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Chester's Berner named college freshman All-American

SIU-Carbondale redshirt freshman Jordan Berner was one of two Salukis named freshmen All-Americans by sportswriter and college football analyst Phil Steele on Dec. 20.

Berner, a former Chester Yellow Jacket, started all 11 games for SIU at defensive end as a redshirt freshman, recording 26 tackles (including 2.5 for loss) and a sack. He also had one quarterback hurry.

The 6-foot-6, 260-pound Berner had his most productive game of the season against then-No. 20 Northern Iowa in Week 4, recording six tackles (four solo). He followed up with four tackles (three solo) the next week against No. 9 South Dakota State, including his lone sack of eight yards.

An All-State honoree as well as a two-time All-South and two-time Black Diamond Conference MVP for the Yellow Jackets, Berner finished his Chester career with 310 tackles, nine interceptions and 3.5 sacks defensively.

The other SIU freshman earning Steele's praise is Fort Pierce, Florida, defensive lineman Anthony Knighton.