Official Release

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Wide receiver Yogi Flager and offensive lineman Grant Purlee each earned All-Pioneer Football League honors today. The 29th Annual All-PFL Teams included 61 student-athletes on first and second teams. An additional 90 student-athletes received honorable mention recognition.
 
Flager was one of four freshman to earn First Team All-PFL accolades. He led the Bulldogs in every major statistical category in terms of receiving. Over 11 games, Flager caught 48 passes for 774 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 16.3 yards per catch and a team-best 70.3 yards per game.
 
Flager caught a season-best 10 passes vs. Davidson for 68 yards while scoring two touchdowns. His first multi-TD game came in the home opener vs. DePauw with four catches for 95 yards and two scores. Flager impacted the Taylor win with five catches for 136 yards and a TD. He also posted 136 receiving yards at Dayton on six catches that included a touchdown. Within the league, Flager ranked third in receiving yards, fourth in receiving touchdowns and fifth in yards per reception.
 
Purlee helped Flager find success, playing as one of the top offensive linemen in the conference. A redshirt-senior from Fort Wayne, Ind., Purlee started in every game for Butler at right guard. He was part of a unit that helped the team rush for 174.5 yards per game and pass for 181. The Bulldogs ended the regular season ranked second in the PFL in rushing offense.
 
PFL awards will conclude tomorrow with the announcement of the 2021 Academic All-PFL honorees.
 
2021 Pioneer Football League Major Award Winners
Offensive Player of the Year: BJ Byrd, Morehead State
Defensive Player of the Year: Vaughn Taylor Jr., Morehead State
Special Teams Player of the Year: Mekhai Johnson, Marist
Freshman Offensive Player of the Year: Hope Adebayo, St. Thomas
Freshman Defensive Player of the Year: Luke Herzog, St. Thomas
Coach of the Year: Scott Abdell, Davidson
 
2021 All-Pioneer Football League First Team
WR Yogi Flager, Fairview Heights, Ill.
 
2021 All-Pioneer Football League Second Team
OL Grant Purlee, Fort Wayne, Ind.
 
2021 All-PFL Honorable Mention
DB Devin Aguilar, LB Jacob Cain, OL Gaven Johnson, DL Austin Korba, WR Johnny O'Shea, DB Connor Reid, TE Austin Schwantz, OL Trevor Scott, OL Skyler Spetter, K JJ Wadas.