Fargo, N.D. – Senior linebacker
Terry Elias Jr. (Monee, Ill./Crete-Monee) earned Victory Sports Network NAIA First Team All-American honors, while senior linebacker
Chris Swayne (LaSalle, Ill./LaSalle-Peru Township) claimed VSN All-American Honorable Mention recognition the Saint Xavier University football team (8-3, 4-1 MSFA Midwest) after the conclusion of the 2025 NAIA Football National Championship that saw defending national champion No.1 Grand View University (Iowa) defeat No. 2 Keiser University (Fla.) 22-16 on Saturday, December 20 in Fort Worth, Texas. It is the first time since 2017 that the Cougars had a VSN All-American, when former standout offensive lineman Justin Hunter (2014-17) claimed a second consecutive All-American honor.
Saint Xavier head coach
Mike Feminis had this to say about Elias Jr. and Swayne, "Terry and Chris are very deserving of this honor. We've has had some great linebackers here but as a pair they are in the conversation with the best we've had at SXU."
- Elias Jr. claimed All-Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest League First Team for the third straight season. He also earned MSFA Midwest League Defensive Player of the Week twice in 2025 on September 29 and November 10. Overall, in 11 games, Elias Jr. totaled 111 tackles (43 solos), 12.5 tackles for loss (TFL) for 47 yards, 11 quarterback hurries, 4.0 sacks for 24 yards, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception.
- Swayne was an All-MSFA Midwest League Second-Team selection, he was All-MSFA First Team in 2024, MSFA Midwest League Defensive Player of the Week on October 4 and was named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete for the third time. He played in 11 games, posting a team-leading 115 tackles (41 solos), along with 10.0 TFL for 32 yards, eight quarterback hurries, 6.0 sacks for 24 yards, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Saint Xavier (8-3/4-1 MSFA Midwest) finished the 2025 season with a share of the MSFA Midwest League Championship after a forfeit victory over Marian University (Ind.) in the season finale.
Full list of VSN NAIA All-Americans:
