MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Eight members of the Wartburg College football team earned recognition on the 2025 D3football.com All-Region 5 Team, announced by the organization today.  

Wartburg placed four Knights on the first team in senior offensive lineman Cole Hotz, junior defensive lineman Conner McDonald, senior linebacker Keenan Tyler, and senior defensive back Conner Grover. Junior running back Dawson Rud and junior defensive lineman Jake Walker collected second-team honors, while freshman tight end Sam Heither and junior wide receiver Dylan Swanstrom were named to the third team.

Hotz (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock) earned his first all-region accolade after anchoring an offensive line that powered the American Rivers Conference's top rushing offense. The senior allowed just one sack all season and was a first-team All-A-R-C selection, along with earning D3football.com Team of the Week honors during the year.

McDonald (Congerville, Ill./Eureka) also secured his first all-region nod following a breakout junior campaign. He posted career highs in solo tackles (24), assisted tackles (19), total tackles (43), tackles for loss (13), and sacks (7). McDonald was a first-team All-A-R-C selection after leading Wartburg's defensive front.

Tyler (Decorah, Iowa/Decorah) added another prestigious honor to an award-filled senior season, earning first-team all-region recognition alongside his recent AFCA All-America selection. Tyler recorded a career-best 124 total tackles, the fourth-most in a single season in program history, while ranking second in the conference in solo tackles per game (6.64) and third in total tackles. He set a Wartburg single-game record with 20 tackles against Nebraska Wesleyan on Nov. 1 and produced seven double-digit tackle performances. Tyler was named the 2025 American Rivers Conference Defensive Most Valuable Player, becoming the fourth consecutive Knight to claim the honor, and earned his second straight D3football.com All-Region selection.

Grover (Dyersville, Iowa/Beckman Catholic) garnered first-team honors after a career-best season in the Wartburg secondary. He tallied 59 total tackles, two interceptions, and eight pass breakups, while helping lead a defense that recorded 15 interceptions, second-most in the A-R-C and 25th nationally. Grover returned two interceptions for 117 yards and was named a first-team All-A-R-C defensive back.

Rud (Mondovi, Wis./Mondovi) earned second-team recognition after leading the conference with nine rushing touchdowns and ranking fourth with 865 rushing yards. He averaged 78.6 yards per game on the ground, added 11 receptions, and scored three touchdowns against Central on Oct. 25. Rud is a two-time first-team All-A-R-C selection and earned his first all-region honor.

Walker (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock) collected second-team honors following a dominant season in the trenches. He led the A-R-C with eight sacks for a loss of 57 yards, added 13 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, and forced and recovered a fumble that resulted in a defensive touchdown against Coe. Walker was a first-team all-conference selection and D3football.com Team of the Week honoree.

Heither (Polk City, Iowa/Ankeny Centennial) was named to the third team after an outstanding freshman season. The A-R-C Rookie of the Year and first-team all-conference tight end, Heither averaged 20 yards per catch and led the team with six receiving touchdowns. He also made a major impact on special teams, blocking two punts, including one returned for a touchdown.

Swanstrom (Lemont, Ill./Lemont Township) rounded out Wartburg's all-region selections with third-team honors. He earned first-team All-A-R-C recognition as a return specialist and second-team honors at wide receiver. Swanstrom led the Knights with 41 receptions and paced the conference in punt return average (13.7), ranking ninth nationally. He also recorded a rare three-phase touchdown performance with rushing, receiving, and punt return scores against Loras on Oct. 18.
 
Wartburg's All-Region D3football.com Selections
2005    Second-team Jason Ingle, Alex Pollock (defense) 2006 Second-team Nick Weber (defense); Third-team Dan Hammes (offense), Lincoln Taylor (defense)
2007     Third-team Ben Hogan (defense
2008     Second-team Justin Vetter (offense)
2010    First-team Black Suckow (defense) & Josh VanDenHul (defense); Second-team Jon Orr (offense) & Robby Salmon (special teams); Third-team Garrett McGrane (defense)
2011    Third-team Matt Tschetter (defense)
2012     Third-team Ryan Billings (defense)
2013    Second-team Ryan Billings (defense) & Chris Brinkmeier (offense); Third-team Spencer Capitani (defense)
2014    First-team Chris Brinkmeier (offense) and Spencer Capitani (defense); Second-team Logan Schrader (offense); Third-team Brandon Domeyer (offense) and Will Janssen (defense). Brinkmeier named regional player of the year (offense), Willis was Regional Coach of the Year
2015    First-team Chase Wilhelms (offense); Second-team Logan Pitz (defense); Third-team Will Janssen (defense) and Grant Zimmerman (special teams)
2016    Second-team Jake Pisarik (defense) 2017 First-team Riley Brockway and Derek Schipper (offense); Second-team Matt Sacia (offense), Dillon Rademaker and Rob Rottler (defense)
2018    First-team Dillon Rademaker (defense); Second-team Matt Sacia (offense); JoJo McNair (defense)
2019    Second-team JoJo McNair (defense)
2021    First-team Antonio Santillan (defense), Second-team Ethan Lape (offense), Eli Barrett (defense), Third-team JoJo McNair (defense)
2022    First-team Tucker Kinney (offense), Riley Konrardy, Owen Grover (defense); Second-team Hunter Clasen, Thomas Butters (offense); Jordan Downing, Parker Rochford (defense); thirdteam Nile McLaughlin, Sam Reyes (offense); Third-team Antonio Santillan (defense). (10) Grover named regional player of the year (defense), Winter named Regional Coach of the Year
2023    First-team Hunter Clasen, Tucker Kinney (offense); Riley Konrardy, Owen Grover, Parker Rochford (defense); Second-team Nile McLaughlin, Thomas Butters, Alex Lahmon (offense), Jordan Downing, (defense); Third-team Nate Link (defense). (10) Grover named regional player of the year (defense)
2024    First-team Tucker Kinney (offense), Parker Rochford (defense): Second-team Keenan Tyler (defense); Third-team Ethan Stockwell (offense), Thane Alexander (defense)
2025    First-Team Cole Hotz (offense, Conner McDonald (Defense), Keenan Tyler (Defense), Conner Grover (Defense); Second-Team Dawson Rud (Offense), Jake Walker (Defense); Third-Team Sam Heither (Offense), Dylan Swanstrom (Offense)