RIVER FOREST, ILL. -- The end of the 2025 football season means postseason honors and eight Cougars wrote their names on the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) All-Conference list. Wesley Jackson (Robinson, Ill.), Joron Brown (St. Joseph, Mich.), Kevon Lawson (Pompano Beach, Fla.), Adam Lambaz (Elgin, Ill.), Kadin Stroer (Warrenton, Mo.), Daniel Banks (Chicago, Ill.), Ezekiel Pearson (Richville, Mich.), Hagan Wascher (Frankenmuth, Mich.) all earned this distinction, with five athletes earning All-Conference accolades for the first time in their career.

First Team
Jackson was the lone Cougar named to First Team, picking up the singular tight end spot on the list after a star-studded junior season. This year, Jackson totaled 343 receiving yards on only 23 receptions, averaging 34.3 yards per game. He collected five touchdowns across ten games. Jackson picked up a career-high 85-yard reception two times this season against Eureka College and Rockford University, scoring two touchdowns in both games as well. Jackson finished top 20 in the NACC in yards per game. This is the second time Jackson has earned All-Conference accolades after being named to First Team last season as well. 

Second Team
For the second time in his career, Brown was named to the NACC All-Conference Second Team. Brown led the Cougars on the ground this season, picking up a total of 733 yards, averaging 73.3 yards per game. He picked up seven touchdowns on the season across ten games. Brown picked up a career-high 166 rushing yards against Rockford University, He also added in 105 total yards in the air across ten receptions. Brown finished fifth in the NACC in rushing yards per game, total rushing yards, and touchdowns. Brown picked up NACC Offensive Player of the Week accolades on September 16th after leading the team to their second consecutive win of the season against Manchester University. 

In his freshman campaign, Lawson made an immediate impact and earned his spot on the NACC All-Conference Second Team. Lawson led in the air for the Cougars, picking up 783 yards on 59 receptions, averaging 78.3 per game. He picked up ten touchdowns across ten games. Lawson collected a career-high and school record tying 95-yard reception against Manchester University while collecting 102 receiving yards as well. That career-high would be broken later in the season as Lawson would go on to pick up 185 yards in the air against Rockford University while also collecting three touchdowns. Lawson finished second in the NACC in receiving yards per game, touchdowns, and receptions per game while leading the NACC in longest reception for the season. 

Lambaz made his first appearance on the NACC All-Conference list after a strong defensive performance in his junior season. Lambaz had his name in nearly every statistical category this season, picking up 32 total tackles, 13 of which were solo. He is credited with three sacks for a total loss of 28 yards while forcing one fumble and recovering one fumble. He picked up one interception on the year for a gain of three yards. Lambaz saw a career-high six tackles in the win against University of Minnesota-Morris in the season opener. He finished in the top 25 in the NACC for sacks per game. 

Rounding out the NACC All-Conference Second Team accolades was Stroer, who made his freshman debut in the maroon and gold with a season to remember. Stroer led the defense with 99 total tackles, 60 of which were solo. He also led the team in interceptions with two and quarterback hurries with two. Stroer picked up nine tackles for loss on the season for a total of 32 yards, finishing 16th in the NACC in the same category. He finished second in the NACC in total tackles and average per game while leading the NACC this season in solo tackles. 

Honorable Mention
Picking up his second consecutive NACC All-Conference accolades, Banks picked up a spot on the Honorable Mention list. Banks held the offensive line strong giving up no sacks on the season and only allowing four pressures. He held strong all season with his most notable performance coming against Benedictine University where he held the conference leader in sacks to no pressures and no sacks. He held strong for all three quarterbacks in ten games this season and collected his second All-NACC honors in as many years. 

Another first appearance on the NACC All-Conference list was Pearson, earning Honorable Mention for his junior season. Another key member of the offensive line, Pearson helped lock down in all ten games he appeared in. He was a dependable anchor, consistently maintaining his position and denying opponents a way through to all three of the Cougars' quarterbacks this season.

Rounding out the All-Conference honors and earning Honorable Mention in his debut season is Wascher, who played an instrumental role in the Cougar defense this season. He dominated on the field as a defensive back, collecting 54 total tackles, 32 of which were solo. He totaled six tackles for loss for a loss of 15 yards. He added in four breakups in his ten games played. Wascher finished top 25 in the NACC in total tackles and 12th in the NACC in solo tackles. 

The Cougars finished the season 4-6 overall and 2-6 in NACC play. To keep up with all things Cougar Football in the offseason head to cucougars.com or follow along on X and Instagram @CUCFBFamily.