First in the NCAA Era: The Record-Chasing Career of All-American WR Tyler Steffan

Written by Marauder Football Alumni Association | Feb 9, 2026 4:31:18 PM

When the University of Mary transitioned into NCAA Division II, it didn’t take long for a new kind of star to emerge on the outside. Tyler Steffan became that player—a long, physical, high-point specialist who turned jump balls into routine completions and red-zone snaps into touchdowns.

The first UMary football player to earn NCAA All-American honors, Steffan was a devastating weapon at wide receiver, using his 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame, speed, and athleticism to make big plays all over the field.

From Dickinson to Dual-Sport Standout

A native of Dickinson, North Dakota, Steffan arrived at UMary in the fall of 2008 as a two-sport athlete, also suiting up for the Marauders baseball team.

On the football field, he made his presence felt quickly:

  • 2009 (Redshirt Freshman): Broke into the rotation and began flashing his potential.
  • 2010 (Sophomore): Locked in as a starter, catching 43 passes for 660 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The stage was set for something special.

2011: Leading the Nation and Making History

Steffan’s breakout season came in 2011, and it was one of the greatest single-season performances in UMary history.

That year, he:

  • Caught 54 passes
  • Racked up 914 receiving yards
  • Hauled in 17 touchdown receptionsleading the nation

Those numbers earned him:

  • AFCA First Team All-American honors – making him the first UMary football player ever to receive NCAA All-American recognition
  • First Team All-NSIC
  • All-region (First Team) honors
  • Multiple NSIC Player of the Week awards

He set the tone from Week 1:

  • His first two touchdowns of the season came in a road win at Chadron State to open the year.

Then came one of the wildest stretches any Marauder receiver has ever had:

  • Over a four-game span, Steffan scored:
    • 4 touchdowns in two games
    • 3 touchdowns in each of the other two games

Defenses knew the ball was coming his way. It still didn’t matter.

2012: Finishing Strong

As a senior in 2012, Steffan continued to produce at a high level even while drawing top coverage and extra attention:

  • 49 receptions
  • 644 receiving yards
  • 7 touchdown receptions

For his consistency and impact, he earned:

  • All-NSIC Honorable Mention honors

By the time he graduated, he had authored one of the most complete careers by any wide receiver in school history.

Etched in the Record Book

Steffan’s name is all over the Marauders receiving charts:

  • 2nd all-time in touchdown catches: 30
  • 4th in receiving yards: 2,494
  • 4th in receptions: 162

He combined volume, efficiency, and explosiveness, and did it at a time when UMary was making its way in one of the toughest Division II conferences in the country.

And he didn’t just shine on the gridiron. On the diamond, Tyler also became one of the Marauders baseball program’s leaders in:

  • Doubles
  • Runs scored
  • Stolen bases

Excellence in the Classroom and Beyond

Steffan’s accomplishments weren’t limited to athletics. He was also a standout in the classroom:

  • A six-time Northern Sun All-Academic Team member (across football and baseball)
  • Earned his Business Administration degree from the University of Mary in 2012
  • Completed his MBA at UMary in 2014

Today, he carries that same work ethic and discipline into the professional world:

  • Works for Border States in the PVF/Oil & Gas Division as an Inside Sales Account Manager

At home, Tyler and his wife Claycee are raising three children:

  • Crosby
  • Kyrie
  • Kolby

A Standard for NCAA-Era Marauders

For current and future UMary players—especially wide receivers—Tyler Steffan represents the ideal blend of talent, toughness, and total-student-athlete mindset:

  • First NCAA-era All-American in program history
  • Nation’s leader in touchdown receptions in 2011
  • Dual-sport athlete and six-time academic honoree
  • Record-book mainstay and a leader on and off the field

From Dickinson to the national stage, from the sideline go-ball to the boardroom, Steffan’s story is a reminder that Marauders can excel at every level—on the field, in the classroom, and in life after football.