NEWTOWN, Pa.— The Middle Atlantic Conference Office today released all-conference lists and special awards for the 2025 Football Season. Led by MAC Coach of the Year Billy Crocker, Eastern University's Championship squad had 15 players earn recognition from the league. MAC Coaches selected Brett Nabb as Offensive Player of the Year and Jason Bateman for Defensive Player of the Year Honors.

Nabb earned first-team honors at Quarterback.The graduate student from Avalon, N.J. led an Eastern attack that led the league in rushing and was second in the league in scoring. His ability to run the ball set up big plays in the passing game. He finished the regular season with over 1100 yards running. Despite only putting the ball in the air 138 times, he threw for 1237 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Four offensive players joined Nabb on the All-MAC teams.

Justin McNulty and Alvin Carpenter were constants on an offensive line that continued to carve holes and give Nabb time despite injuries at multiple spots over the year. The duo, like Nabb are 'Year Zero' guys who have grown with the program from its start. Both earned First-Team All-MAC Honors

With the speed to pull and to get into the next level for a block, McNulty started the season at guard. Injuries at other spots forced the senior from Absecon, N.J. to move to tackle late in the year. Eastern's offensive line gave up only seven sacks this year and the team ran for nearly 260 yards per game.

Carpenter started nine games in 2024, but he underwent a physical transformation between 2024 and 2025. The center from Philadelphia arrived at camp this fall lighter and faster, and he owned the spot in the middle of the offensive line.

Though he did not get a carry or a target, league coaches recognized Dom Franks with a first-team spot as a fullback. The junior from Pottstown's ability to finish blocks helped to create holes on individual plays and to generate physical control over games as contests progressed.

When not blocking for Nabb, the Franks and the offensive line were creating holes for Jeremiah Avrilien. Eastern's junior running back earned a spot on the second team. Through the regular season, he averaged six yards a carry and scored 16 touchdowns. Avrilien combined big-play ability with the toughness and strength needed to gain the touch yards around the goal line. Eastern scored 25 touchdowns in 38 trips inside the opponent's 20.

Justin Nikolopoulos earned Honorable mention as a receiver. Also a dangerous punt-returner, he led the Eastern receiving group with 404 yards and four touchdowns while delivering downfield blocks at the right time.

Eastern's defense allowed the team's offense to keep the ball on the ground. The Eagles led the MAC in least yards and points allowed.

Though the group took the ball back with seven interceptions, they specialized in just making stops. Opponents got to Eastern's red zone only 22 times this fall.

Bateman was often in the middle of things. The junior linebacker from Upper Darby also competes as a sprinter on Eastern's Track and Field Team. While he never runs a full 100 meters on any given down, he covers ground on every play and finishes tackles like a much bigger player. He forced five fumbles and had an interception while finishing with 10 tackles for loss and 72 total tackles.

He was joined on the All-MAC lists by a pair of defensive linemen and two players from the secondary.

Salif Nikiema, Tahjere Jackson-Alston, and Gashawn Moody Sr. are also 'Year Zero' guys.

Listed as a Defensive End, Nikiema rushed through the middle as often as he went wide. He finished the regular season with forty tackles, six sacks, a forced fumble, and a pair of recoveries. He earned a spot on the First Team.

Under Defensive Coordinator Kory David, the Eastern defensive line has become deep and athletic. Even with injuries early on, the Eagles brought pressure from all spots.

Freddie DiNardo finished with a team-high five sacks to earn a spot on the Second Team. As he grew into his role, the first year from Philadelphia seemed to get better every game. HIs five sacks all came in the final six games.

Moody and Jackson-Alston each played different roles in the backfield.

Moody, the only player on the Eastern roster to exhaust his eligibility, claims his third All-MAC Honor. After making 212 tackles in his first two seasons, Moody made 73 stops this year as the Eastern linebacker group let less guys through. He finished the year with nine tackles for loss and three sacks.

Jackson-Alston earned first-team honors for his ability to cover. In a league where many teams loved to pass the ball, very few teams found success throwing against the Eagles. Even fewer teams found success throwing against Jackson-Alston. Teams completed only 45 percent of their passes against the Eagles. Jackson Alston was credited with 11 pass break-ups.

The Eagles also excelled in the third phase. Four members of Eastern's 'Special Ops' squad claimed recognition from the league.

Punter John Westfield and Long-Snapper Sean McNamara both claimed spots on the First Team. The duo were influential in helping the Eagles to control the field position game.

Kicker John Nolek and Returner Chris Rivera earned spots Second Team. Nolek made eight field goals and was able to pin teams deep with kicks. He was 33-of-35 on extra points. Rivera averaged nearly 30 yards per return, but his influence on the game came as teams often opted to kick short rather than give him a chance to make a big play.

MAC coaches recognized the work done by Crocker by naming him Coach of the Year. Crocker would acknowledge that one of the biggest steps in his squad's success and in garnering that honor was his ability to hire and retain an outstanding staff. Offensive Coordinator Nate Hinkle has been with Crocker since the beginning, and Colin Scott and Kory David have grown with their position groups for three and two years respectively and have helped to design offensive and defensive schemes that have grown with the players on the squad.

Eastern's team features 26 players who were with the squad since before it played a game and several more in a junior class that came in for the first competitive season. Most of those players enrolled at Eastern in their first year of college.

Eastern had one players, Moody, named to an All-MAC Team in 2024 and seven players receive Honorable Mention. 

As MAC Champions, Eastern Football will compete in the 2025 Division III National Tournament. The Eagles will open in the second round at Franklin & Marshall College on Nov. 29.