STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Four members of the Wagner Football program earned All-NEC honors, the conference announced Wednesday afternoon.
Senior offensive lineman
Brady Anderson and freshman kicker
Nicholas Romero were selected to the All-NEC First Team, while redshirt-senior defensive back
Sam Martin and senior linebacker
Jordan Johnson earned Second Team accolades.
Anderson, a four-year starter and two-year captain, anchored the Seahawks' offensive line that powered a rushing attack ranked No. 3 in the NEC with 165.5 yards per game. He appeared in all 12 contests this season, furthering his legacy as one of Wagner's most reliable contributors up front.
Romero, the only freshman named to any All-NEC team this season, led the conference in both field goal makes and percentage, converting 13-of-14 attempts (92.9%)—the second-best mark in the FCS. He drilled five field goals of 40-plus yards, including a season-long 44-yarder in the win at Saint Francis. The Pembroke Pines, Fla. native earned NEC Rookie of the Week honors twice and Special Teams Player of the Week once. Romero is Wagner's first First Team kicker since James Cooper in 2017 and the first freshman kicker in NEC history to earn First Team recognition.
Martin finished the season as the NEC leader in solo tackles (58) and ranked third in tackles per game (7.2). The Staten Island native appeared in all 12 games for the Green & White, adding three forced fumbles and six pass breakups to his standout defensive campaign.
Johnson totaled 57 tackles, ranking 20th in the NEC, and made a significant impact with two defensive touchdowns—a 92-yard fumble return against CCSU, the longest in program history, and a 30-yard interception return versus Stonehill. The Seahawks finished the season tied for first in the FCS with five defensive touchdowns.
The NEC's major awards were also announced: CCSU running back Elijah Howard was named Offensive Player of the Year, CCSU linebacker Jack Stoll earned Defensive Player of the Year, Duquesne wide receiver Ryan Petras was selected Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Duquesne defensive back Caleb Jones claimed Defensive Rookie of the Year. CCSU head coach Adam Lechtenberg was named the NEC Coach of the Year.
