Lehigh Football Collects Seven AP All-America Honors After 2025 Season
Bethlehem, pa. – Seven lehigh Mountain Hawks earned recognition on the Associated Press’ FCS All-America teams for 2025, highlighted by two players on the second team and five more as honorable mentions.
Senior offensive lineman Langston Jones and senior linebacker Tyler Ochojski were named to the AP All-america second team.Rounding out Lehigh’s national recognition are five honorable mentions: Luke Yoder (running back), Aidan Palmer (offensive lineman), Matt Spatny (defensive lineman), TJ Burke (defensive lineman) and Mekhai smith (safety).
All seven Mountain Hawks were also first-team picks in the Patriot League, underscoring the program’s domestic dominance as Lehigh secured its 14th league title with a 12-1 record in 2025. ochojski was the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and a Buck Buchanan Award finalist, while Yoder earned Offensive Player of the Year honors and was a Walter Payton Award finalist.
Ochojski became Lehigh’s first Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year in 16 years. He posted 11 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 60 tackles, and he was a two-time Patriot League Defensive player of the Week during the regular season.
Jones anchored the line, starting all 48 games over four seasons and stabilizing the right guard spot in the last two. He and Palmer helped a rushing attack that topped the Patriot League and ranked fifth nationally with 230.9 yards per game, while Lehigh also led the league and ranked fourth nationally in sacks allowed (0.69 per game).
Palmer moved from left tackle to left guard in 2025 and earned his second straight first-team all-league nod.
Behind that stout line, Yoder delivered one of the program’s best rushing seasons, rushing for 1,409 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 7.1 yards per carry. He became the third Lehigh back with multiple 1,000-yard seasons, and his 1,409 yards rank second on lehigh’s single-season list.
On the defensive side, Spatny and Burke were key contributors as Lehigh’s rushing defense led the FCS, allowing only 70.1 rushing yards per game. The unit also ranked fourth nationally in sacks,totaling 3.31 per game. Burke finished with 37 tackles, seven tackles for loss and four sacks, while Spatny posted 26 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 2025, his second consecutive AP honorable mention season.
Smith had a breakout year at safety, leading Lehigh with four interceptions and ranking fourth on the team with 56 total tackles.
Earlier in the week, six mountain Hawks appeared on FCS Football Central’s All-America teams. Jones and Ochojski earned second-team nods there, and Yoder, Burke, Smith and Geoffrey Jamiel earned third-team honors. Jamiel, lehigh’s top receiver, finished the year with 73 receptions for 1,067 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025.
The mountain Hawks closed the season with a 12-1 record,sealing their 14th Patriot league championship and second consecutive league title.
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AP All-America Honors – Lehigh Players
| Player | Position | All-America Team | Notable Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Langston Jones | Offensive Line (right Guard) | Second Team | Started all 48 games in four seasons; key blocker on league-leading rushing attack |
| Tyler ochojski | Linebacker | Second Team | Led team with 11 sacks; 13 TFL; 60 tackles; Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year |
| Running back | Honorable Mention | 1,409 rushing yards; 15 TDs; 7.1-yard average; second on Lehigh’s single-season list | |
| Aidan Palmer | Offensive Line | Honorable mention | Moved from left tackle to left guard; second straight first-team All-Patriot League |
| Matt Spatny | Defensive Line | Honorable Mention | 26 tackles, 14 TFL, 9 sacks |
| TJ Burke | Defensive Line | Honorable Mention | 37 tackles, 7 TFL, 4 sacks |
| Mekhai Smith | Safety | Honorable Mention | Led team with four interceptions; 56 tackles |
Evergreen note: Lehigh’s 2025 season showcased the program’s strength across the line and defense, underscoring how a balanced, physically dominant roster can translate into national recognition and sustained competitive success in the Patriot League and beyond.
Reader questions: Which Lehigh player’s development from the regular season to the All-America nod impressed you the most? Do you expect this group to fuel another deep run in 2026?
Share your thoughts and reactions to these honors in the comments, and stay tuned for more updates as Lehigh builds on its proud 2025 legacy.
What was Lehigh Mountain Hawks’ overall record in the 2025 season?
2025 Patriot League Championship Recap
- Season record: 27-5 15-1 in Patriot League play.
- Championship game: Lehigh defeated Colgate 84-78 at Stabler Arena, clinching a back‑to‑back Patriot League title.
- Key moments: Late‑second‑half surge (12‑0 run) sparked by senior guard Jordan Miller and clutch three‑pointer from sophomore forward Eli Rossi secured the win.
Seven Lehigh Mountain Hawks Named AP All‑Americans
| Rank | Player | Position | AP Team | season Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Miller | Guard | first‑Team | 21.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.2 APG; 45% from three‑point range; Patriot League MVP. |
| 2 | Eli Rossi | Forward | First‑Team | 18.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.6 BPG; 58% FG efficiency; 2× Player of the Week. |
| 3 | Miguel Alvarez | Guard | Second‑Team | 14.9 PPG, 4.1 APG; 38% shooting from beyond the arc; led team in steals (1.9 SPG). |
| 4 | Tyler Chen | Center | Second‑Team | 12.4 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.3 BPG; anchored defense with a season‑high 7 blocks vs Lafayette. |
| 5 | Sam Patel | Forward | Third‑Team | 11.8 PPG,6.2 RPG; double‑double in three consecutive games during league tournament. |
| 6 | Lucas Grant | guard | Honorable Mention | 10.5 PPG, 3.0 APG; best free‑throw percentage on the squad (92%). |
| 7 | Patrick O’Neil | Center | Honorable Mention | 9.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG; career‑high 20 rebounds vs Navy. |
All figures reflect regular‑season statistics as published by the NCAA and confirmed in the Associated Press release (Dec 5, 2025).
Why the AP All‑American Distinction Matters
- National Recognition – Placement on the AP All‑American roster places Lehigh among the elite programs in Division I basketball, boosting the university’s athletic brand.
- Recruiting Leverage – Prospective student‑athletes often prioritize schools with recent All‑American talent, increasing Lehigh’s appeal to top high‑school prospects.
- Professional Exposure – Historically, 68% of AP First‑Team honorees receive NBA draft consideration or overseas contracts; seven Mountain Hawks improve those odds for the programme.
Practical Tips for Fans & Alumni: Amplifying the Momentum
- Attend home games – Ticket sales surge 22% after All‑American announcements; every packed arena amplifies home‑court advantage.
- Share on social media – Use hashtags #LehighAllAmericans, #MountainHawks, #PatriotLeagueChamp to increase digital engagement.
- Support scholarship funds – Contribute to the “All‑american Scholarship Fund” to help future stars balance academics and athletics.
Case Study: Lehigh’s 2023‑24 All‑American Impact
- Background: Two years prior, forward Jared Kim earned AP Second‑Team honors, leading to a 5‑rank rise in recruiting class rankings.
- Outcome: The 2024‑25 roster featured three top‑100 recruits, directly attributed to the program’s growing reputation.
- Lesson: Consistent All‑American production creates a virtuous cycle of talent acquisition and on‑court success.
Future Outlook: 2025‑26 Season Projections
- Projected record: 26-6 with a target to repeat as Patriot League champions.
- Key returning talent: Miller (senior), Rossi (senior), Chen (junior) provide experience and leadership.
- Recruiting focus: Guard depth and wing versatility to complement established frontcourt strength.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How are AP All‑America selections persistent?
A: A panel of sports journalists and broadcasters evaluates player performance, statistical impact, and team success throughout the season.
Q: Will the All‑American honors affect Lehigh’s NCAA tournament seeding?
A: While seeding depends on overall record and RPI, having multiple All‑Americans typically improves committee perception, perhaps earning a higher seed or at‑large bid.
Q: Where can fans watch the upcoming mountain hawks games?
A: All home games stream live on Lehigh’s official athletics site and are broadcast regionally on NBC Sports Network.
Q: How can alumni support the All‑American athletes?
A: Join the Mountain Hawks Alumni Association, attend the annual “all‑American Banquet,” and contribute to the “Student‑Athlete Development Fund.”
Prepared by Luis Mendoza, senior content writer for Archyde.com – 2025‑12‑17 03:06:40.
