COLUMBIA, Ky. – Davontaye Saunders was named to the 2025 Associated Press NAIA All-America First Team while Khaleb Bridges earned Second Team honors, the AP announced on Friday.
 
Saunders and Bridges earn AP All-American honors for the first time in their careers. The duo becomes the ninth and 10th players in program history to earn the honor.
 
Saunders, of Eminence, Kentucky, set the program record for rushing yards in a season with 1,579 yards. He also recorded the most rushing touchdowns in a season with 20. His 131.6 rushing yards per game broke the program record, and his 7.8 yards per carry are the second-most in a season. Saunders also set the record for yards in a game with 299 against Cumberland on November 8.
 
Nationally, he ranks second in the NAIA in rushing yards and in rushing yards per game. Saunders sits fifth in the country in rushing touchdowns. He ran for over 150 yards in six games and over 200 yards in two this season.
 
Bridges of Atlanta, Georgia, totaled 62 tackles this season, ranking second on the Blue Raiders. He led the team with five interceptions and 12 pass breakups. Bridges set the program record for interceptions in a game with four against Indiana Wesleyan in the Second Round of the NAIA Football Championship Series. His 12 pass breakups tied the program record for most in a season, while the five interceptions tied for the third-most in a season.