Mandy
The MIAA has officially revealed its All-Conference football selections, and the Emporia State Hornets were well represented.
The team finished the season with 13 total honorees, including three first-team players, two second-team selections, four third-team standouts, and four honorable mentions.
First-Team Selections
Landon Boss – Junior Linebacker
Junior linebacker Landon Boss delivered one of the most complete defensive seasons in program history. He recorded 101 tackles, 10 sacks, 11 QB hurries, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and a defensive touchdown.
Boss, from Osage City, was a unanimous first-team selection and also claimed MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, along with three Defensive Player of the Week awards.
Malik O’Atis – Sophomore Wide Receiver
After a modest freshman year, Malik O’Atis broke out as the Hornets’ top target following an early-season injury to Trendon Collins.
O’Atis hauled in 72 receptions for 717 yards and seven touchdowns, finishing third in the MIAA in receptions and yards, and second in touchdown catches. He produced multiple 100-yard games and established himself as the go-to option in 2025.
Dylan Davidson – Freshman Punter
Freshman punter Dylan Davidson posted impressive numbers, averaging 43.6 yards per punt, the best in the MIAA.
He led the conference with 14 punts of 50+ yards, had a long of 66 yards, was second in punts inside the 20 (18), and finished second in total punt yardage (2,657).
Second-Team Representatives
Talon Wheeler – Senior Offensive Lineman
Senior lineman Talon Wheeler anchored a young offensive unit with four double-digit knockdown games, including 12.5 knockdowns against Minot State.
Consistent and experienced, Wheeler capped off his Hornets career with another strong season in the trenches.
Tyler Schultze – Junior Cornerback
A third-team pick last year, Tyler Schultze climbed to the second team in 2025. While his interception total dropped from five to one, he still led the MIAA in passes defended with 15, tying for the national lead. His season included 14 pass breakups, 65 tackles, and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Third-Team Honorees
Kingsley Bennett – Senior Wide Receiver
The shift from running back to receiver proved successful for Kingsley Bennett, who caught 50 passes for 633 yards and seven touchdowns.
He ranked fifth in catches, fourth in yards, and tied for second in TDs. Bennett’s highlight performance came against Angelo State, with 8 receptions, 143 yards, and a 90-yard career-long catch.
Trevion Mitchell – Junior Offensive Lineman
Junior lineman Trevion Mitchell may not have matched Wheeler’s numbers but was highly consistent, earning the Squarehead Award four times.
His best performances came against Washburn and Minot State. With another year remaining, Mitchell is poised to become a future leader of the line.
Caden Dodson – Senior Kicker
Senior kicker Caden Dodson closed his career ranked among the MIAA’s best. This season, he made nine field goals, held a 75% accuracy rate, and ranked fifth in PATs with 31. Career-wise, he finishes second all-time at ESU in extra points (161) and third in field goals (37).
CJ Adams – Senior Defensive Lineman
Defensive captain CJ Adams ended his collegiate career with another conference honor after posting 25 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, and one forced fumble, including sacks against Missouri Southern and Northwest Missouri.
Honorable Mentions
Diego Cearns – Sophomore Running Back
In his first year as the primary back, Diego Cearns rushed for 788 yards on 150 carries (5.25 AVG) with seven touchdowns. He ranked second in the MIAA in rushing yards and tied for third in touchdowns, with multiple 100-yard performances.
Gabe Booker – Junior Linebacker
Transfer linebacker Gabe Booker added depth behind Boss, finishing with 53 tackles, 6.5 TFL, and a pass defended. His standout outings included nine tackles vs. Angelo State and five tackles with two TFLs vs. Missouri Western.
Peyton Taylor – Sophomore Defensive Back
Cornerback Peyton Taylor contributed significantly to ESU’s strong secondary, finishing fifth in the MIAA with 12 passes defended, along with 29 tackles and a TFL.
His season featured five pass breakups against Missouri Southern and three each versus Central Missouri and Washburn.
Nehemiah Figueroa – Graduate Defensive Back
Graduate defensive back Nehemiah Figueroa continued a streak of All-Conference recognition dating back to his NAIA days. For ESU, he posted 56 tackles, one TFL, four pass breakups, and two interceptions, tying third in the MIAA in picks.
The Emporia State Hornets wrapped up the season with an impressive collection of 13 All-MIAA honorees, reflecting the team’s growth, standout individual performances, and strong coaching culture.
Even with the season concluded, several Hornets may continue adding awards during the national and academic postseason recognition cycle.