Aurora University football defensive lineman JP Chaney had a tremendous 2025 season on the field for the Spartans and those accomplishments earned him preseason honors when D3football.com announced the 2026 Preseason All-American Team today.

Chaney was named a First-Team defensive end on the tails of a 2025 campaign that saw him earn College Sports Communicators (CSC - formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-America as well as All-American by D3football.com, the Walter Camp Foundation and Associated Press (AP) Third-Team All-American. He was also selected Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference First-Team All-Conference and a D3football.com First-Team All-Region recipient. 

On the season, Chaney led the AU defense with 14.0 sacks, 28.0 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hurries, 70 tackles, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one blocked kick and two pass break-ups. His tackles for loss and his sacks per game both rank among the tops nationally.

In his career, Chaney is now an All-American (2025 Academic All-America, AP, Walter Camp and D3football.com and 2025 pre-season D3football.com), a two-time D3football.com All-Region performer and two-time NACC All-Conference selection.

AU will open the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5 when they travel to University of Wisconsin - Platteville with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.