Grand View University’s E.J. Peterson named the 2025 Walter Camp NAIA Coach of the Year
Grand View University’s E.J. Peterson has been named the 2025 Walter Camp NAIA Coach of the Year, following a historic season that culminated in the Vikings’ second consecutive NAIA National Championship.
Peterson, a 2011 Grand View alumnus and former standout player, took the reins of the program in December 2024 after serving six seasons as the team’s Defensive Coordinator. In his first year as head coach, he led the Vikings to a flawless 14-0 record, securing the Heart of America North Division title and a thrilling 22-16 victory over Keiser University in the NAIA Championship game on December 20. In the championship victory, Dalten Van Pelt rushed for 144 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown, and Jackson Waring threw a tiebreaking touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
A standout player at Grandview (2009-2010), Peterson was named All-Conference and All-American before starting his coaching journey. Prior to being named head coach, he served as the Vikings’ Defensive Coordinator, leading the Vikings to top NAIA defensive rankings and multiple national titles, earning Heart of America Assistant Coach of the Year.
He started his coaching career at McPherson College (2012-2018) as linebackers coach and strength coordinator before returning to his alma mater.
Walter Camp NAIA Coach of Year
2025 – E.J. Peterson, Grand View
William Penn running back Destynd Loring Named 2025 Walter Camp NAIA Player of the Year
William Penn University senior running back Destynd Loring has been named 2025 Walter Camp NAIA Player of the Year, recognizing his extraordinary performance and leadership throughout a record-setting season.
Loring led the NAIA in rushing with 1,949 yards and 30 rushing touchdowns, both of which set new single-season school records. His explosive playmaking and relentless work ethic powered the Statesmen to one of their most successful campaigns in program history.
In addition to the Walter Camp honor, Loring was also named the Heart of America Athletic Conference North Division Offensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the AFCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America First Team.
Loring’s 2025 campaign was marked by consistency and dominance. He averaged over 162 rushing yards per game and scored in every contest, helping William Penn reach the NAIA playoffs and finish with a national ranking.
A native of Charleston, S.C., Loring played scholastically at Wando High School.
Walter Camp NAIA Player of Year
2025 – Destynd Loring, RB, William Penn
2024 – Zach Chevalier, QB, Morningside
2025 Walter Camp NAIA All-America Team
Here is the 2025 Walter Camp NAIA All-America Team
Offense
Wide Receiver: David Hayes (St. Thomas, Fla.), Levi Torgerson (Montana Tech)
Tight End: Tanner Zimmerman (Benedictine)
Offensive Line: Hayden McDonald (Taylor), Zak Rachow (Briar Cliff), Ethan Hansen
(Dordt), Logan Penhollow (Indiana Wesleyan), Kyree Watkins (Friends)
Quarterback: Zach Chevalier (Morningside)
Running Back: Destynd Loring (William Penn), Davontaye Saunders (Lindey Wilson)
Placekicker: Alex Hanson (Reinhardt)
Defense
Defensive Line: Tai Lologo (Keiser), Jackson Filer (Grandview), Thomas Ibrahim
(Southeastern), Jordan Crawford (Texas Wesleyan)
Linebacker: Hunter Zirkle (Cumberlands), John Argo (Grandview), Tel Arthur (Montana
Tech)
Defensive Back: Isaiah Hasten (Benedictine), Cannon Johnson (Cumberland),
Braeden Orlandi (Carroll), Logan Carrington (Marian)
Punter: Drew Rader (Georgetown, Ky.)
Kick Returner: A.J. King (Tabor)
North Central’s Brad Spencer named 2025 Walter Camp Division III Coach of the Year
North Central’s Brad Spencer has been named the 2025 Walter Camp Division III Coach of the Year. Spencer has guided the Cardinals to a perfect 14-0 record and its fourth straight berth in the Division III national championship game.
North Central (14-0) will play the University of Wisconsin–River Falls for the first time in program history in the national championship (The Stagg Bowl) on Sunday, Jan. 4 at 8 p.m. at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Under Spencer’s direction, North Central led the nation in both scoring offense and scoring defense, continuing its reputation as one of the most formidable programs in the country.
This award marks Spencer’s second major national coaching honor of the season, following his selection as the AFCA Division III National Coach of the Year earlier in December.
After a stellar playing career as a wide receiver for the Cardinals (2001-2004), Spencer joined the North Central College coaching staff as a wide receivers/tight ends coach in 2004. After 11 seasons as the wide receivers coach, Spencer was promoted to assistant head coach and offensive coordinator prior to the 2015 season. In January 2022, he was appointed the 26th head coach in the history of the Cardinals’ program. In the time, Spencer has totaled an impressive 57-1 career record with two national titles (2022 and 2024).
Walter Camp Division III Coach of Year
2025 – Brad Spencer, North Central
Montie Quinn of Curry College Named 2025 Walter Camp Division III Player of the Year
Curry College senior running back Montie Quinn has been named the 2025 Walter Camp Division III Player of the Year, following one of the most dominant individual seasons in NCAA history.
Quinn led all NCAA divisions with an astounding 2,446 rushing yards and ranked second nationally with 27 rushing touchdowns. He was a huge part of the reason why Curry improved from 4-6 last season to 8-3 in 2025.
Among his many 2025 season highlights, Quinn set a new NCAA all-division single-game rushing record with 552 yards against Nichols College on October 18 — a performance that etched his name into the college football record books.
In addition to the Walter Camp honor, Quinn was named the Conference of New England Offensive Player of the Year, a two-time AFCA First Team All-American, and a Gagliardi Trophy finalist. He also earned the New England Football Writers College Division Gold Helmet Award and repeated as the Joe Zabilski Award winner.
Quinn’s 2025 campaign capped a remarkable collegiate career, during which he rewrote the Curry record books and became a national ambassador for Division III football excellence.
A native of Goose Creek, S.C., Quinn played scholastically at Stratford High School.
Walter Camp Division III Player of Year
2025 – Montie Quinn, RB, Curry
2024 – Aaron Syverson, QB, Saint John’s
2025 Walter Camp Division III All-America Team
Here is the 2025 Walter Camp Division III All-America Team
Offense
Wide Receiver: Thomas Skokna (North Central), Albert Rundell (Bethel)
Tight End: Logan Frederick (Utica)
Offensive Line: Dain Walter (Wisconsin LaCrosse), Giovanni Kennedy (Mount Union), Hayden Philpot (Hardin-Simmons), Reed Richards (Berry), Dave Casas (Delaware Valley)
Quarterback: Kaleb Blaha (Wisconsin-River Falls)
Running Back: Montie Quinn (Curry), Isaiah Simmons (SUNY Brockport)
Placekicker: Dominic Bourgeois (Susquehanna)
Defense
Defensive Line: Liam Danitz (Hope), JP Chaney (Aurora), John Sullivan (North Central), Kaleb Brown (Mount Union)
Linebacker: Gage Timm (Wisconsin-River Falls), Matt Conroy (Shenandoah), Aden Wiser (Cortland)
Defensive Back: Ethan Burrows (Adrian), Nick Strusowski (Ursinus), Carson Bourdo (Johns Hopkins), Dylan Connors (Wesleyan, Conn.)
Punter: Chase Lanham (Southwestern)
Kick Returner: Cree Cross (Centre)
