Our 2025 All-Sun Belt Football Team uses PFSN’s suite of college football metrics to highlight the highest graded players from the conference following the end of a remarkable college football season.
Did your favorite player make the cut? Let’s find out!
PFSN All-Sun Belt First Team Offense
- QB: Brad Jackson, Texas State Bobcats
- RB: Lincoln Pare, Texas State Bobcats
- RB: Wayne Knight, James Madison Dukes
- WR: Beau Sparks, Texas State Bobcats
- WR: Chris Dawn Jr., Texas State Bobcats
- TE: Toby Payne, Marshall Thundering Herd
- OL: Nick Del Grande, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
- OL: Tristian Smith, Arkansas State Red Wolves
- OL: Zac Elam, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
- OL: Deandre Duffus, Georgia State Panthers
- OL: Pat McMurtrie, James Madison Dukes
The Texas State Bobcats offense, led by quarterback Brad Jackson, proved to be one of the most explosive units in the conference, securing four of the five skilled player positions on the PFSN All-Sun Belt First Team. Jackson, a redshirt freshman, was a dynamic force, accounting for 3,742 total yards and 34 combined touchdowns across 12 games while completing 71.3% of his pass attempts.
Running back Lincoln Pare anchored the ground game, with 1,022 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the season, joining James Madison’s Wayne Knight (1,263 rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns) in the First Team backfield. The receiving corps was dominated by Bobcats wideouts Beau Sparks, who snagged 80 receptions for 1,113 yards and nine touchdowns, while Chris Dawn Jr. averaged 17.2 yards per catch on his 54 receptions, accumulating 931 yards and two scores.
The offensive line selections represented four different programs, highlighting individual excellence in a division that featured multiple high-production offenses. Coastal Carolina was the only program to take multiple spots, with Nick Del Grande and Zac Elam, underscoring the strength of their blocking despite a difficult season.
PFSN All-Sun Belt First Team Defense
- EDGE: J’Mond Tapp, Southern Miss Golden Eagles
- EDGE: Kalil Alexander, Texas State Bobcats
- DT: Rondo Porter, Appalachian State Mountaineers
- DT: Paul Hutson III, Marshall Thundering Herd
- LB: Jaden Dugger, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
- LB: Noah Flemmings, Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
- CB: Josh Moten, Southern Miss Golden Eagles
- CB: Brent Gordon Jr., Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
- CB: DJ Barksdale, James Madison Dukes
- SAF: Daytione Smith, Marshall Thundering Herd
- SAF: Tyler Brown, James Madison Dukes
The All-Sun Belt First Team defense was defined by top-tier perimeter defenders and a disruptive pass rush, with James Madison’s top-five nationally ranked scoring and total defense earning two secondary selections.
The edge rusher spots went to J’Mond Tapp of Southern Miss and Kalil Alexander of Texas State, both of whom were key to containing opposing run games and pressuring quarterbacks throughout the season. Appalachian State’s Rondo Porter and Marshall’s Paul Hutson III comprised the interior defensive line, providing robust run defense for their respective teams.
The linebacking unit featured two of the conference’s leading tackling presences in Jaden Dugger of Louisiana and Noah Flemmings of Louisiana-Monroe. Dugger and Flemmings consistently produced high tackle numbers and commanded the middle of the field against both the run and short passing routes.
The First Team secondary included a trio of cornerbacks who excelled in coverage and run support. Josh Moten (Southern Miss), Brent Gordon Jr. (Louisiana), and DJ Barksdale (James Madison) were frequently tasked with covering the conference’s most productive wide receivers, demonstrating impressive ball skills and containment ability.
PFSN All-Sun Belt First Team Special Teams
- K: Tyler Robles, Texas State Bobcats
- P: Evan Crenshaw, Troy Trojans
- KR: Chauncy Cobb, Arkansas State Red Wolves
- PR: Demarcus Lacey, Marshall Thundering Herd
Texas State kicker Tyler Robles earned the first-team nod following a highly efficient season that saw him connect on 19 of 21 field goal attempts, a major factor in the Bobcats’ 6-6 campaign. Troy punter Evan Crenshaw was the consensus choice for the punting position, leading the Sun Belt with a 46.7 yards-per-punt average.
MORE: PFSN College Football Offense Impact Metric
Crenshaw’s performance helped Troy secure a top-five national ranking in net punting and proved essential for their defense. Arkansas State’s Chauncy Cobb was the conference’s top kickoff returner, consistently providing his offense with advantageous starting field position and posing a threat for a breakaway touchdown. Cobb’s speed and vision were unmatched in the return game.
PFSN All-Sun Belt Second Team Offense
- QB: Colton Joseph, Old Dominion Monarchs
- RB: OJ Arnold, Georgia Southern Eagles
- RB: Kentrel Bullock, South Alabama Jaguars
- WR: Demarcus Lacey, Marshall Thundering Herd
- WR: Tray Taylor, Troy Trojans
- TE: Izayah Cummings, Appalachian State Mountaineers
- OL: Bryant Williams, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
- OL: Trent Wilson, James Madison Dukes
- OL: Thomas Johnson, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
- OL: Jay Mickle, Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
- OL: Joseph Hanson, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph, who threw for 2,624 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 1,007 yards and 13 scores, established himself as one of the top quarterbacks at the Group of Five level, securing Sun Belt honors before hitting the transfer portal. The running back tandem of OJ Arnold (Georgia Southern) and Kentrel Bullock (South Alabama), both of whom surpassed 1,000 yards rushing, provided consistent offensive ground production.
Marshall’s Demarcus Lacey and Troy’s Tray Taylor emerged as the primary targets for their respective quarterbacks, while Appalachian State’s Izayah Cummings demonstrated a dependable presence in both the passing and running game for the Mountaineers. The depth of offensive line talent in the Sun Belt is well demonstrated by five players from four different programs, with Coastal Carolina once again setting the standard with two selections on the second team.
PFSN All-Sun Belt Second Team Defense
- EDGE: Zeke Campbell, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
- EDGE: Jordan Lawson, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
- DT: Brodarius Lewis, Southern Miss Golden Eagles
- DT: Cody Sigler, Arkansas State Red Wolves
- LB: Colton Phares, Appalachian State Mountaineers
- LB: Chris Jones, Southern Miss Golden Eagles
- CB: Justin Eaglin, James Madison Dukes
- CB: Boogie Trotter, Marshall Thundering Herd
- CB: Jaquez White, Troy Trojans
- SAF: Ian Foster, Southern Miss Golden Eagles
- SAF: Myles Woods, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
The Second Team defense included a formidable collection of defensive playmakers, with representatives from nine different institutions. Interior linemen Brodarius Lewis (Southern Miss) and Cody Sigler (Arkansas State) provided formidable forces against the run and interior pass protection, often requiring double-teams. Linebackers Colton Phares of Appalachian State and Chris Jones of Southern Miss were recognized for their sideline-to-sideline range and high-volume tackling.
Safeties Ian Foster (Southern Miss) and Myles Woods (Coastal Carolina) displayed a dynamic skill set, contributing tackles near the line of scrimmage while also providing over-the-top pass protection. James Madison was a constant defensive force this season, especially in the second half, and Justin Eaglin’s four interceptions were a key component of the Dukes’ success.
PFSN All-Sun Belt Second Team Special Teams
- K: Dominic De Freitas, Appalachian State Mountaineers
- P: Nathan Totten, Marshall Thundering Herd
- KR: Jaylen Jenkins, Texas State Bobcats
- PR: Devin Roche, Old Dominion Monarchs
Dominic De Freitas was a consistent scorer for the Mountaineers, tallying one of the highest point totals among conference kickers. Marshall punter Nathan Totten’s strong directional punting and hang time contributed significantly to his team’s field position advantage, earning him the All-Sun Belt Second Team selection.
MORE: PFSN College Football Defensive Impact Metric
Old Dominion’s Devin Roche earned conference recognition after leading the Sun Belt in punt return yards (217). Meanwhile, Jaylen Jenkins would have been a first-team contender in most conferences, but coming in second behind an All-America honoree is nothing to sniff at. Jenkins averaged 27.0 yards per kick return with a touchdown.
PFSN All-Sun Belt Third Team Offense
- QB: Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, Marshall Thundering Herd
- RB: Rashod Dubinion, Appalachian State Mountaineers
- RB: Jordon Simmons, Georgia State Panthers
- WR: Camden Brown, Georgia Southern Eagles
- WR: Jonathan Bibbs, Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
- TE: Ethan Conner, Troy Trojans
- OL: Johnnie Brown III, Georgia Southern Eagles
- OL: Carter Sweazie, James Madison Dukes
- OL: Elijah Fisher, Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
- OL: Julius Tate, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
- OL: Jax Harrington, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
The Third Team offense featured several players who put up strong numbers for their teams despite varying levels of team success in the conference standings. Marshall quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson earned the Third Team nod, helping guide the Thundering Herd offense to a 30.8 points per game average.
The running back selections included Rashod Dubinion of Appalachian State and Jordon Simmons of Georgia State, both of whom were the lead rushers for their respective programs. The wide receiver spots were filled by Camden Brown of Georgia Southern and Jonathan Bibbs of Louisiana-Monroe.
The Third Team offensive line, with representatives from five different schools, consisted of players who quietly anchored their units. Johnnie Brown III of Georgia Southern, Carter Sweazie of James Madison, Elijah Fisher of Louisiana-Monroe, Julius Tate of Coastal Carolina, and Jax Harrington of Louisiana all demonstrated the consistent blocking necessary for their offenses to move the ball.
PFSN All-Sun Belt Third Team Defense
- EDGE: Sahir West, James Madison Dukes
- EDGE: Ethan Hassler, Arkansas State Red Wolves
- DT: Bishop Thomas, Georgia State Panthers
- DT: Ed Smith IV, South Alabama Jaguars
- LB: Josiah Robinson, Georgia State Panthers
- LB: Jordan Stringer, Troy Trojans
- CB: Elijah Culp, James Madison Dukes
- CB: Ethan Johnson, Appalachian State Mountaineers
- CB: Zion Frink, Old Dominion Monarchs
- SAF: Xamarion Gordon, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
- SAF: Ayden Jackson, Georgia Southern Eagles
Sahir West played a pivotal role on a James Madison defense that was a dominant statistical unit, registering 33 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks. Interior defensive linemen Bishop Thomas of Georgia State and Ed Smith IV of South Alabama were disruptive in the run game. Linebackers Josiah Robinson of Georgia State and Jordan Stringer of Troy were recognized for their tackling productivity.
PFSN All-Sun Belt Third Team Special Teams
- K: Lorcan Quinn, Marshall Thundering Herd
- P: Patrick Rea, James Madison Dukes
- KR: Dalen Cobb, Georgia Southern Eagles
- PR: Jaden Barnes, Appalachian State Mountaineers
Marshall kicker Lorcan Quinn earned the spot after contributing a steady supply of points for the Thundering Herd throughout the year. James Madison punter Patrick Rea was the Third Team selection at punter, demonstrating excellent consistency in flipping the field for the Dukes’ top-ranked defense.
The Third Team return specialists included Dalen Cobb of Georgia Southern on kickoff returns, recognized for his yardage production and threat to break a long return. Jaden Barnes of Appalachian State was selected as the punt returner. Both Cobb and Barnes provided important field position advantages, showcasing the Sun Belt’s overall strength in the return game.