Wood, Babcock, Hertel on Second Team
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The GLIAC has announced the All-GLIAC honorees for the 2024 football season, with three Wildcats earning Second Team recognition: freshman RB Jahi Wood, redshirt sophomore OL Daniel Babcock, and sophomore LB Jax Hertel.
Wood, a 5’7 running back out of Lansing, Michigan, led the Wildcats on the ground this season with 667 rushing yards on 155 attempts (4.3 yards/carry). His total was good for third in the league. He had five games over 75 yards, with a season-high 108 yards in the season finale at Wayne State. He picked up his first career touchdown against Saginaw Valley.
A 6’4 offensive lineman from Lake Orion, Michigan, Babcock started all 11 games along NMU’s offensive line and played a key role in Northern’s rushing attack. Averaging 177.9 rushing yards/game, the Wildcats ranked third in the conference and 27th nationally on the ground.
Hertel made significant strides his sophomore season, co-leading the team with 57 tackles, 40 of those solo, in just nine games. Before suffering an injury with a couple of weeks remaining, Hertel led the conference in tackles. In addition, the Walworth, Wisconsin native added two QB hits and a pass breakup.