Titan Trio Named to All-CCIW Football Teams

Nazha named to first team, Smyth & Hansen land second team status

11/18/2025 10:48:00 AM

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University football team saw three reel in All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin status as the league announced its postseason honors Tuesday, Nov. 18. Sophomore Will Nazha (Barrington, Ill.-Barrington) was named to the first team, while juniors Dermot Smyth (Chicago, Ill.-Marist) and Matt Hansen (Chicago, Ill.-Marist) grabbed second team selections. Senior Danny Kent (Addison, Ill.-Fenwick) was named IWU's RESPECT Award recipient.

Nazha was one of the top receivers across Division III throughout 2025 while also playing a significant role on special teams. The sophomore hauled in team-highs of 71 catches and 918 receiving yards with seven touchdowns. Across the league, Nazha ranked second in receiving yards per game (91.8), first in catches, and second in total yards. A weapon on special teams, Nazha was the CCIW's most feared return man. He was second in the conference with 28.8 yards per kickoff return and is one of seven nationally with multiple kickoffs returned for touchdowns this season. Overall, Nazha's 1498 all-purpose yards led the CCIW and sit 17th nationally.

Smyth turned in the best season of his career in 2025, leading the Titan offense. He led the conference in passing yards with 2334 on the year, while throwing for 20 touchdowns. Smyth averaged 259.3 passing yards per game, while churning out 369 rushing yards. The Chicago, Ill. native led the team with nine rushing touchdowns, second-most in the CCIW, as a dual-threat QB. Smyth was twice named the CCIW's Offensive Player of the Week. Nationally, the junior ranks 16th in passing yards per completion (14.92), 22nd in points responsible for per game (19.1), 28th passing yards per game (260.3), and 37th in passing yards (2343).

Earning his second straight All-CCIW selection, Hansen repeated on the second team. Hansen racked up 38 tackles, 16 solo and 22 assisted. He led the Titans with seven tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks. Hansen topped IWU with nine quarterback hurries as a consistent pressure in the backfield. The junior also pulled in the first interception of his career at Carthage, Sept. 27.

Illinois Wesleyan went 4-6 overall in Jared Williamson's first year at the helm. The Titans will lose 11 seniors to graduation, while many key contributors are slated to return in 2026 including all three All-CCIW selections.

CCIW Art Keller Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year
Thomas Skokna, North Central

CCIW Don Larson Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year
John Sullivan, North Central

CCIW Offensive Line Student-Athlete of the Year
Cortez Jones, North Central

CCIW First-Year Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year
Jason Doyle, WashU

CCIW First-Year Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year
Mariano Talamantez, Carthage

CCIW Bob Reade Coaching Staff of the Year
North Central

All-CCIW First Team Offense
QB, Garrett Wilson, North Central
QB, Mark Forcucci, Wheaton
RB, Mikey Coleman, Carroll
RB, Donovan McNeal, North Central
WR, Will Nazha, Illinois Wesleyan
WR, Thomas Skokna, North Central
WR, Makael Carter, WashU
WR, Seth Kortenhoeven, Wheaton
TE, Reed Breckheimer, Carroll
TE, Ben Juska, Wheaton
OL, Max Castle, Augustana
OL, Jerred Durian, North Central
OL, Cortez Jones, North Central
OL, Brady Cavan, WashU
OL, Aiden Byrne, Wheaton
OL, Aidan Kingsbury, Wheaton

All-CCIW First Team Defense
DL, Michael Sneed, Carthage
DL, Bobby Medina, North Central
DL, Maverick Ohle, North Central
DL, Eli Renick, North Central
DL, John Sullivan, North Central
DL, Peter Johanik, Wheaton
LB, Matt Janiak, North Central
LB, Danny Nuccio, North Central
LB, Joy Chane, WashU
LB, Zeke Harris, Wheaton
LB, Luca Torti, Wheaton
DB, Toby Splitt, Augustana
DB, Brayden Garrigan, North Central
DB, Rahmareon Roby, North Central
DB, Ben Butler, North Park
DB, Colin Moore, Wheaton

All-CCIW First Team Specialists
RET, Jereme Ombogo, North Park
K, Aidan Ellison, North Central
P, Matias Adrogue, WashU

All-CCIW Second Team Offense
QB, Jimmy Makuh, Augustana
QB, Dermot Smyth, Illinois Wesleyan
QB, Levi Moore, WashU
RB, Bryce Frank, Carthage
RB, Matt Crider, Wheaton
WR, Sean Schlanser, Augustana
WR, Jack Rummell, North Central
WR, Wesley McCloud, North Park
WR, Caleb Titherington, Wheaton
TE, Jake Miller, Augustana
TE, Grant McAtee, North Central
TE, Riley Howard, Wheaton
OL, Max Katsenos, Augustana
OL, Tyson Cramer, North Central
OL, Brock Nunez, North Central
OL, Luke Gadomski, WashU
OL, David Nussbaum, Wheaton

All-CCIW Second Team Defense
DL, Jeremy Rowlett, Carthage
DL, Malakai Correa, Elmhurst
DL, Matt Hansen, Illinois Wesleyan
DL, Theo Smith, North Park
DL, Gyvnn Mendenhall, WashU
DL, Rex Kroger, Wheaton
LB, Ramon Campos, Carthage
LB, Briton Stanton, Carthage
LB, Alex Araiza, Millikin
LB, Ethan Groark, North Central
LB, Armando Martinez, North Park
LB, Brady Willmer, WashU
DB, Darren Oregon, Augustana
DB, Amarrion Bridges, Carroll
DB, Mariano Talamantez, Carthage
DB, Ryan Schmadtke, WashU
DB, Joseph Bracy, Wheaton

All-CCIW Second Team Specialists
K, Josiah Smith, Wheaton

CCIW RESPECT Award Recipients
Levi Burke, Augustana
Jackson Parman, Carroll
Mark Hunter, Carthage
Seth Desmore, Elmhurst
Danny Kent, Illinois Wesleyan
Aiden Etchason, Millikin
Alex Porter, North Central
Isaac Chandler, North Park
Fred Ware, WashU
Jaxon Powell, Wheaton

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