LAKELAND, Fla. -- SEU defensive lineman
Thomas Ibrahim has been named to the 2025 AFCA NAIA Coaches' First Team All-America, one of the most respected postseason honors in college football. The American Football Coaches Association, which has selected All-America teams since 1945, remains the only organization whose teams are chosen exclusively by coaches. That distinction makes Ibrahim's selection especially significant and affirms his standing as one of the premier defensive players in the nation.
Ibrahim delivered a dominant 2025 season, finishing as the NAIA leader in both sacks and tackles for loss while spearheading one of the country's top defensive units. In 12 games, he totaled 11 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and 68 tackles, including 31 solo stops. His ability to disrupt backfields and consistently create negative plays made him one of the NAIA's most feared defenders and the anchor of a Fire defense that propelled one of the strongest seasons in program history. He also closes his SEU career as one of the most productive defensive linemen ever to wear a Fire uniform, finishing with 157 career tackles (sixth in program history), 33.5 tackles for loss (second), and 15.5 sacks (tied for third).
Southeastern also celebrated another national honoree, as linebacker
Brady Nowlan earned NAIA Coaches' Third Team All-America recognition. Nowlan led the Fire in total tackles this fall, starting all 12 games and recording 78 tackles, including 28 solo and 50 assisted stops. He added 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, three quarterback hurries, and one pass breakup while serving as the steady backbone of SEU's second-level defense. His consistency, range, and ability to finish plays made him one of the most reliable defenders in the Sun Conference and a key force behind SEU's nationally ranked defensive performance.
The AFCA identified Ibrahim as one of the headliners of its 2025 All-America announcement, alongside William Penn running back Destynd Loring, who led the NAIA in rushing. Their selections highlight the top defensive and offensive performers in the country and further underscore Ibrahim's place among the NAIA's elite.
With Ibrahim and Nowlan both earning national postseason honors, Southeastern continues to strengthen its tradition of recognition on the All-America stage. Over the past decade, the Fire have produced more than a dozen All-Americans across multiple national organizations, reflecting the program's sustained growth and rising influence within the NAIA landscape.
