King and Dingle earn NJCAA All-American Honors

The Butler Grizzlies saw two players honored to the All-American teams that were announced by the NJCAA on Tuesday. Running Back Azhaun Dingle received second team honors while Wide Receiver and return specialist AJ King received an honorable mention offense nod as well as earning a second team special team honor, as the Grizzlies were represented by multiple players on the All-American list for the first time since 2014.

Dingle is the first Butler running back to receive an All-American nomination since Brock Sturges in 2019. The New Jersey native transferred to El Dorado from Tyler and had an instant impact on Brice Vignery's offense, emerging as one of the top running backs in the country. His 18 rushing touchdowns was tied for most in the nation with two other players, while his 1,195 yards was good enough for third in the country. He was second in the country in overall rushes, with 203, and his 99.6 yards per game was also good enough for third. He was a monster for the Grizzlies in the final stretch of the season, earning 100 or more yards in all of the final three games for Butler, including a monster 245 yard game against Ellsworth which also saw him score four touchdowns, and a 165 yard game in the Heart of Texas Bowl game against Kilgore.

AJ King struck fear in the heart of opposing defenses all season, establishing himself as one of the country's leading wideouts and one of the best returners in the country. King was the only player in the country to receive nominations for both offense and special teams. 

King, a Wichita native, finished with 54 receptions, earning him fifth in the country, while his 826 yards was enough for fourth. He also finished with nine offensive touchdowns, which was sixth in the nation.

King was an All Purpose machine, earning 200 or more all purpose yards in three games, including a 348 yard effort against Snow College that saw him score an 82 yard punt return for a touchdown. He had a 68 yard kickoff return against Iowa Central to set up a key touchdown in Butler's win against the Tritons, and he earned a 228 yard all purpose day against Highland. 

It's the third consecutive season a Grizzly wideout has appeared in the All-American teams, with last year's Darius Lassiter and 2021 spring wideout Eddie Lewis both earning honors.