MINNEAPOLIS, MN (August 12, 2026) -- King's College rising senior defensive end Xander Murray has been named to the D3football.com Preseason All-America Third Team, as announced by the organization on Wednesday.
 
Murray earns the national recognition after a standout 2025 campaign in which he garnered First Team All-Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) honors and was named to the D3football.com All-Region Team. The Waretown, N.J. native becomes the first Monarch to earn D3football.com Preseason All-America honors since Teone Sherrod was named to the Third Team prior to the 2023 season.
 
Last season, Murray started all 10 games on the defensive line and emerged as one of the conference's top defensive playmakers. He recorded 50 total tackles, including 19 solo stops, while ranking second in the MAC with 10 tackles for loss totaling 50 yards. Murray also finished second in the conference with seven sacks for 47 yards lost. He tied for the team lead with nine quarterback hurries and added four pass breakups, a fumble recovery and an interception that he returned 15 yards for a touchdown.
 
Entering the 2026 season, Murray has totaled 76 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, five pass breakups, one interception, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick across 21 career games.
 
D3football.com has selected preseason All-America teams annually since 2005, recognizing the top returning players in NCAA Division III football heading into the upcoming season.
 
The Monarchs open the 2026 season on Thursday, September 3, hosting cross-town rival Wilkes in the 30th installment of the Mayor's Cup. Kickoff against the Colonels is set for 7:00 p.m. at McCarthy Stadium.