ODESSA, Texas (January 3, 2025) – Sophomore linebacker Tristan Exline has been named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Squad Team for the 2024 season.

The team includes first and second team selections for offense, defense and special teams along with 25 "Squad" players for offense and defense. Squad players are equivalent to "honorable mention" selections in similar national recognition lists.

Exline (Squad Defense) was a Lone Star Conference (LSC) Defensive Player of the Week, was the LSC Co-Linebacker of the Year, and was named first-team all-conference. Including UTPB's Bowl Game, Exline led the Falcons with 104 total tackles, including 60 solo tackles, and was second with 16 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Throughout 12 games, he reached at least eight tackles nine times and had at least two tackles for loss in five games. He also added one interception and one forced fumble. In NCAA Division II, Exline was tied for 22nd in solo tackles per game (5.0) and ranked 32nd in total tackles per game (8.7).

Exline had four tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss of eight yards, and 2.0 sacks in UTPB's season opener against Western New Mexico (Aug. 31), a performance which garnered him the first LSC Defensive Player of the Week award of the season. Two weeks later, Exline dominated with eight total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss of 12 yards, 1.5 sacks and an interception in UTPB's 67-14 win over Adams State (Sept. 14) before coming back strong the next week with 15 total tackles, 11 solo tackles, and 4.0 tackles for a loss of eight yards against Texas A&M-Kingsville (Sept. 21). Exline was named the inaugural Edgardo Madrid & Associates Men's Student-Athlete of the Month for September.

As the season progressed, Exline continued to be a force on defense, finishing with 11 solo tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in a 64-14 victory at Eastern New Mexico (Nov. 9). He then recorded 14 total tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in UTPB's regular-season finale at Sul Ross State (Nov. 16). It was his fourth game this season and third game in a row with double-digit tackles. Lastly, in UTPB's heartbreaking 39-37 double overtime loss against No. 25 Central Missouri in the 2024 Heritage Bowl (Dec. 7), Exline recorded eight total tackles and two sacks.

UTPB Head Coach Kris McCullough said, "Tristan is an unbelievable player. This recognition is very deserving and I know he will continue to get even better. 2025 will be a big year for him and our defense."

2024 D2Football Elite 100 Team