Sophomore defensive back Matt Jung was named the Associated Press (AP) Defensive Player of the Year. Jung was named to the First Team, and senior defensive lineman Caden DeWall joined him. Fifth-year wide receiver Joey Kidder was named a second-team All-American.
 
Jung's historic season saw him lead the nation with nine interceptions. He returned four for a touchdown, tying the Division III single-season record. He added two pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Jung led the team in tackles with 109, where 62 of them were solo. The Neenah, Wis. Native added 10 tackles for loss for a total of 43 yards and tallied 2.5 sacks.
 
DeWall led the nation with a Bethel single-season record of 21.5 sacks for a loss of 123 yards and 28.5 tackles for loss. He tallied 76 tackles on the year, 39 came as solo tackles. He added four fumble recovers, one forced fumble, seven QB hurries and blocked three kicks.
 
Kidder ranked fifth nationally with a single-season record 19 receiving TDs for the Royals. His 1,386 receiving yards were second nationally, doing so on 123 catches, ranking third nationally. In six games this year he reeled in 100-plus receiving yards and tied a single-game record four touchdown grabs twice this year.