MINNEAPOLIS— When D3football.com today released its All-America lists for the 2025 football season, three members of Eastern University's third-year program earned All-America Honors on the prestigious website's 27th list of honorees. Jason Bateman, Gashawn Moody Sr., and Salif Nikiema each played a standout role on a defense ranked at the top of the MAC and near the top of the country in many categories. 

Bateman, a junior from Upper Darby, earned First-Team honors as a linebacker. The MAC Defensive Player of the year led the Eagles in tackles and finished tied for the national lead with seven forced fumbles. His strip-sack late in the game at Misericordia helped put the Eagles in the driver's seat for their first MAC Title and an NCAA bid. Bateman was providing pressure on Moody's interception that helped secure an NCAA Tournament win at Franklin & Marshall. With track speed and great durability, Bateman played multiple roles in the defense that finished 13th nationally in total defense. He finished with six sacks and an interception. 

Moody, who earlier in the year picked up his third All-Region Honor from D3football.com, earned Second-Team honors as a safety. Early in his career, it seemed Moody had to make nearly all the tackles. As the program grew, and more guys got tackled in the first and second levels of the defense, Moody saw his role change. He still came up with huge hits and grabbed a pair of late game interceptions, while rushing the quarterback on some plays and dropping into coverage on others. He finishes his three-year Eastern career with over 300 total tackles. 

Nikiema was a mainstay on the defensive line who moved inside and out depending on rotations, scheme, and situation. As a key veteran on the line, finished the year with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss. The senior from Newark, N.J. was named a fourth-team All-American as a tackle. He jumped on the ball for a key fumble recovery after Bateman's strip-sack at Misericordia.

Eastern University Football began varsity competition in 2023. Just three years in, the Eagles won a MAC Title and an NCAA Tournament game. 

D3football.com will announce the National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year and the 2025 Coach of the Year after the Stagg Bowl on Jan. 4.

Click Here to see the complete list of All-America Honorees.