Herman, Williams, & Jackson Take PFL’s Final Weekly Individual Honors of 2025

11/23/2025 3:51:33 PM

By: Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations Director

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Drake freshman running back Nick Herman, Dayton sophomore cornerback Josh Williams, and Presbyterian freshman kicker Jett Jackson claimed the Pioneer Football League’s Week 13 individual honors, announced Sunday.

Herman ran for 253 yards and the game-winning touchdown to help Drake clinch its third PFL title outright. Williams intercepted passes on back-to-back Davidson possessions and returned one for a touchdown in a Dayton win. Jackson scored nine points on three made field goals in Presbyterian’s season-ending win.

Offensive

Nick Herman, Drake (Freshman, Running Back, Chicago, Illinois)
Herman pieced together the FCS’ eight-best rushing performance of 2025 in a 17-10 Drake win at Morehead State that secured sole possession of the 2025 PFL title and the league’s automatic bid. He finished the game with 253 yards on 27 carries for only the second 200-yard rushing performance in the PFL this season. Herman’s day included a 77-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that provided what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.

Others Nominated

  • Butler quarterback Gabe Passini finished with 246 total offensive yards, completing 10-of-17 passes for 140 yards and running for 106 yards on 19 carries while scoring a touchdown in both phases in a 27-20 victory at Valparaiso.
  • Dayton wide receiver Gavin Lochow had 11 receptions for 188 yards and finished with 212 all-purpose yards in a 42-14 victory at Davidson.
  • Presbyterian quarterback Collin Hurst completed 18-of-32 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns in a 29-25 victory against Marist.
  • San Diego running back Matt Colombo ran for four touchdowns in a 23-carry, 129-yard day to power a 42-8 victory at Stetson.
  • Valparaiso quarterback Rowan Keefe amassed 262 total offensive yards and three touchdowns, completed 18-of-28 passes for 184 yards and three TDs, and ran for 78 yards on 10 attempts in a loss to Butler.

Defensive

Josh Williams, Dayton (Sophomore (RS), Cornerback, Dayton, Ohio)
Williams intercepted passes on back-to-back possessions in the first quarter, returning one for a touchdown, to help set an early tone in Dayton’s 42-14 victory at Davidson. After Dayton fumbled deep in Davidson territory on its first possession, Williams intercepted a pass and returned it 32 yards for the game’s first touchdown. On the ensuing Davidson possession, Williams struck again, intercepting a 3rd-and-6 pass and returning it 15 yards to set up Dayton’s offense for its first touchdown for a 13-0 lead.

Others Nominated

  • Butler defensive back Will Mason had 11 tackles (eight solo) and a sack in a 27-20 victory at Valparaiso.
  • Presbyterian linebacker Michael Torres had 11 tackles (three solo), including 2.0 tackles for loss, and forced a fumble in a 29-25 victory against Marist.
  • San Diego linebacker Mo Vanderwiel recorded five tackles (two solo), a tackle for loss, and returned an interception for a touchdown in a 42-8 victory at Stetson.
  • Valparaiso defensive back Nic Lendino notched a career-high 13 tackles (eight solo) and had an interception in a loss to Butler.

Special Teams

Jett Jackson, Presbyterian (Freshman (RS), Kicker, Palm Harbor, Florida)
Jackson connected on three field goals in Presbyterian’s 29-25 victory against Marist to secure their 10th win of 2025. He scored a 39-yard field goal in the first quarter and followed that with a 41-yarder in the second quarter before capping his day with a 34-yard field goal. Jackson also handled kickoff duties for the Blue Hose with one touchback on seven kickoffs. .

Others Nominated

  • Dayton punt returner Paul Kelley averaged 12.3 yards on his three returns and had a 13-yard kickoff return in a 42-14 victory at Davidson.

About the Pioneer Football League

The Pioneer Football League is the only non-scholarship, football-only NCAA Football Championship Subdivision conference. The PFL is a truly national conference with members on each coast and throughout the nation’s heartland. Butler University, the University of Dayton, Drake University, and Valparaiso University were among the league’s founding members in 1993, with Davidson College, Marist College, Morehead State University, Presbyterian College, the University of San Diego, the University of St. Thomas, and Stetson University joining to form the current 11-team league.