BROOKFIELD, Ill. - The Don Hansen Football Committee released the 2025 Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-America team on Friday. Upper Iowa's Eddie Burgess and Mante Morrow both received honorable mention honors.
The Don Hansen team carries out the legacy of long-time small college football advocate Don Hansen, who passed away at age 75 on Aug. 29, 2010. Hansen, from Brookfield, Ill., started and published Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette for three decades, selecting NCAA Division II All-America teams for the first time in 1988.
Burgess totaled 641 receiving yards with five touchdowns this season while starting all 12 games for the Peacocks. He's totaled 1,681 yards and 19 touchdowns in his career, while his 641 yards this season were the most for him in a single season. The Montezuma native ranks 15th all-time in program history in career receiving yards and is tied for eighth in receiving touchdowns.
Morrow totaled 1,007 receiving yards with 12 touchdowns, totaling a career-high in both categories. The senior receiver ranked sixth in the country in receiving touchdowns and ninth in receiving yards per game. Morrow recorded the third 1,000-yard receiving season in program history this year.
This is the second honorable mention nod for Burgess, as he was the last Peacock to be recognized in 2023. Before that, Erik Hansen was the latest Peacock football player to earn Don Hansen honors, earning a third-team spot in 2019.
The GLVC totaled eight players in the Don Hansen All-American release. UIndy quarterback Gavin Sukup was named to the first team. UIndy's Ryne Buttz and Anthony Crowell, Quincy's Jaylin Vaughn and Southwest Baptist's Kamau Ransom and Caleb Saner each earned honorable mention.
Virginia Union running back Curtis Allen was named the Offensive Player of the Year, and Livingstone (N.C.) defensive lineman Kenyon Garner was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Manaki Watanabe of Ashland earned Special Teams Player of the Year, while Harding coach Paul Simmons took Coach of the Year.
#17 Eddie Burgess (TE, 6-4, 240, Sr., Montezuma, Iowa / Montezuma HS)
- Don Hansen All-America Honorable Mention
- AFCA Second Team All-American
- All-GLVC First Team
- Started all 12 games for Upper Iowa
- Recorded 641 receiving yards and five touchdowns
- Ranks 15th all-time in program history in career receiving yards (1,681)
- Tied for eighth in program history in career receiving touchdowns (19)
- Aided the Peacocks to their first nine-win season and bowl win in program history
#7 Mante Morrow (WR, 6-4, 210, Sr., Joliet, Ill. / Joliet West HS)
- Don Hansen All-America Honorable Mention
- 2025 D2CCA Super Region Three First Team
- 2025 Harlon Hill Nominee
- 2025 All-GLVC First Team
- 2025 D2Football Week Two Player of the Week
- 2025 Week Two GLVC Player of the Week
- Totaled a career-high 1,007 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns
- Led the GLVC in receiving touchdowns while ranking sixth in the nation
- Averaged 91.5 receiving yards per game, ranking ninth nationally
- Had a career-high 216 yards with four touchdowns against South Dakota Mines
- Added 126 yards and three touchdowns vs. McKendree (Ill.)
- Finished the regular season with the third-most receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in school history
Upper Iowa Don Hansen All-America Selections (Since 2005)
2025: Eddie Burgess - Honorable Mention
2025: Mante Morrow - Honorable Mention
2023: Eddie Burgess - Honorable Mention
2019: Erik Hansen - Third Team
2014: Lucas Hefty - Third Team
2014: Chris Smith - Honorable Mention
2013: Chris Smith - Second Team
