The closing days of 2025 have brought a fresh wave of accolades for standout college football players across the nation, with Wartburg College and Western Colorado University both celebrating major All-America honors for their athletes. As postseason awards roll out, the achievements of these student-athletes are not just a testament to individual excellence but also to the growing stature of their respective programs.
In Minneapolis, Wartburg College announced on December 22 that junior defensive lineman Conner McDonald and senior linebacker Keenan Tyler have been named to the 2025 D3football.com All-America Team. McDonald, hailing from Congerville, Illinois, capped off a breakout junior campaign by earning his first career All-America nod. His season was nothing short of spectacular: he tallied career highs with 24 solo tackles, 43 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks. Those 13 tackles for loss tied him with teammate Jake Walker for the team lead, anchoring a defensive front that ranked among the best statistically in Division III football this year.
“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized at the national level,” McDonald said, according to the school’s announcement. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaches pushing me every day.”
Tyler, a senior from Decorah, Iowa, completed what can only be described as an All-America sweep. He earned Second Team honors from D3football.com, adding to First Team recognition from both the American Football Coaches’ Association (AFCA) and the Associated Press (AP). Tyler’s consistency and leadership on the field have been pivotal for the Knights, and his accolades reflect a season of relentless effort and high-impact play.
Both McDonald and Tyler were previously named First Team All-Region by D3football.com on December 10, further cementing their status as two of the premier defenders in small college football. Their selections also continue a remarkable trend for Wartburg, marking the fourth consecutive season that at least two Knights have been chosen as D3football.com All-Americans. The program’s history of producing top-tier talent is well-documented, with a long list of past honorees stretching back to 1999, including the likes of Anthony Souhrada, Vince King, and more recently, Hunter Clasen and Parker Rochford.
“This streak is a testament to the culture we’ve built here at Wartburg,” head coach Chris Winter remarked. “Every year, our players set the bar higher. Conner and Keenan represent everything we strive for—grit, dedication, and excellence on and off the field.”
Meanwhile, out in Brookfield, Illinois, Western Colorado University is also basking in the glow of national recognition. On the same day, the university announced that quarterback Drew Nash and defensive end Ricky Freymond each added two more All-American honors to their already impressive resumes. Nash, a dynamic playmaker under center, was named Second Team All-Purpose player by both the Don Hansen and Associated Press 2025 NCAA Division II All-America teams. Freymond, a relentless force on the edge, earned Second Team defense honors from the AP and an Honorable Mention from Don Hansen.
Nash’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of historic. He threw 33 touchdown passes—third most in Division II—and rushed for 11 more, a mark that placed him 29th nationally. His total of 264 points responsible for was third best in the nation, and his average of 22.0 points per game was second overall. Nash’s career numbers are now etched in Western Colorado’s record books: 77 passing touchdowns, the most ever for the program, and 8,061 passing yards, good for second all-time. Not surprisingly, Nash was a finalist for the prestigious Harlon Hill Award, which goes to the top player in NCAA Division II football. He finished seventh in the voting, the highest placement ever for a Mountaineer.
“This season was special, and I’m grateful for the recognition,” Nash said in a statement released by the university. “We set out to make history, and I think we did just that.”
Freymond’s impact on the defensive side has been just as profound. He posted 4.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss this season, bringing his career totals to a program-best 29 sacks and 58 tackles for loss. His relentless pursuit of quarterbacks and ball carriers has made him a nightmare for opposing offenses. Freymond’s growing list of accolades now includes Second Team All-American from the American Football Coaches Association, D2CCA Second Team defense, All-NFFCC First Team defense, and RMAC First Team defense, among others.
The honors didn’t stop there for Western Colorado. Offensive lineman Zach Brumfield earned an Honorable Mention Don Hansen All-American nod, adding to his previous recognition on the Second Team All-NFFCC offense and First Team All-RMAC offense. Brumfield’s steady presence in the trenches has provided the foundation for the Mountaineers’ high-powered offense, protecting Nash and paving the way for the team’s ground game.
Western Colorado’s trio of All-Americans have been instrumental in the program’s recent postseason success. The Mountaineers advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs in both 2024 and 2025, and the squad hosted a first-round playoff game in 2023—a significant achievement for the program. The back-to-back playoff runs have energized the fan base and raised expectations for the years ahead.
“We’ve built something special here,” Freymond said, reflecting on his career. “Getting to share these honors with my teammates makes it even better.”
As the dust settles on the 2025 college football season, the stories of McDonald, Tyler, Nash, Freymond, and Brumfield stand out as examples of what’s possible through hard work and determination. Their achievements reflect not only individual brilliance but also the collective strength of their teams and coaching staffs. For Wartburg and Western Colorado, these honors are more than just lines on a resume—they’re milestones in the ongoing journey of building championship-caliber programs.
With postseason awards in hand and records rewritten, these student-athletes have set a new standard for those who will follow in their footsteps. The future looks bright for both programs as they prepare to reload and chase even greater heights in 2026.
