
Earlier this month, Lupoli was named to the D2football.com Elite 100.
Lupoli also received the Gold Helmet award from the New England Football Writers for best college football player (NCAA D-II/III) in New England. The Gridiron Club of Great Boston recently named Lupoli New England's Defensive Player of the Year (NCAA D-II/III).
Lupoli's record-setting 2023 not only included Northeast-10 MVP, but he was also named to the All-Super Region 1 First Team, and he was nominated for the Harlon Hill award for the NCAA D-II Player of the Year.
Lupoli received an official invitation to the Trillion FCS Bowl in Daytona Beach, Florida. That game hosts NFL scouts.
Lupoli led all NCAA D-II players in tackles per game (12.3) this season. Lupoli tied a school record with 123 tackles - a total that far and away led the NE10 – more than twice as many as the next conference player. He also had a conference-leading 12.5 tackles for a loss. Lupoli's 337 career tackles are the most in school history.
Lupoli and Vassar anchored a Bentley defense that ranked second in the nation for total defense with just 232.7 yards allowed per game. The Falcons' scoring defense ranked fifth in NCAA D-II, yielding only 13.8 points per game.