Keydets Close 2025 Season with Standout Individual Performances

The VMI football team concluded its 2025 season by falling to Western Carolina University, and although the Keydets didn’t have the season they wished for, there were memorable moments along the way.

VMI opened its campaign at the historic U.S. Naval Academy, where Collin Shannon ’25 and Owen Sweeney ’28 were able to connect for a score. In week two, the Keydets dominated Ferrum College in its home opener.

As the year progressed, Sweeney continued to find the end zone and was named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List, which recognizes the top freshman in Football Championship Subdivision football.

That same week, Kouri Crump ’26, redshirt 2nd Class cadet, was named the 2025 Defender of the Nation, an award presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club to one of the top defenders from a service academy. Crump was recognized in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dec. 8.

Against the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Ben Shrewsbury ’27 had four punts of 50 or more yards and two completed field goals, earning SoCon Player of the Week honors.

After the year concluded, six Keydets collected a total of seven recognitions on the All-SoCon Teams. Shrewsbury and Nathan Payne ’26 earned First Team Specialist honors, while Stephen Dean III ’26 and Sweeney got Second Team Defense and Offense, respectively.

Along with Sweeney, Donovan Burnett ’29, defensive lineman, and Derek Hite ’29, linebacker, were named to the All-Freshman squad.

Members of the team, now under the direction of Ashley Ingram, newly hired head coach, turn their sights to the fall 2026 season.