HAMMOND, La. – Five Southeastern Louisiana University football student-athletes were awarded for athletic and academic success as members of the 2025 Southland Conference All-Academic Team, which was released by the league office Friday.
 
Representing SLU were wide receiver/kick returner Brandon Hayes, offensive lineman Holden Kareokowsky, tight end Cade Collier, linebacker Justin Dumas and defensive lineman Ahmad Bradley. Hayes, Kareokowsky and Collier were both repeat selections from 2024, while Dumas had previously been honored as an SLC All-Academic selection in 2023.
 
Hayes, who completed his master's degree in business administration this fall with a 3.60 cumulative grade point average, was one of the nation's most dynamic kick returners in 2025. His 30.7 kickoff return average was good for third in FCS, as he earned All-America honors from Stats Perform and FCS Football Central, while also claiming first team All-Southland Conference honors at kick returner for the second straight season.
 
The Hattiesburg, Mississippi native was one of five FCS players to return two kickoffs for touchdowns this fall, housing the opening kickoffs of the second half versus Northwestern State and HCU. Hayes also hauled in touchdown catches versus McNeese and Mississippi Valley State.
 
Kareokowsky graduated this fall with a 3.73 GPA in engineering technology. The second team All-SLC center from New Orleans was the anchor of the Southeastern offensive line and also a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.
 
Collier completed his master's degree in business administration this semester, finishing with a 3.50 grade point average. A second team All-SLC choice at both tight end and long snapper, the Mobile, Ala. native hauled in 16 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Dumas is working towards his master's degree in athletic training and carries a 3.938 GPA. The LaPlace, La. native saw action in 12 games in 2025, recording nine tackles as a reserve linebacker and key special teams contributor.
 
Bradley is a graduate student in the strategic communication program with a 3.375 grade point average. The big man from Harvey, La. was a key cog in the middle for one of FCS' top defenses, finishing with 43 tackles, six tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last fall.
 
Southeastern will open spring practice Feb. 24.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on X, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and follow @lionupfootball on Instagram.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics observes a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.