LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Football team produced 13 All-GSC recipients as the Conference announced the 2025 Yearly Awards on Wednesday.
Ben Newton, JT Hooten, Elijah Guyton, Austin McCready, and Jaden Taylor were named First Team All-GSC while Spencer Arceneaux, Brayden Jenkins, Dearrius Nelson, TD Parker, Mason Hiller, Marquis Robinson, Jamari Jemison, and Houston Johnson were named Second Team.
FIRST TEAM
Hooten and Newton headline the Tigers' group. Hooten was a finalist for the GSC Defensive Player of the Year award after leading West Alabama and ranking third in the league in tackles with 69 tackles. The Sophomore ranked second in the GSC with tackles per game with 7.7 per contest. For Newton, he was the leader on the O-Line for UWA as he started all 9 games at Center. Newton anchored a West Alabama offensive line that led the Tigers to 198.6 rushing yards per game which led the conference.
UWA's Special Teams was one of the best in the conference. The Tigers were awarded with their play as Guyton, McCready, and Taylor were all named to the First Team for Special Teams. As West Alabama's Placekicker, Guyton converted on 11 of his 12 attempts this season with a season and career long of 51 yards. The redshirt sophomore's field goal percentage ranks second in the country, putting him in contention for further awards. At Punter, McCready turned in an incredible year. The senior totaled 1,843 yards on 42 punts, averaging 43.8 yards per punt. McCready's Net Punting yards of 40.8 ranks fourth in all of Division II. As for Taylor, he's is now a two-time First Team All-GSC recipient. Similar to last season, the Safety put in quality work on West Alabama's kickoff and punt coverage units.
SECOND TEAM
Arceneaux earns the first All-GSC selection of his career after putting together his best season in 2025. The Quarterback threw for 2,021 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding 622 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. At Running Back, Jenkins earned a Second Team nod after ranking third in the conference with 61.9 rushing yards per game. The Junior missed two games but still managed to total 433 yards and seven touchdowns on the year.
At Wide Receiver, the duo of Dearrius Nelson and Parker garner their first All-GSC selection. Nelson led the team in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns with 30 receptions, 502 yards, and five touchdowns. As for Parker, he put together a stat line of 25 catches, 490 yards, and four touchdowns.
Up front, Mason Hiller joins Newton as an All-GSC selection. Hiller was instrumental in West Alabama's offense in both pass protection and run blocking. On the Defensive Line, Marquis Robinson led the group. Robinson totaled 36.0 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks in 2025. In the secondary, Jamari Jemison was the Tigers' top corner back all year long. The Graduate Student led the team with five pass breakups along with 29.0 tackles, two forced fumbles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 1.0 sack.
Houston Johnson was one of the top punt returners in the country as he ranked third in the nation with 15.5 yards per return. The senior returned 11 punts for 170 yards, including a 60 yard touchdown return against Delta State.
