Lakers Litter All-MSFA Teams For Final NAIA Season

CHICAGO – Roosevelt was well represented on the Mid-States Football Association's All-Midwest League teams with 11 selections across the two all-conference teams, the conference announced Monday.

The Lakers had six first-team honorees and another five players were honored on the second team in addition to the three honorable mention players every team receives. The honors were split evenly between the offense and defense with five players on each side being recognized in addition to punter Andrew Bucaro, who was a second-team pick.

"I am very happy for all of these student-athletes who were recognized for their efforts during the 2023 season," Roosevelt head coach Jared Williamson said. "They are very deserving and represented our program well. I know they would agree that these accolades would not be possible without many of their teammate's efforts as well."

Leading the way on the first team was the dynamic offensive duo of Carson Budke at quarterback and Tyler Tenner at running back. Hayden Ferrigno picked up his first all-conference honor as a first-team offensive lineman, helping pave the way for the Lakers' explosive rushing attack. On defense, Charlie Brooks and Corties Draper returned to the all-conference teams while Joey Mahop earned his first career honor.

If you exclude his two relief appearances to start the season, Budke led the MSFA Midwest with 222.4 passing yards per game in his eight starts, tossing 19 touchdowns, the most by a Roosevelt quarterback and most in the program since 2016.

Budke was aided, of course, by Tenner, the Lakers' nominee for Offensive Player of the Year. He became just the fifth player to eclipse 1,000 yards on the ground and added 12 touchdowns as well. In addition to leading the league in rushing, Tenner ranked sixth nationally with 112.6 yards per game while also finishing the top-15 across the country in rushing touchdowns and all-purpose yards per game.

"Tyler's statistics speak for themselves not only in the MSFA and the NAIA," Williamson said. "His leadership, toughness, and character represent what a LAKER is on and off the field."

Brooks was a dominant force on the defensive line for the Lakers to move up from a second-team pick a year ago to being a first-team selection this season. The senior registered six sacks among his 10.5 tackles for loss this season and added a fumble recovery and interception as well.

Draper earned his third consecutive first-team honor as the leader on the Lakers' defense from his spot at linebacker. The senior had six sacks, forced two fumbles and had an interception while also finishing second on the team with 64 tackles.

Meanwhile, Mahop was Roosevelt's pick for Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference with six interceptions and 13 passes defended. Both totals ranked among the top-three of all players in the NAIA this season, not to mention he also returned an interception for a touchdown this year. The junior is one of the key players the Lakers will count on next season in the move to NCAA Division II.

"Joey's interceptions were a key turning points in many games this year," Williamson said. "He got better and better each week, and I am looking forward to his growth this offseason."

Bucaro earned his second straight second-team honor at punter after pinning 13 of his 38 punts inside the 20 with just four touchbacks this season. He was joined on the second team by defensive lineman Jordan Payne as well as defensive back Stacey Terry. Offensively, receiver Keonta Nixon and tight end Jacob Biddle were also second-team picks. All four of those players were first-time all-conference honorees.

Payne led the Lakers and finished third in the conference with 7.5 sacks this season while also ranking third on the team with 38 tackles. Terry finished the season with four interceptions and three passes broken up. Nixon was Roosevelt's leading receiver with 34 catches for 717 yards and six touchdowns, finishing fourth in the conference in receiving yards per game. Biddle was a strong blocker to lead Roosevelt's dominant rushing attack, but also caught 24 passes for four touchdowns this year.

Roosevelt's three honorable mention selections were defensive lineman Dominic Barbosa, his second consecutive honorable mention nod, defensive lineman Ryan Hatter, and linebacker Jaylen Olokun, who led the Lakers with 86 tackles, including 12.5 for loss.