STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Six members of the Wagner College football team earned All-NEC recognition from Phil Steele, the publication announced this week.
Freshman kicker Nicholas Romero headlined the honors, being named NEC Rookie of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year while also earning First Team All-NEC honors. Seniors Brady Anderson (offensive line) and Sam Martin (defensive back) were also named to the first team, while graduate student Andre Hines Jr. (running back) and senior Jordan Johnson (linebacker) earned second-team honors. Junior Mateo Lucero (offensive line) rounded out the selections on the third team.
Romero added to an already decorated season, having also been named a Freshman All-American by both Stats Perform and FCS Football Central. He led the NEC in field goals made and field goal percentage, converting 13-of-14 attempts (92.9%), which ranked second nationally in the FCS. Romero connected on five field goals of 40 yards or longer, including a career-long 44-yard kick in a road win at Saint Francis.
A four-year starter and two-year captain, Anderson anchored the Seahawks' offensive line, helping Wagner rank third in the NEC in rushing offense at 165.5 yards per game. He appeared in all 12 games during the season.
Martin led the NEC in solo tackles with 58 and ranked third in tackles per game (7.2). The Staten Island native played in all 12 contests for the Green & White, recording three forced fumbles and six pass breakups.
Hines Jr. finished fifth in the NEC in rushing yards with 809 yards and eight touchdowns. The Staten Island native eclipsed the 100-yard mark four times, highlighted by a career-high 139-yard performance in a 20–14 victory over Stonehill.
Johnson totaled 57 tackles on the season and recorded two defensive touchdowns, including a school-record 92-yard fumble return against CCSU and a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown versus Stonehill. Wagner finished tied for first in the FCS with five defensive touchdowns in 2025.
Lucero, alongside Anderson, played a key role in Wagner's rushing attack, helping the Seahawks finish third in the NEC in rushing offense at 165.5 yards per game.
