AAC Football All-Conference Teams & Awards Announced
from the AAC
WALESKA, Ga. - The Appalachian Athletic Conference announced the 2025 Football All-AAC Team and Awards on Tuesday.
Jah Colbert of Reinhardt and Jackson Wasik of Kentucky Christian are the Co-Offensive Players of the Year, Emmanuel Olaitan of Reinhardt is the Defensive Player of the Year, and Alex Hanson of Reinhardt is the Special Teams Player of the Year. Marlin Haywood of Bluefield is the Offensive Freshman of the Year, while JaTarius Randolph of Kentucky Christian is the Defensive Freshman of the Year. James Miller of Reinhardt is the Coach of the Year, and Joby Sullivan of Kentucky Christian is the Assistant Coach of the Year.
The awards were voted on and selected by the football coaches of the AAC.
Colbert, a running back, recorded the fourth 1,000-yard rushing season in conference history, finishing with 1,260 yards, which ranks second-most in league history. He had 11 rushing touchdowns and ran for 811 yards and nine touchdowns in six conference games.
Wasik, a quarterback, became the fifth player in AAC history to pass for over 3,000 yards, finishing with 3,069 yards as he completed 217-of-341 passes (63.6 percent). He led the league with 29 passing touchdowns.
Olaitan, a defensive lineman, led the conference in sacks (9.0) and collected 12.0 in tackles for a loss. He finished with 43 total tackles with 33 solo stops and 21 assisted tackles while recovering two fumbles and breaking up one pass.
Hanson, a place-kicker, not only set the conference record for most kicking points in a season (91), but he also led the league in scoring this season. He made 13 field goals and went 52-of-53 on PATs. He booted the longest field goal of the season with a 47-yarder.
Haywood, a wide receiver, led Bluefield in receptions (35), receiving yards (582), and receiving touchdowns (6). His best game came against Pikeville when he hauled in four passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns.
Randolph, a defensive lineman, amassed 4.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for a loss. He had 41 total tackles with 19 solo stops. Randolph intercepted one pass, returning it 68 yards for a touchdown.
Miller led Reinhardt to a 6-0 conference record, earning the Eagles to the AAC Championship and a berth to the NAIA Football Championship Series.
Sullivan is the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for Kentucky Christian. The Knights averaged 423.6 yards per game in total offense and 316.4 passing yards per game.
A total of 30 players earned All-AAC First Team honors, with 15 on offense and 15 on defense, with an additional 32 players making the second team. Several players earned All-Academic Team accolades, while five made the Champions of Character Team.
Reinhardt University Football AAC All-Conference First Team
First Team Offense:
OL - Jayden Calhoun, Reinahrdt
OL - Ben Hollars, Reinhardt
OL - Zac Lyle, Reinhardt
RB - Jah Colbert, Reinhardt
PK - Alex Hanson, Reinhardt
First Team Defense:
DL - Emmanuel Olaitan, Reinhardt
DB - Carter Hicks, Reinhardt
DB - Braylon Jones, Reinhardt
KR - Tyress McKey, Reinhardt
Reinhardt University Football AAC All-Conference Second Team
Offense:
OL - Justin Pinkney, Reinhardt
ALL-PURPOSE - Ethan Rice, Reinhardt
RB - Jamarion Walker, Reinhardt
Defense:
DL - Damian Deloney, Reinhardt
LB - Kamari Poindexter, Reinhardt
LB - Julian Stevenson, Reinhardt
DB - Bryghton Peters, Reinhardt
P - Alex Hanson, Reinhardt
Zac Lyle received the NAIA Champions of Character Award at the playoff game on Saturday at Southeastern.
All-Academic Members
Nick Howard Davis
David Kace Kinnamon
For a complete look at the awards, click here.
