FHSU Athletics
Fort Hays State's Shane Watts and Myles Menges have been named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Team. The Elite 100 Team is the D2Football.com version of an All-America team, selected by staff with input from head coaches and professional football scouts. Watts and Menges have already raked in multiple All-America honors for their performances in 2024, helping the Tigers to a strong 8-3 season.
Both Watts and Menges were named to the Squad portion of the Elite 100 Team, Watts at running back and Menges on the defensive line. The team represents the top 100 players in Division II. Included are selections for first and second team offense, defense and special teams as well as 25 "squad" players for both offense and defense. Squad players are equivalent to honorable mention in similar post-season award lists.
Watts ranked fourth in NCAA Division II for total rushing yards (1,303) and all-purpose yards per game (160.8). He ranked seventh in points per game (9.3), eighth in total touchdowns (17) and 10th in total points scored (102). He produced the 20th 1,000-yard rushing season in FHSU and first since Kenneth Iheme in 2017. The 1,303 rushing yards ranks sixth for a season in FHSU program history.'
Menges was the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. He finished the season with 27 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His most impressive stat was 11 pass breakups by batting down several passes at the line of scrimmage. He led all defensive linemen in NCAA Division II by a landslide, the only one to reach double figures, and it ranked 16th nationally all behind defensive backs, which dominate the category.
This was Watts' fourth All-America honor for the season, also receiving honors from D2CCA (Second Team), AP (Second Team), and Don Hansen Football Committee (Second Team). This was Menges' third All-America honor for the season, also receiving honors from the AFCA (First Team) and Don Hansen Football Committee (Honorable Mention).