Football | 11/20/2025 1:00:00 PM
The Empire 8 conference announced its 2025 Football All-Conference awards on Thursday, November 20. The awards are voted on by the league's head coaches. Empire 8 champion SUNY Cortland claimed a pair of individual awards and had a league-best 20 players earn 21 all-conference honors.
Utica University senior quarterback Tyler Szalkowski was named the 2025 Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year, while SUNY Cortland senior linebacker Aden Wiser was named the E8 Defensive Player of the Year. The SUNY Cortland coaching staff, led by first-year head coach Tom Blumenauer was named the Coaching Staff of the Year. A pair of student-athletes from SUNY Brockport also earned individual awards, as junior Zach McGowan was named the E8 Special Teams Player of the Year and first-year linebacker Nazhier Wilson was named Rookie of the Year.
Szalkowski, a native of Rochester, NY, has enjoyed a tremendous season for the Pioneers, who finished the regular season with an 8-2 mark and will host Rowan University in the ECAC’s Asa A. Bushnell Bowl on Nov. 22. He has completed 249-of-358 passes (69.5 completion percentage) for 3,281 yards and 30 touchdowns to just six interceptions in 10 games. He is fourth nationally in total passing yards and passing yards per game (328.1), tied for ninth with his 30 passing TDs and is 17th in both completion percentage and passing efficiency (170.8). Szalkowski, who has thrown for at least 300 yards in a game five times this season, is the third Utica student-athlete to earn E8 Offensive Player of the Year honors, joining Andrew Benkwitt (2012) and Nate Palmer (2022).
Wiser, a native of Highland, NY, is one of the leaders of a Cortland defensive unit that has allowed just over 12 points per game this season. He has 33 tackles from his linebacker position, including a league-high seven sacks to go along with 9.5 tackles for a loss (tied for fourth in the E8), two pass breakups, an interception and forced fumble. He had a season-high three sacks in a win over SUNY Morrisville on Sept. 27. Wiser is the third Cortland player to win E8 Defensive Player of the Year honors, joining Nick Lardaro (2024) and Dylan Dubuque (2021).
McGowan, who hails from Tonawanda, NY, was a tremendous weapon in the kicking game for Brockport. He leads the league, averaging 63.0 yards per kickoff, with a league-leading 36 touchbacks in 64 kickoff attempts. In addition, he has made 6-of-7 field goals on the season, with a long of 41 yards and is 30-for-34 on point-after attempts. McGowan is the second Brockport student-athlete to earn E8 Special Teams Player of the Year honors, joining Brett Renzi (2017).
Wilson, a linebacker from Rochester, NY has enjoyed an excellent debut season for SUNY Brockport, with 49 total tackles (17 solo and 32 assisted) in 10 games this season. He also has 9.5 tackles for a loss (tied for fourth in the E8), five quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and fumble recovery. He recorded a season-high 10 tackles with the forced fumble and fumble recovery at Cortland on Nov. 8. Wilson is the fifth Brockport player to be named Empire 8 Rookie of the Year.
Blumenauer and his staff led the Red Dragons to their fifth straight Empire 8 Championship. Cortland earned the Empire 8’s automatic berth into the 2025 NCAA Championship Tournament and will travel to face Springfield College in an opening round game at noon on Saturday, Nov. 22. Cortland, the 2023 NCAA National Champion, has now won 33 straight Empire 8 games dating back to 2019. is ranked 13th nationally, allowing just 12.8 points per game, 12th with 16 interceptions as a team, and third nationally, having forced 29 turnovers. The Red Dragons enter the tournament having out-scored its opponents, 389-128 this season and are ranked No. 22 in the AFCA Division III Coaches poll. Cortland is making its 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
The Red Dragons had nine different players earn All-Empire 8 first team accolades, while SUNY Brockport also had nine different (10 total) first team selections to lead the E8. Seven Utica standouts and Noah Carrier from Alfred State also garnered first team honors. Brockport running back Isaiah Simmons and offensive lineman Adam Montalvo, along with Cortland offensive lineman Aidan Glynn and cornerback Nazair Jean-Lubin garnered All-Empire 8 first team accolades for the second straight season.
One member of each team was named that institution's representative on the 2025 Empire 8 Football Tomorrow’s Leaders Team. This team honors a student-athlete who has emerged as a leader not only on the field of play, but in the classroom and in the community. In addition, they “compete with honor and integrity” and have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportsmen.
“Developing character and integrity is a hallmark of the Empire 8,” said E8 Executive Director
Chuck Mitrano. “This series is proof that Empire 8 and our member institutions are committed to intercollegiate athletics’ important role in higher education.”
2025 Empire 8 Football All-Conference Selections
Offensive Player of the Year: Tyler Szalkowski, Sr., QB, Utica
Defensive Player of the Year: Aden Wiser, Sr., LB, SUNY Cortland
Special Teams Player of the Year: Zach McGowan, Jr., K/P, SUNY Brockport
Rookie of the Year: Nazhier Wilson, Fr., LB, SUNY Brockport
Coaching Staff of the Year: SUNY Cortland, led by Head Coach Tom Blumenauer
Empire 8 First Team Offense
Tyler Szalkowski, Sr., QB, Utica (Rochester, NY/Aquinas)
Noah Currier, Jr., RB, Alfred State (Oakfield, NY/Oakfield-Alabama)
Isaiah Simmons, Jr., RB, SUNY Brockport (Buffalo, NY/South Park)
Logan Wendt, Sr., FB, SUNY Cortland (Lockport, NY/Lockport)
Julian McGaughy, Sr., OL, SUNY Brockport (Jamestown, NY/Jamestown)
Adam Montalvo, Sr., OL, SUNY Brockport (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac)
Aidan Glynn, Sr., OL, SUNY Cortland (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place)
Nate Graser, Sr., OL, SUNY Cortland (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool)
Kevin Whalen, Sr., OL, SUNY Cortland (Montrose, NY/Hendrick Hudson)
Logan Frederick, Sr., TE, Utica (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls)
Daniel Manneh, Sr., WR, SUNY Brockport (Parkhill, NY/Curtis)
Antonio Cianfarani, Sr., WR, Utica (Scotia, NY/Scotia Glenville)
Bryce Palmer, Sr., WR, Utica (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherill)
Noah Currier, Jr., All-Purpose, Alfred State (Oakfield, NY/Oakfield-Alabama)
Empire 8 First Team Defense/Special Teams
Jayden Ferell, Fr., DL, SUNY Brockport (Rochester, NY/James Monroe)
Jayson Thomas, Sr., DL, SUNY Brockport (Shirley, NY/William Floyd)
George Gjelaj, Jr., DL, SUNY Cortland (Bedford, NY/Byram Hills)
Jordyn Davis, Jr., DL, Utica (Hempstead, NY/Uniondale)
Luca Friedman, Sr., LB, SUNY Brockport (Bedford Hills, NY/Fox Lane)
Aidan Lochner, Jr., LB, SUNY Cortland (Ravena, NY/Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk)
Aden Wiser, Sr., LB, SUNY Cortland (Highland, NY/Highland)
Kyle Slywka, So., DB, SUNY Brockport (Waterloo, NY/Waterloo)
Alessandro DeRosa, Sr., DB, SUNY Cortland (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder)
Nazair Jean-Lubin, Jr., DB, SUNY Cortland (Freeport, NY/Freeport)
Eli Douglas, Gr., DB, Utica (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley)
Zach McGowan, Jr., K, SUNY Brockport (Tonawanda, NY/Sweet Home)
Devin Taylor, Sr., P, Utica (New Port Richey, FL/Wendell Krinn Technical)
Daniel Manneh, Jr., Return Specialist, SUNY Brockport (Parkhill, NY/Curtis)
Empire 8 Second Team Offense
Mike Rescigno, So., QB, SUNY Cortland (Arlington, NY/Arlington)
Ethan Gallo, So., RB, SUNY Cortland (Slate Hill, NY/Minisink Valley)
Issac Sylvain, Sr., RB, SUNY Morrisville (Schenectady, NY/Green Tech Charter)
Scotty Thompson, Jr., FB, Utica (Fairport, NY/Fairport)
Ryan Belanger, Sr., OL, Alfred (Wayland, NY/Wayland-Cohocton)
Liam Malgieri, Jr., OL, SUNY Brockport (Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius)
Jake Hromada, Sr., OL, SUNY Cortland (Ancram, NY/Hudson)
Elijah Williams, Sr., OL, St. John Fisher (Buffalo, NY/Cleveland Hill)
ADante Bianchino, Jr., OL, Utica (Albany, NY/Shaker)
Kyle Trinkle, Jr., TE, Hartwick (Monroe, NY/Monroe-Woodbury)
Sam Cotton, Jr., WR, SUNY Cortland (Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley)
Jacque LaPrarie, Jr., WR, SUNY Cortland (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West)
Jaylen Brantley, Sr., WR, St. John Fisher (Syracuse, NY/Fowler)
Daniel Manneh, Sr., All-Purpose, SUNY Brockport (Parkhill, NY/Curtis)
Empire 8 Second Team Defense/Special Teams
Micheal Davis, So., DL, Alfred (Canton, PA/Canton)
Gavin Guers, Sr., DL, SUNY Cortland (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Blue Mountain)
Nicholas DeForrest, Jr., DL, Utica (Rome, NY/Holland Patent)
Mason Miranowicz, Jr., DL, Utica (Pine Bush, NY/Pine Bush)
Thomas Welch, Sr., LB, Alfred (Avon, NY/Avon)
Nazhier Wilson, Fr., LB, SUNY Brockport (Rochester, NY/James Monroe)
Jack Tanoory, So., LB, St. John Fisher (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy)
Colton Thorp, So., DB, SUNY Brockport (Hilton, NY/Hilton)
Anthony Luciano, So., DB, SUNY Cortland (Loudonville, NY/Shaker)
Eric Sparkman, Sr., DB, SUNY Morrisville (Syracuse, NY/Henninger)
Timothy Vanderbrink, Jr., DB, St. John Fisher (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West)
Cole Callard, Fr., K, SUNY Cortland (Medina, NY/Medina)
Colin McGovern, So., P, Alfred (New City, NY/Clarkstown North)
Noah Currier, Jr., Return Specialist, Alfred State (Oakfield, NY/Oakfield-Alabama)
Empire 8 Third Team Offense
Ben Gocella, Jr., QB, SUNY Brockport (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park)
Mason Lister, Jr., QB, St. John Fisher (Sayre, PA/Athens Area)
Tommy Nyquist, So., RB, Alfred (Warren, PA/Warren Area)
Camden Chance, Sr., RB, St. John Fisher (Clyde, NY/Clyde-Savannah)
Lucas Freeland, Sr., FB, Alfred (Buffalo, NY/West Seneca West)
Conor Todd, Sr., OL, Alfred (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse)
Maxwell Clar, Jr., OL, Alfred State (Victor, NY/Victor)
Austin Cummings, So., OL, Hartwick (Pavillion, NY/Pavillion Central)
Darrin Sloan, Sr., OL, SUNY Morrisville (Mount Vernon, NY/Mount Vernon)
Justin Rojek, Sr., OL, St. John Fisher (Buffalo, NY/Cleveland Hill)
Jacon Sturgis, Jr., OL, St. John Fisher (Rochester, NY/Rush-Henrietta)
Aidan Olsen, Jr., OL, Utica (Rotterdam, NY/Schalmont)
Dylan Kiely, Sr., TE, SUNY Cortland (Wading River, NY/Shoreham-Wading River)
Carmine Hoag, So., WR, Alfred (Salamanca, NY/Salamanca)
Xavier Gaines, Sr., WR, SUNY Morrisville (Pomona, NY/Ramapo)
Jackson Cusack, Jr., WR, St. John Fisher (Fultonville, NY/Fonda-Fultonville)
Sam Cotton, Jr., All-Purpose, SUNY Cortland (Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley)
Matthew Pallouras, Jr., All-Purpose, Utica (Rochelle Park, NJ/Hackensack)
Empire 8 Third Team Defense/Special Teams
Jaedon Adjei, Sr., DL, Alfred (Rochester, NY/Webster Thomas)
Gage Cornell, So., DL, Alfred State (Gouverneur, NY/Gouverneur)
Brennan McNeilly, Sr., DL, Hartwick (Lindenhurst, NY/Lindenhurst)
Ty Rader, Jr., DL, St. John Fisher (Victor, NY/Victor)
Kanye Davis, Jr., LB, SUNY Brockport (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran)
Dillon English, Sr., LB, SUNY Morrisville (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas)
Isaiah Thomas, So., LB, Utica (Kingston, NY/Kingston)
Jack Bestpitch, Jr., DB, Alfred (Buffalo, NY/St. Mary’s of Lancaster)
Allen Flore Jr., Sr., DB, SUNY Cortland (Manorville, NY/Eastport-South Manor)
Liam Nealy, So., DB, SUNY Brockport (Vestal, NY/Vestal)
Mason Payton, Sr., DB, Utica (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay)
Dominic Bronco, Jr., K, Alfred (Rochester, NY/Aquinas)
Connor Parker, Fr., P, SUNY Brockport (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee)
Ravi Dass Jr., Jr., Return Specialist, SUNY Cortland (Somers, NY/Somers)
Empire 8 Tomorrow’s Leaders Team
Aidan Ploss, Gr., DL, Alfred (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer)
Jacob Robinson, Sr., WR, Alfred State (Melville, NY/Half Hollow Hills)
Darius Cervi, Jr., LB, SUNY Brockport (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster)
Liam Casey, Jr., LB, SUNY Cortland (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh)
Ben Kirkland, Sr., LB, Hartwick (Buffalo, NY/Amherst)
Elijah Rawleigh, Sr., DB, SUNY Morrisville (Watertown, NY/General Brown)
Tyler Marks, Sr., LB, St. John Fisher (Elmira, NY/Elmira)
Eze Frazier, Jr., RB, Utica (Garnerville, NY/North Rockland)