KILLINGWORTH, Conn.- Six Dean College Football standouts earned Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) all-conference honors, announced by the league on Thursday. 

Dean first-year Elijah Walker (Upper Marlboro, Md.) led the way, earning co-rookie of the year honors, as well as first team all-conference linebacker. Walker starred on the Bulldogs defense, finishing sixth in the conference in solo tackles (32) and seventh in total tackles (49). He also added two sacks, 10.5 TFL, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three pass breakups and one block.

Fellow linebacker, Joe Penton (Manassas Park, Va.) also earned first-team all conference honors. The senior captain earned his second ECFC all-conference nod, after recording a second-team selection a year ago. In 2024, Penton recorded 59 tackles, with 3.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery that he returned 56 yards to set up a score. 

Dean had four players named to the second-team. Junior Christian Donalson (Albany Ga.) and senior Kai Reeves (Boston, Mass.) both earned honors on the defensive line, while sophomore Isaac Dorlean (Miramar, Fla.) and first-year Brayden Prasse (San Antonio, Tex.) earned second-team recognition for defensive back and running back, respectively. 

Donalson led Dean with 12.5 TFL, while registering 41 total tackles. His highlight reel performance came against Gallaudet on Homecoming, when he picked up a flubbed punt and raced 27 yards to the end zone for the Bulldogs first score of the game. Reeves finished fourth on the team with 36 total tackles, adding 5.5 TFL and a fumble recovery. Dorlean posted three interceptions, a team-high, while adding two pass breakups and 33 total tackles. Prasse led the Bulldogs with 370 yards on the ground.