RICHMOND, Va. – The Monmouth University football program collected multiple honors and placed 12 different student-athletes across the All-CAA teams as the league announced its 2025 postseason awards on Tuesday. Running back Rodney Nelson was named the CAA Offensive Player of the Year, while redshirt freshman defensive end Lamont Lester Jr. earned CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year, highlighting the most decorated postseason haul in Monmouth's four-year CAA tenure.  
 
Nelson became the fourth consecutive Hawk to win the league's top offensive honor after producing one of the most dominant rushing seasons in program history. The redshirt sophomore led the CAA and ranked second nationally with 1,802 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, surpassing 100 yards in nine of 12 games and posting three 20-yard performances. His 1,802 yards are the second-highest single-season total in Monmouth history and the fifth-most in CAA history. Nelson also led the entire FCS in all-purpose yards (2,031), adding 30 receptions for 229 yards and a score.
 
Lester's selection as Defensive Rookie of the Year capped an extraordinary debut season for the edge rusher. The Jersey City native recorded 37 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, and forced two fumbles – finishing tied for second in the CAA and 11^th nationally in sacks. He contributed to at least one sack in nine of 12 contests while emerging as one of the nation's most disruptive young defenders.
 
In addition to the two major awards, Monmouth placed five Hawks on the All-CAA First Team, highlighted by Nelson, wide receiver Josh Derry, offensive lineman JT Cornelius, Lester, and safety Jaeden Jones. Derry earned First Team honors after ranking tied for the FCS lead with 1,123 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns – the latter setting the program's single-season record which stood for over 20 seasons (Miles Austin – 12, 2003). Jones racked up a team-high 118 total tackles, a mark that ranks third in single-season program history, while filling the stat sheet with five tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, three pass breakups, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Cornelius appeared on his second straight All-CAA Team, besting his Second Team honor from 2024.
 
Monmouth added three players to the All-CAA Second Team, including quarterback Derek Robertson, wide receiver TJ Speight, and defensive lineman Josiah Graham. Despite missed five games, Robertson led the conference with 27 touchdown passes and was third in passing yards with 2,482. His 27 touchdowns ranked fifth in the country and third in a single season by a Monmouth quarterback. Speight (72) joined Derry (76) atop the CAA in receptions, becoming the first pair of Hawks to surpass 70 catches in the same season. He was fifth in the conference with 861 receiving yards, marking back-to-back years eclipsing 800 yards through the air. In his first year in West Long Branch, Graham notched 9.5 sacks, tying Lester for the fifth best season by a Hawk sack-getter. The Virginia native also added a league-best four forced fumbles while recording 10.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.
 
The Hawks rounded out their postseason recognition with two Third Team selections: offensive lineman Chris Moreno, who earned his first career postseason honor, and special teamer Jaeden Jones – who appears as a dual honoree (First Team, Safety). Additionally, tight end Jack Neri, offensive lineman Shalik Hubbard and cornerback Izzy Clark-White received Honorable Mention recognition.
 
Monmouth notched its sixth ever season with nine or more wins in 2025, finishing with a record of 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the CAA. Throughout the season, the Hawks recorded their highest poll rankings in program history, reaching the No. 6 spot in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 7 in the STATS Perform Media Top 25. The Hawks finished the year at No. 16 and No. 21, respectively.
 
Full List of Monmouth University 2025 All-CAA Honors

CAA Offensive Player of the Year: RB – Rodney Nelson

First Team All-CAA
RB – Rodney Nelson
WR – Josh Derry
OL – JT Cornelius
DL – Lamont Lester Jr.
S – Jaeden Jones
 
Second Team All-CAA
QB – Derek Robertson
WR – TJ Speight
DL – Josiah Graham
 
Third Team All-CAA
OL – Chris Moreno
SPEC – Jaeden Jones
 
Honorable Mention:
TE – Jack Neri
OL – Shalik Hubbard
CB – Izzy Clark-White