RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference (GAC) has announced its 2025 football all-conference awards, and once again Mulerider Football records a phenomenal showing in the honors, as fourth-year Head Coach
Brad Smiley and his Muleriders account for 19 All-GAC awards with another 16 being named to the All-GAC Honor Roll. The 19 players named to the All-GAC list tops last season
's mark of 17 honorees.
Mulerider Offense
The Mulerider offense was consistently one of the top rushing programs in the GAC this season finishing the year 2nd in the GAC in rushing yards per game with a mark of 216.7 yards per game (20
th nationally). The Muleriders also totaled 22 rushing touchdowns on the year, a mark that was good for third in the GAC along with 2,384 yards, which was also good for second in the GAC (20
th nationally). The offensive line was also a standout unit this season, only allowing nine sacks on the year, which is good for second in the league (8
th nationally).
In total, 10 Mulerider offensive players were named to All-GAC teams.
Arkez Gomez | Junior | The Woodlands, Texas
All-GAC First Team (UTL)
Connor Hagerty | Junior | Marshall, Texas
All-GAC First Team (OL)
Jacob Trussell | R-Sophomore | Georgetown, Texas
All-GAC Second Team (TE)
Hezekiah Harris | Junior | Miami, Florida
All-GAC Third Team (QB)
Katrevion Thomas | R-Freshman | Mineral Springs, Arkansas
All-GAC Third Team (RB)
Patrick Sixbey | Junior | El Dorado, Arkansas
Third Team All-GAC (FB)
Deandra Burns Jr. | R-Sophomore | El Dorado, Arkansas
Third Team All-GAC (WR)
Kendall Williams | Senior | Tatum, Texas
Third Team All-GAC (WR)
Matthew Elder | R-Freshman | Bryant, Arkansas
Third Team All-GAC (OL)
Tate Settle | R-Freshman | Bryant, Arkansas
Third Team All-GAC (OL)
Mulerider Defense
The Mulerider defense also had a strong showing this season for a second year in a row as they finished 3
rd in the league in points allowed per game, with a mark of 20.8 (37
th nationally) while also finishing second in the conference in sacks, with 28 total (30
th nationally). The defense also ranked 16
th nationally in turnover margin, gaining 19 turnovers this season while only losing 10. The defense led the league in interceptions with 16 (8
th nationally).
In total, seven individuals garnered defensive awards.
Casey Cobb | Senior | Farmersville, Louisiana
Second Team All-GAC (DE)
Nathan Earle Jr. | Senior | Cypress, Texas
Secon Team All-GAC (DL)
Hunter Hewitt | Senior | Austin, Texas
Second Team All-GAC (OLB)
Zay Woods | Senior | Carthage, Texas
Second Team All-GAC (CB)
Ken Ellison | Senior | Houston, Texas
Third Team All-GAC (ILB)
Kendrick Juniel | Junior | Bearden, Arkansas
Third Team All-GAC (ILB)
Tutt McGlothan | R-Freshman | Cotton Valley, Louisiana
Third Team All-GAC (S)
Special Teams
The special teams unit was not forgotten as they provided support for the team all year in the third aspect of the game. The unit saw a pair of players named to the All-GAC list as Magnolia native
Jay Todd Baker made the list as well as
Caleb Phillips.
Baker led the league in punt average with a mark of 44.7 yards per punt while also downing 11 inside the 20-yard line, 12 punts over 50+ yards and a long of 69 yards on the season.
Jay Todd Baker | Junior | Magnolia, Arkansas
First Team All-GAC (P)
Caleb Phillips | Sophomore | The Woodlands, Texas
Third Team All-GAC (S/T)
GAC Honor Roll
