CEDAR CTY, Utah - The Southern Utah football program continues to cement its place on the national stage under head coach DeLane Fitzgerald, as the Thunderbirds earned multiple All-America honors for the fourth consecutive season. Since Fitzgerald took the helm, SUU has produced at least one All-American every year, a reflection of the program's steady growth, competitive edge, and national relevance.
Head Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said
"I'm incredibly proud of our players for earning these honors, but I'm even more proud of what they represent for our team as a whole. These All-America awards show that the way the players and coaches in our program work, the way we compete, and the way we do things at Southern Utah is translating to success on a national level."
That run began in 2022, when punter Jake Gerardi earned All-America recognition after one of the most consistent seasons at his position in the country. In 2023, wide receiver Zach Mitchell burst onto the scene and was named a Freshman All-American following a standout debut campaign. The momentum carried into 2024, when running back Targhee Lambson collected every All-America honor for which he was eligible, establishing himself as one of the most complete offensive players in the FCS.
This season, the Thunderbirds elevated that standard even further.
Southern Utah placed two players on the All-America First Team lists, marking another milestone for the program and showcasing elite talent on both sides of the ball. Defensive standout Lando Brown and offensive weapon Joshua Dye each earned First Team honors from Stats Perform, FCS Football Central, the Associated Press, and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), placing them among the very best players in college football.
In addition to the First Team selections, graduate center Edward Riley was named an honorable mention to the Associated Press All-America team, further highlighting the depth of talent across the Thunderbirds' roster. A First Team All-Conference selection and team captain, Riley served as the heartbeat of Southern Utah's offensive line in his final season, anchoring pass protection and paving the way for one of the most efficient rushing attacks in the country.
Their recognition coincided with a memorable 2025 campaign for the Thunderbirds. SUU opened the season with a statement home win over Idaho State before enduring a stretch of narrow losses. After the bye week, the Thunderbirds caught fire, reeling off six straight wins to close the season at 7–5 and emerging as one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch. Southern Utah narrowly missed the FCS Playoffs and was widely viewed as one of the first teams left out, further underscoring the program's upward trajectory under Fitzgerald and his staff.
Brown anchored that late-season surge with one of the most dominant defensive performances in the nation. The redshirt senior edge rusher earned UAC Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading the FCS in sacks per game (1.27). He finished the season with 14 sacks and 18 tackles for loss, while adding 55 total tackles and 11 quarterback hurries. Brown's ability to consistently disrupt opposing offenses made him a focal point of every game plan and a catalyst for the Thunderbirds' defensive success. He also garnered national attention with a spot on the Walter Camp FCS Player of the Year Watchlist and a fifth-place finish in Buck Buchanan Award voting.
On the offensive side, Dye delivered one of the most prolific rushing seasons in Division I football. The running back was named the conference's Offensive Player of the Year after leading all FCS players with 1,831 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. Dye topped national charts in rushing yards per game, rushing touchdowns, points scored, and total rushing attempts, serving as the engine behind Southern Utah's offensive identity throughout the year.
Together, Brown, Dye, and Riley represent not only individual excellence but the broader success of a program that continues to raise expectations. With four straight seasons of All-America recognition and consistent year-to-year improvement, Southern Utah football has firmly established itself as a rising force on the national stage, one built on development, resilience, and championship ambition.
Coach Fitzgerald and the Thunderbirds now turn their focus toward the program's return to the Big Sky Conference in 2026. One of the premier leagues in the FCS, the Big Sky featured two of the four national semifinalists this season, and Southern Utah will look to make an immediate impact upon rejoining the conference.
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