RIPON, Wis. -- Four members of the Ripon College football program have earned postseason recognition, as senior Ka'Jon Gray (Las Vegas, Nev., Valley HS), freshman Ryan Clayborn (Evans, Ga., Greenbrier HS), junior Desean Smith (Lake Park, Ga., Lowndes HS), and senior Gavin Engh (DeKalb, Ill., DeKalb HS) were named Second Team All-Midwest Conference selections, the league announced Friday morning.

The group represents key contributors on both sides of the ball for the Red Hawks, who finished the 2025 season with a 5-5 overall record and a 5-4 mark in Midwest Conference play.

Gray, a senior offensive lineman, earned the first All-MWC honor of his career after anchoring Ripon's front line throughout the season. He started all 10 games and provided the stability, physicality and leadership that shaped Ripon's offensive identity. Gray's consistent play was instrumental in both run protection and pass protection, helping the Red Hawks maintain balance offensively.

Clayborn delivered an immediate impact in his first season with the program, earning Second Team recognition as one of the conference's most productive wide receivers. The freshman led the Red Hawks with 33 receptions for 446 yards and six touchdowns in only eight games, averaging 13.5 yards per catch and a team-best 55.8 receiving yards per game. His big-play ability—highlighted by a 71-yard touchdown—made him Ripon's most dangerous offensive threat through the air.

Smith was a force on Ripon's defensive line, earning his first career All-MWC honor after a breakout junior season. He recorded 32 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss and a team-leading six sacks, while also adding a forced fumble, fumble recovery, pass breakup and blocked kick. His disruptive presence at the line of scrimmage helped define Ripon's defensive front.

Engh joined Smith as a Second Team honoree, capping an impressive senior campaign. Appearing in all 10 games, he totaled 31 tackles, matching Smith with 13.5 tackles for loss and adding 5.5 sacks. His 22 solo tackles were the most among Ripon's defensive linemen. Engh's ability to consistently penetrate the backfield, along with Smith, made them one of the league's most intimidating duos.

The full All-Midwest Conference list is below.

Offensive Line MVP
James Conner, Monmouth

Offensive Skill MVP
Brayden Deem, Monmouth

Defensive Line MVP
Anthony Cikauskas, Monmouth

Defensive Skill MVP
Ethan James, Monmouth

Newcomer of the Year
James Jordan, Lake Forest

Coach of the Year
Chad Braun, Monmouth

First Team
Offensive Linemen
Vinny Colasacco, Lake Forest
James Conner, Monmouth
Chaz Carson, Chicago
Michael Schneider, Chicago
Jake Herstowski, Lake Forest
Aiden Weaver, Monmouth
Kyle Russell, Illinois College

Running Backs
Nate Wrublik, Monmouth
Jake Lowry, Chicago

Wide Receivers
Kyle Leonard, Illinois College
Chase Newman, Monmouth
Luke Degner, Chicago
Jeremiah Williams, Monmouth

Tight End
James Jordan, Lake Forest

Quarterbacks
Brayden Deem, Monmouth
Ethan Springer, Lake Forest

Defensive Linemen
Anthony Cikauskas, Monmouth
Michael Kelley, Lake Forest
Blaze Helton, Illinois College
Julius Jenkins, Cornell
Zach Meyer, Chicago

Linebackers
Charlie Fordon, Lake Forest
Ethan James, Monmouth
Blake Ware, Lake Forest
Drake Stuart, Illinois College
Cam Dailey, Illinois College

Defensive Backs
Derek Chandler, Monmouth
Malik Byndom, Illinois College
Damien Brown, Monmouth
Stirling Sakashita, Chicago
Kevin Soivilien, Lake Forest

Kicker
Walter Kilgore, UChicago

Punter
Jakob Gump, Lake Forest

Return Specialist
Timo Kato, Illinois College

Special Teams
Zechariah Wease, Illinois College

Second Team
Offensive Linemen
Tyrek Tripp, Monmouth
Blake Buckles, Illinois College
Kennedy Washington, Lake Forest
Mikey Benzija, Monmouth
Ricky Eastern, Grinnell
Acen Akers, Monmouth
Ka'Jon Gray, Ripon

Running Backs
Lleyton Miller, Illinois College
Vance Cooper, Lake Forest

Wide Receivers
Ryan Clayborn, Ripon
Tommy Carberry, Lake Forest
Gavin Soukup, Cornell
Mason Emin, Monmouth

Tight End
Mackey Keenan, Chicago

Quarterbacks
Tyson Elliott, Illinois College
Jack Ruff, Chicago

Defensive Linemen
Preston Mosher, Lake Forest
Desean Smith, Ripon
Jeremiah Hardnett, Monmouth
Breck Bishop, Grinnell
Gavin Engh, Ripon

Linebackers
Carson Strating, Monmouth
Luke Konczal, Grinnell
Jackson Sander, Lake Forest
Gavin Carpenter, Monmouth
Cole Ostendorf, Chicago

Defensive Backs
Brandon Henderson, Monmouth
Dematris Azcueta, Lake Forest
Joshua Martin, Cornell
Armani Carrillo, Monmouth
Kaden Kern, Lake Forest

Kicker
Hudson Schambach, Lake Forest

Punter
Zack Banovz, Illinois College

Return Specialist
Morrison Giggetts, Chicago

Special Teams
Kaden Fogelson, Monmouth

Ripon wrapped up the 2025 season with a 5-5 overall record, including a winning 5-4 finish in Midwest Conference play.