Virginia Union’s Curtis Allen and Livingstone’s Kenyon Garner Headline the 2025 AFCA Division II Coaches All-America Teams
December 17, 2025
Virginia Union running back Curtis Allen and Livingstone defensive lineman Kenyon Garner headline the 2025 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams announced today by the American Football Coaches Association.
Allen, a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, led Division II in rushing (2,386 yards), rushing touchdowns (30), rushing yards per game (198.8) and total points scored (180). The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Offensive Player of the Year also led the nation in all-purpose yards per game at 204.08.
Garner was named the Willie Davis Defensive Player of the Year by BOXTOROW after leading the nation in tackles for loss (28) and sacks (15). The CIAA Defensive Player of the Year led his team with 55 total tackles, 39 of which were solo, and tied for the league lead with three forced fumbles. He added four quarterback hurries, two fumbles recovered and one safety.
D2 All-Americans
First Team-Offense
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
QB Gavin Sukup 6-1 188 Sr. UIndy Chris Keevers Seward, Neb. (Seward)
RB Curtis Allen 6-2 215 Sr. Virginia Union Alvin Parker Petersburg, Va. (Prince George)
RB Jeffery Jones 5-9 175 Fr. New Mexico Highlands Kurt Taufa’asau St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg)
WR Hogan Wasson 5-10 180 R-So. Central Missouri Josh Lamberson Colleyville, Tex. (Colleyville)
WR Jaylen Himes 5-9 177 Fr. Wingate Rashaan Jordan Statesville, N.C. (Providence Day)
WR TJ Chukwurah 5-11 190 R-Jr. Black Hills St. Josh Breske Arlington, Tex. (Juan Seguin)
TE Luke Dehnicke 6-3 205 R-Fr. Minnesota-Duluth Curt Wiese Andover, Minn. (Andover)
OL Slade Edwards 6-2 290 R-Sr. Central Washington Chris Fisk Yelm, Wash. (Yelm)
OL *Montriel Lee 6-2 285 Sr. Central Oklahoma Adam Dorrel Del City, Okla. (Del City)
OL Joe Cooper 6-7 320 R-Sr. Slippery Rock Shawn Lutz East Berlin, Pa. (Bermudian Springs)
OL Ryne Buttz 6-4 302 Sr. UIndy Chris Keevers Decatur, Ill. (Mount Zion)
OL Tim Anderson 6-6 305 Sr. Ferris St. Tony Annese Rochester, Mich. (Adams)
First Team-Defense
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
DL Clayton Power 6-2 283 Sr. Northwest Missouri St. John McMenamin Stilwell, Kan. (Blue Valley)
DL Kenyon Garner 6-4 230 So. Livingstone Sean Gilbert Okeechobee, Fla. (James S. Rickards)
DL Michael Shimek 6-1 246 Sr. Ashland Doug Geiser North Canton, Ohio (Hoover)
DL Ean Rhea 6-2 235 Jr. Emory & Henry Quintin Hunter Glade Spring, Va. (Patrick Henry)
LB Landon Boss 6-1 230 Jr. Emporia St. Garin Higgins Osage City, Kan. (Osage City)
LB Ja’Kobe Clinton 6-2 230 R-Sr. West Florida Kaleb Nobles Sanford, Fla. (Seminole)
LB Clark Griffin 5-9 185 Sr. Harding Paul Simmons Mountain Brook, Ala. (Mountain Brook)
DB Jordan Rogers 5-10 188 R-Sr. Pittsburg St. Tom Anthony Bellmead, Tex. (La Vega)
DB Xavier Walton 5-10 200 Jr. Angelo St. Jeff Girsch San Antonio, Tex. (Harlan)
DB Darnell Stephens 6-1 186 Gr. Fort Valley St. Marlon Watson Conyers, Ga. (Rockdale County)
DB Justin Payoute 5-7 170 Sr. Ferris St. Tony Annese Miami Gardens, Fla. (Champagnat Catholic)
First Team-Special Teams
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
PK Manaki Watanabe 6-0 182 R-Fr. Ashland Doug Geiser Novi, Mich. (South Lyon East)
P Brodie Eisenbraun 6-2 195 R-Sr. Chadron St. Jay Long Sturgis, S.D. (Brown)
AP Tye Roberson 5-8 185 Sr. Lenoir-Rhyne Doug Socha Laurens, S.C. (Laurens)
LS Graham Carter 5-11 195 Sr. Missouri S&T Andy Ball Liberty, Mo. (North)
Second Team-Offense
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
QB Jack Strand 6-5 240 Sr. MSU Moorhead Steve Laqua Bloomer, Wis. (Bloomer)
RB Andrew Miller 6-1 225 Jr. Harding Paul Simmons Searcy, Ark. (Harding Academy)
RB JayJay Jordan 5-11 180 Jr. Slippery Rock Shawn Lutz Reading, Pa. (Berks Catholic)
WR *Reggie Retzlaff 6-3 215 R-Sr. Colorado St.-Pueblo Philip Vigil Corona, Calif. (Centennial)
WR Deandre Proctor 6-3 210 Sr. Johnson C. Smith Maurice Flowers Elizabeth City, N.C. (Northeastern)
WR Gage Florence 5-10 185 Sr. MSU Moorhead Steve Laqua Sawyer, N.D. (Velva)
TE Eddie Burgess 6-4 240 Sr. Upper Iowa Jason Hoskins Montezuma, Iowa (Montezuma)
OL Kaleb McCullough 6-2 282 So. Northwest Missouri St. John McMenamin Humboldt, Iowa (Humboldt)
OL Jamari Mason 6-1 310 Jr. Johnson C. Smith Maurice Flowers Carrollton, Ga. (Carrollton)
OL Daniel Porisch 6-2 295 Sr. Northern St. Mike Schmidt Edina, Minn. (Benilde-St. Margaret’s)
OL Ryan Schernecke 6-8 330 R-Sr. Kutztown Jim Clements Hatboro, Pa. (Upper Moreland)
OL Avery Swinton 6-2 285 Sr. Catawba Tyler Haines Jacksonville, Fla. (Creekside)
Second Team-Defense
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
DL Owen Seaver 6-3 275 Gr. Angelo St. Jeff Girsch Lampasas, Tex. (Lampasas)
DL *Ricky Freymond 6-5 265 R-Sr. Western Colorado Jas Bains Chino, Calif. (Ontario Christian)
DL Tyler King 6-5 250 R-So. Central Washington Chris Fisk Happy Valley, Ore. (Clackamas)
DL Isi Etute 6-4 225 R-Jr. UNC Pembroke Mark Hall Norfolk, Va. (Frank W. Cox)
LB Tristan Exline 6-1 215 Jr. UT Permian Basin Kris McCullough China Spring, Tex. (China Spring)
LB Brandon Hile 6-2 225 Sr. Kutztown Jim Clements Winfield, Pa. (Selinsgrove)
LB Logan O’Brien 6-4 225 R-Sr. Chadron St. Jay Long Kearney, Neb. (Catholic)
DB Rance Conner 5-11 190 Sr. Valdosta St. Graham Craig Miami, Fla. (Washington)
DB Kalen Frazier 6-0 196 Sr. Indiana (Pa.) Paul Tortorella New Castle, Del. (Kennett Square)
DB Klayton Batten 5-10 185 Gr. Shepherd Ernie McCook Waldorf, Md. (St. Charles)
DB Shawn Collins 6-2 220 Sr. Emory & Henry Quintin Hunter Salem, Va. (Salem)
Second Team-Special Teams
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
PK Ty Quintois 5-11 170 Jr. East Stroudsburg Jimmy Terwilliger Harleysville, Pa. (Souderton Area)
P Mo Foketi 6-1 200 So. Northeastern St. Darrin Chiaverini College Station, Tex. (A&M Consolidated)
AP Deontae Williams 6-0 180 So. California (Pa.) Gary Dunn Pittsburgh, Pa. (Woodland Hills)
LS Josh Hildebrand 6-3 240 R-Fr. Colorado Mines Bob Stitt Cecil, Ala. (Montgomery Catholic)
*-2024 AFCA All-American
Team Background: The five teams now chosen for each AFCA division evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams – University Division and College Division – were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — FBS and FCS. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. In 2006, the AFCA started selecting an NAIA-only team. The AFCA added a second All-America team in 2016.
From 1965-81, a 22-player (11 offensive, 11 defensive) team was chosen. In 1982, a punter and placekicker were added to the team. In 1997, a return specialist was added. The return specialist position was replaced by an all-purpose player in 2006. A third wide receiver was added in 2024.
The Award: Members of the AFCA Coaches’ All-America First Team will receive a plaque commemorating their selection to the team, while members of the Second Team will receive a certificate.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
« « Previous PostNext Post » »
Virginia Union running back Curtis Allen and Livingstone defensive lineman Kenyon Garner headline the 2025 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams announced today by the American Football Coaches Association.
Allen, a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, led Division II in rushing (2,386 yards), rushing touchdowns (30), rushing yards per game (198.8) and total points scored (180). The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Offensive Player of the Year also led the nation in all-purpose yards per game at 204.08.
Garner was named the Willie Davis Defensive Player of the Year by BOXTOROW after leading the nation in tackles for loss (28) and sacks (15). The CIAA Defensive Player of the Year led his team with 55 total tackles, 39 of which were solo, and tied for the league lead with three forced fumbles. He added four quarterback hurries, two fumbles recovered and one safety.
| D2 All-Americans | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Team-Offense | |||||||
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
| QB | Gavin Sukup | 6-1 | 188 | Sr. | UIndy | Chris Keevers | Seward, Neb. (Seward) |
| RB | Curtis Allen | 6-2 | 215 | Sr. | Virginia Union | Alvin Parker | Petersburg, Va. (Prince George) |
| RB | Jeffery Jones | 5-9 | 175 | Fr. | New Mexico Highlands | Kurt Taufa’asau | St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) |
| WR | Hogan Wasson | 5-10 | 180 | R-So. | Central Missouri | Josh Lamberson | Colleyville, Tex. (Colleyville) |
| WR | Jaylen Himes | 5-9 | 177 | Fr. | Wingate | Rashaan Jordan | Statesville, N.C. (Providence Day) |
| WR | TJ Chukwurah | 5-11 | 190 | R-Jr. | Black Hills St. | Josh Breske | Arlington, Tex. (Juan Seguin) |
| TE | Luke Dehnicke | 6-3 | 205 | R-Fr. | Minnesota-Duluth | Curt Wiese | Andover, Minn. (Andover) |
| OL | Slade Edwards | 6-2 | 290 | R-Sr. | Central Washington | Chris Fisk | Yelm, Wash. (Yelm) |
| OL | *Montriel Lee | 6-2 | 285 | Sr. | Central Oklahoma | Adam Dorrel | Del City, Okla. (Del City) |
| OL | Joe Cooper | 6-7 | 320 | R-Sr. | Slippery Rock | Shawn Lutz | East Berlin, Pa. (Bermudian Springs) |
| OL | Ryne Buttz | 6-4 | 302 | Sr. | UIndy | Chris Keevers | Decatur, Ill. (Mount Zion) |
| OL | Tim Anderson | 6-6 | 305 | Sr. | Ferris St. | Tony Annese | Rochester, Mich. (Adams) |
| First Team-Defense | |||||||
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
| DL | Clayton Power | 6-2 | 283 | Sr. | Northwest Missouri St. | John McMenamin | Stilwell, Kan. (Blue Valley) |
| DL | Kenyon Garner | 6-4 | 230 | So. | Livingstone | Sean Gilbert | Okeechobee, Fla. (James S. Rickards) |
| DL | Michael Shimek | 6-1 | 246 | Sr. | Ashland | Doug Geiser | North Canton, Ohio (Hoover) |
| DL | Ean Rhea | 6-2 | 235 | Jr. | Emory & Henry | Quintin Hunter | Glade Spring, Va. (Patrick Henry) |
| LB | Landon Boss | 6-1 | 230 | Jr. | Emporia St. | Garin Higgins | Osage City, Kan. (Osage City) |
| LB | Ja’Kobe Clinton | 6-2 | 230 | R-Sr. | West Florida | Kaleb Nobles | Sanford, Fla. (Seminole) |
| LB | Clark Griffin | 5-9 | 185 | Sr. | Harding | Paul Simmons | Mountain Brook, Ala. (Mountain Brook) |
| DB | Jordan Rogers | 5-10 | 188 | R-Sr. | Pittsburg St. | Tom Anthony | Bellmead, Tex. (La Vega) |
| DB | Xavier Walton | 5-10 | 200 | Jr. | Angelo St. | Jeff Girsch | San Antonio, Tex. (Harlan) |
| DB | Darnell Stephens | 6-1 | 186 | Gr. | Fort Valley St. | Marlon Watson | Conyers, Ga. (Rockdale County) |
| DB | Justin Payoute | 5-7 | 170 | Sr. | Ferris St. | Tony Annese | Miami Gardens, Fla. (Champagnat Catholic) |
| First Team-Special Teams | |||||||
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
| PK | Manaki Watanabe | 6-0 | 182 | R-Fr. | Ashland | Doug Geiser | Novi, Mich. (South Lyon East) |
| P | Brodie Eisenbraun | 6-2 | 195 | R-Sr. | Chadron St. | Jay Long | Sturgis, S.D. (Brown) |
| AP | Tye Roberson | 5-8 | 185 | Sr. | Lenoir-Rhyne | Doug Socha | Laurens, S.C. (Laurens) |
| LS | Graham Carter | 5-11 | 195 | Sr. | Missouri S&T | Andy Ball | Liberty, Mo. (North) |
| Second Team-Offense | |||||||
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
| QB | Jack Strand | 6-5 | 240 | Sr. | MSU Moorhead | Steve Laqua | Bloomer, Wis. (Bloomer) |
| RB | Andrew Miller | 6-1 | 225 | Jr. | Harding | Paul Simmons | Searcy, Ark. (Harding Academy) |
| RB | JayJay Jordan | 5-11 | 180 | Jr. | Slippery Rock | Shawn Lutz | Reading, Pa. (Berks Catholic) |
| WR | *Reggie Retzlaff | 6-3 | 215 | R-Sr. | Colorado St.-Pueblo | Philip Vigil | Corona, Calif. (Centennial) |
| WR | Deandre Proctor | 6-3 | 210 | Sr. | Johnson C. Smith | Maurice Flowers | Elizabeth City, N.C. (Northeastern) |
| WR | Gage Florence | 5-10 | 185 | Sr. | MSU Moorhead | Steve Laqua | Sawyer, N.D. (Velva) |
| TE | Eddie Burgess | 6-4 | 240 | Sr. | Upper Iowa | Jason Hoskins | Montezuma, Iowa (Montezuma) |
| OL | Kaleb McCullough | 6-2 | 282 | So. | Northwest Missouri St. | John McMenamin | Humboldt, Iowa (Humboldt) |
| OL | Jamari Mason | 6-1 | 310 | Jr. | Johnson C. Smith | Maurice Flowers | Carrollton, Ga. (Carrollton) |
| OL | Daniel Porisch | 6-2 | 295 | Sr. | Northern St. | Mike Schmidt | Edina, Minn. (Benilde-St. Margaret’s) |
| OL | Ryan Schernecke | 6-8 | 330 | R-Sr. | Kutztown | Jim Clements | Hatboro, Pa. (Upper Moreland) |
| OL | Avery Swinton | 6-2 | 285 | Sr. | Catawba | Tyler Haines | Jacksonville, Fla. (Creekside) |
| Second Team-Defense | |||||||
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
| DL | Owen Seaver | 6-3 | 275 | Gr. | Angelo St. | Jeff Girsch | Lampasas, Tex. (Lampasas) |
| DL | *Ricky Freymond | 6-5 | 265 | R-Sr. | Western Colorado | Jas Bains | Chino, Calif. (Ontario Christian) |
| DL | Tyler King | 6-5 | 250 | R-So. | Central Washington | Chris Fisk | Happy Valley, Ore. (Clackamas) |
| DL | Isi Etute | 6-4 | 225 | R-Jr. | UNC Pembroke | Mark Hall | Norfolk, Va. (Frank W. Cox) |
| LB | Tristan Exline | 6-1 | 215 | Jr. | UT Permian Basin | Kris McCullough | China Spring, Tex. (China Spring) |
| LB | Brandon Hile | 6-2 | 225 | Sr. | Kutztown | Jim Clements | Winfield, Pa. (Selinsgrove) |
| LB | Logan O’Brien | 6-4 | 225 | R-Sr. | Chadron St. | Jay Long | Kearney, Neb. (Catholic) |
| DB | Rance Conner | 5-11 | 190 | Sr. | Valdosta St. | Graham Craig | Miami, Fla. (Washington) |
| DB | Kalen Frazier | 6-0 | 196 | Sr. | Indiana (Pa.) | Paul Tortorella | New Castle, Del. (Kennett Square) |
| DB | Klayton Batten | 5-10 | 185 | Gr. | Shepherd | Ernie McCook | Waldorf, Md. (St. Charles) |
| DB | Shawn Collins | 6-2 | 220 | Sr. | Emory & Henry | Quintin Hunter | Salem, Va. (Salem) |
| Second Team-Special Teams | |||||||
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
| PK | Ty Quintois | 5-11 | 170 | Jr. | East Stroudsburg | Jimmy Terwilliger | Harleysville, Pa. (Souderton Area) |
| P | Mo Foketi | 6-1 | 200 | So. | Northeastern St. | Darrin Chiaverini | College Station, Tex. (A&M Consolidated) |
| AP | Deontae Williams | 6-0 | 180 | So. | California (Pa.) | Gary Dunn | Pittsburgh, Pa. (Woodland Hills) |
| LS | Josh Hildebrand | 6-3 | 240 | R-Fr. | Colorado Mines | Bob Stitt | Cecil, Ala. (Montgomery Catholic) |
*-2024 AFCA All-American
Team Background: The five teams now chosen for each AFCA division evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams – University Division and College Division – were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — FBS and FCS. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. In 2006, the AFCA started selecting an NAIA-only team. The AFCA added a second All-America team in 2016.
From 1965-81, a 22-player (11 offensive, 11 defensive) team was chosen. In 1982, a punter and placekicker were added to the team. In 1997, a return specialist was added. The return specialist position was replaced by an all-purpose player in 2006. A third wide receiver was added in 2024.
The Award: Members of the AFCA Coaches’ All-America First Team will receive a plaque commemorating their selection to the team, while members of the Second Team will receive a certificate.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
