Nine Ravens Receive All-HCAC Recognition

Nine Anderson University football players received all-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) recognition, which was announced on Wednesday.

Jaylen Hayes garnered first-team all-HCAC honors. Jackson Elder, Zaire Prioleau and Jake Simpson each earned second-team all-HCAC recognition while Travis Billups Jr., DeMarco Cooley, Deitric Johnson, Albert Rabb and Gavin Reners each received all-HCAC Honorable Mention.

COACH JONATHAN CODDINGTON'S COMMENTS

I am proud of these nine players who were recognized by the other coaches in our conference and voted on to win these all-conference awards. Their hard work and dedication deserve recognition, and I am thankful to get to coach them. I am also proud of the rest of our team, who may not have received this award and recognition, but who all play a part in what we do. It takes all 11 - on offense, defense, and special teams - to be able to have success. Many of the plays these guys made, week in and week out, were because of their teammates doing their job, and everyone trusting one another. I am excited for these guys to be recognized, and excited for our team to continue to develop.

Jaylen Hayes (Freshman Defensive Lineman; 6-0; 230; Louisville, Ky./duPont Manual)

• Career All-HCAC – First Team (2025)
• Conference-Only Totals – 6 Games Played, 6 Games Started, 37 Tackles, 6.5 Tackles for Loss, 2 Sacks, 11 Quarterback Hurries, 29 Tackle-For-Loss Yards, 14 Sack Yards
• Conference-Only Averages – 6.17 Tackles (9th in HCAC), 0.33 Sacks (T-14 in HCAC), 1.08 Tackles for Loss, 1.83 Quarterback Hurries
• Overall Totals – 10 Games Played, 10 Games Started, 72 Tackles, 13.5 Tackles for Loss (T-8 in School History), 4 Sacks, 14 Quarterback Hurries, 1 Forced Fumble, 53 Tackle-for-Loss Yards, 22 Sack Yards
• Overall Averages – 1.35 Tackles for Loss (1st in HCAC), 7.2 Tackles (8th in HCAC), 0.4 Sacks (8th in HCAC), 1.4 Quarterback Hurries
• Coach Jonathan Coddington's Comments – Jaylen is the definition of playing with great effort and energy. He was seen flying all over the field each and every Saturday. He very rarely came off the field, which is impressive for any defensive linemen - let alone a freshman player. His impact on our defense was immediate. From rushing the quarterback, to stopping the run, to chasing down screens and plays to the opposite side of the field, he made difficult plays look easy. Teams had to send two players to block him on a consistent basis if they wanted to slow him down, which is a high compliment for a defensive lineman.

Jackson Elder (Senior Offensive Lineman; 6-3; 300; Port St. Lucie, Fla./Centennial)

• Career All-HCAC – Second Team (2025), Honorable Mention (2022, 2023)
• Conference-Only Stats – Started all 6 games on offensive line
• Overall Stats – Started all 10 games on offensive line
• Coach Jonathan Coddington's Comments – Jackson has been the anchor of our offensive line for four years. Coming off a tough knee injury his junior year, he put in a ton of work in the offseason to rehab and get back on the field. He played nearly every snap for us this season and left it all on the field. Jackson plays with a ton of passion and energy, and we loved watching him put defenders in the dirt, week after week. He did a good job at both the guard and tackle spots this year, and his versatility was big for our offensive line. He also did a good job helping our younger offensive linemen this year, both in their knowledge of our offense and in developing their skills and techniques.

Zaire Prioleau (Senior Defensive Back; 6-2; 170; Atlanta, Ga./Cedar Grove/Concordia University-Ann Arbor)

• Career All-HCAC – Second Team (2025), Honorable Mention (2024)
• D3football.com Team-of-the-Week Selection (11/18/2025)
• HCAC Defensive Player-of-the-Week Selection (11/17/2025)
• 3 Interceptions at Manchester (11/15/2025) (12th 3+ Interception Game in School History)
• Conference-Only Totals – 6 Games Played, 6 Games Started, 4 Interceptions, 4 Pass Breakups, 8 Passes Defended, 26 Tackles, 2 Quarterback Hurries, 0.5 Tackles for Loss
• Conference-Only Averages – 0.67 Interceptions (T-1 in HCAC), 1.33 Passes Defended (T-3 in HCAC), 4.33 Tackles (T-27 in HCAC), 0.67 Pass Breakups
• Overall Totals – 9 Games Played, 9 Games Started, 5 Interceptions, 10 Passes Defended, 5 Pass Breakups, 38 Tackles, 2 Quarterback Hurries, 0.5 Tackles for Loff
• Overall Averages – 0.56 Interceptions (12th in nation, 1st in HCAC), 1.11 Passes Defended (4th in HCAC), 0.56 Pass Breakups, 4.22 Tackles (36th in HCAC)
• Coach Jonathan Coddington's Comments – Zaire left his mark on this program in the two years he was with us. As the lone returning player in the secondary from last year, he did what was asked of him and moved from corner to safety to help with the communication of our defense in our coverages. He was able to make a lot of plays on the ball, especially at the end of the season, and also helped his teammates, both on and off the field. It was great to see his hard work pay off in such a big way in the last game of the year, being recognized nationally for his 3-interception performance.

Jake Simpson (Senior Linebacker; 6-0; 225; Hobart, Ind./Hobart/Trine University)

• Career All-HCAC – Second Team (2023, 2024, 2025)
• Indiana Football Digest Preseason All-Home Grown First Team (2025)
• Conference-Only Totals – 6 Games Played, 6 Games Started, 47 Tackles, 2 Tackles for Loss, 2 Quarterback Hurries
• Conference-Only Averages – 7.83 Tackles (2nd in HCAC), 0.33 Tackles for Loss
• Overall Totals – 10 Games Played, 10 Games Started, 88 Tackles, 3.5 Tackles for Loss, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Blocked Kick, 1 Sack, 2 Quarterback Hurries, 11 Tackle-for-Loss Yards
• Overall Averages – 8.8 Tackles (2nd in HCAC), 0.35 Tackles for Loss
• Coach Jonathan Coddington's Comments – Jake has been a great anchor of our defense the past three seasons. He has led our team in tackles each year and has been at the top of the conference in that category each season as well. He is one of the hardest workers around and is a great teammate. His preparation both in the off-season and week to week is second to none. He has inspired his younger teammates and has continued to pour into them both on and off the field.

Travis Billups Jr. (Freshman Defensive Back; 5-10; 175; Alton, Ill./Alton)

• Career All-HCAC – Honorable Mention (2025)
• Conference-Only Totals – 6 Games Played, 6 Games Started, 2 Interceptions, 6 Passes Defended, 4 Pass Breakups, 52 Interception Return Yards, 23 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss
• Conference-Only Averages – 0.33 Interceptions (T-5 in HCAC), 1 Pass Defended (T-5 in HCAC), 0.67 Pass Breakups, 3.83 Tackles (T-35 in HCAC)
• Overall Totals – 10 Games Played, 10 Games Started, 3 Interceptions, 8 Passes Defended, 5 Pass Breakups, 52 Interception Return Yards, 45 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble, 2.5 Tackles for Loss
• Overall Averages – 0.3 Interceptions (T-5 in HCAC), 0.8 Passes Defended (T-7 in HCAC), 0.5 Pass Breakups, 4.5 Tackles (32nd in HCAC), 0.25 Tackles for Loss
• Coach Jonathan Coddington's Comments – Travis started 10 games as a freshman, which is very hard to do, especially at the cornerback position. It is a position where you are often "on an island." He came up with a lot of big plays this year in the form of interceptions, pass breakups, and some big tackles. He also contributed on many of our special teams units. His ability to continue to come back the next play - after both good and bad plays - shows his mental toughness. I am excited to see him grow and develop each year in our program.

DeMarco Cooley (Senior Defensive Lineman; 6-1; 245; Pendleton, Ind./Pendleton Heights/Trine University)

• Career All-HCAC – Honorable Mention (2025)
• Conference-Only Totals – 6 Games Played, 6 Games Started, 11 Tackles, 4 Quarterback Hurries, 1 Tackle for Loss
• Conference-Only Averages – 1.83 Tackles, 0.67 Quarterback Hurries
• Overall Totals – 10 Games Played, 10 Games Started, 19 Tackles, 2.5 Tackles for Loss, 1.5 Sacks, 5 Quarterback Hurries, 14 Tackle-for-Loss Yards, 12 Sack Yards
• Overall Averages – 1.9 Tackles, 0.25 Tackles for Loss, 0.15 Sacks, 0.5 Quarterback Hurries
• Coach Jonathan Coddington's Comments – DeMarco always played with great passion and intensity. His impact was sometimes felt on the stat sheet, but a lot of it was in doing his job, and the dirty work that was asked of defensive tackles. Many younger players, especially at his position, looked up to him, and he set a great example for how to work hard in the weight room and on the field.

Detric Johnson (Senior Tight End; 6-4; 215; Kokomo, Ind./The Excel Center)

• Career All-HCAC – Honorable Mention (2023, 2025)
• Conference-Only Totals – 6 Games Played, 6 Games Started, 15 Receptions, 150 Reception Yards
• Conference-Only Averages – 2.5 Receptions, 25 Receiving Yards
• Overall Totals – 9 Games Played, 9 Games Started, 23 Receptions, 210 Receiving Yards
• Overall Averages – 2.56 Receptions, 23.3 Receiving Yards
• Coach Jonathan Coddington's Comments – Deitric is one of the toughest football players that I have met. He has battled through a lot of adversity in his career here and played through a lot of injuries. He has been a focal point of our offense for the past three years at the tight end position. He was able to handle a lot - both physically and mentally - and made a ton of plays in big moments. One of my favorite plays that he made this year was on a fourth down and long play against Mount St. Joseph University, where he went over top of their safety and made a very difficult contested catch on a seam route. That led to our first touchdown of the game and springboarded us to one of our better offensive performances of the season.

Albert Rabb (Sophomore Running Back; 5-7; 175; El Paso, Texas/El Dorado)

• Career All-HCAC – Honorable Mention (2025)
• Conference-Only Totals – 5 Games Played, 5 Games Started, 245 Rushing Yards, 2 Rushing Touchdowns, 72 Carries, 3.4 Yards Per Carry, 7 Receptions, 18 Receiving Yards, 263 All-Purpose Yards
• Conference-Only Averages – 49 Rushing Yards (4th in HCAC), 0.4 Rushing Touchdowns, 14.4 Carries, 1.2 Receptions, 3.3 Receiving Yards, 52.3 All-Purpose Yards
• Overall Totals – 8 Games Played, 8 Games Started, 427 Rushing Yards, 5 Rushing Touchdowns, 131 Carries, 3.3 Yards Per Carry, 12 Receptions, 41 Receiving Yards, 468 All-Purpose Yards
• Overall Averages – 53.4 Rushing Yards (4th in HCAC), 0.63 Rushing Touchdowns, 16.4 Carries, 1.5 Receptions, 5.1 Receiving Yards, 58.5 All-Purpose Yards
• Coach Jonathan Coddington's Comments – Albert was called upon a lot this season and carried the ball well for us this season. He is a very good all-around back. He had 20+ carries this season multiple times, which takes a lot of effort and toughness. He also does a great job in the pass game, with his route running and catching, but also in pass protection. Some of the explosive plays that we had off of play-action passes would not have happened, if it weren't for him picking up a late blitzer, keeping our quarterback clean. He did a great job breaking tackles, and I loved watching him putting opponents in the dirt with a stiff arm or a truck.

Gavin Reners (Senior Linebacker; 6-1; 217; Sheridan, Ind./Sheridan)

• Career All-HCAC – Second Team (2023, 2024), Honorable Mention (2025)
• Conference-Only Totals – 6 Games Played, 6 Games Started, 31 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 6 Tackles for Loss, 4 Quarterback Hurries, 1 Pass Breakup, 11 Sack Yards, 21 Tackle-for-Loss Yards
• Conference-Only Averages – 0.5 Sacks (T-9 in HCAC), 5.17 Tackles (T-15 in HCAC), 1 Tackle for Loss, 0.67 Quarterback Hurries
• Overall Totals – 10 Games Played, 10 Games Started, 47 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 6 Tackles for Loss, 5 Quarterback Hurries, 1 Pass Breakup, 21 Tackle-for-Loss Yards, 11 Sack Yards
• Overall Averages – 0.3 Sacks (T-15 in HCAC), 4.7 Tackles (T-25 in HCAC), 0.6 Tackles for Loss, 0.5 Quarterback Hurries
• Coach Jonathan Coddington's Comments – Gavin has been a staple of the Raven Defense for the past four years and he has embodied everything that we have preached as a program from day one. He worked incredibly hard this offseason to become faster, and it really paid off in his play. He made tons of plays in every way - stopping the run, rushing the quarterback, and in pass coverage. He constantly played with great energy and effort.