NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State fifth-year offensive lineman Tyler Leinberger and fifth-year return specialist Jason Wonodi have been named to the 2026 Phil Steele FCS Mid-Season All-America Teams, announced Friday.
Wonodi was tabbed a third-team selection as a punt returner, while Leinberger earned fourth-team honors on the offensive line. The teams were compiled by Phil Steele with assistance from Josh Buchanan.
The Spartans are one of a limited number of MEAC programs with multiple selections across the four teams, joining South Carolina State, North Carolina Central and Morgan State among conference members represented.
Wonodi has been among the most dangerous return men in Division I this fall. The Brockton, Mass., native has returned 10 punts for 223 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 22.3 yards per return with a long of 76. He has also handled kickoff return duties, adding eight returns for 131 yards.
His signature afternoon came in the 61st Battle of the Bay against Hampton, when he returned punts of 76 and 57 yards for scores and finished with 170 punt-return yards on three attempts. The performance rewrote three Norfolk State records — single-game punt-return yards both individually and as a team, breaking Chad Smith's mark of 157 set against Delaware State, and the team single-game return average at 56.7 yards. His 76-yarder tied for fourth on the program's all-time list of longest punt returns.
Wonodi was named the Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week and the MEAC Specialist of the Week for that showing. He has also contributed on offense with four receptions for 79 yards, including a 59-yard catch against Robert Morris, and a 76-yard touchdown run.
Norfolk State ranks among the national leaders in punt return average at 24.3 yards per attempt as a team, with four punt returns for touchdowns on the season.
Leinberger has started and played in all seven games for a Spartan offense averaging 415.6 yards and 35.3 points per contest. Norfolk State is producing 214.0 rushing yards per game at 5.5 yards per carry, has scored 32 touchdowns and has surrendered just 11 sacks in seven outings.
The offensive line has helped the Spartans control possession at 32:39 per game and convert 25 of 30 red-zone trips into points. Against Hampton, Leinberger earned a season-high 94 percent grade with six knockdown blocks as Norfolk State rolled up 424 total yards, 240 of them rushing, and held the ball for 34:50 in a 42-21 win.
He spent his early career at Hampton before transferring to Norfolk State, and has now played in the Battle of the Bay for both sidelines.
Norfolk State is 4-3 on the season, with wins over Winston-Salem State, Hampton, Chicago State and Virginia-Lynchburg. The Spartans have outscored opponents 247-164 and rank among the national leaders in several return categories.
Norfolk State opens MEAC play against South Carolina State on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg, S.C. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
