BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Gulf South Conference unveiled its all-conference team selections and individual award winners for the 2025 season. All awardees and honors were determined by a vote of the Conference’s head coaches.
West Florida’s Marcus Stokes was named GSC Offensive Player of the Year and teammate Ja’Kobe Clinton received Defensive Player of the Year honors. Defensive Freshman of the Year went to West Alabama’s Chrissean Jones, while Valdosta State’s Shawn Paschall garnered Offensive Freshman of the Year. UWF’s Kaleb Nobles and Valdosta State’s Graham Craig were voted as GSC Co-Coach of the Year.
Sixty-two players from four programs were recognized over the two all-conference squads. West Florida led the way with 21 All-GSC honorees, while Delta State followed with 16, West Alabama had 13 and Valdosta State had 12 selections.
Stokes burst onto the scene this season topping the league in most major offensive categories—passing yards (2,886), passing touchdowns (28), pass completions (196), pass attempts (322), total offensive yards (3,174). The redshirt-sophomore quarterback was also ranked among GSC leaders in passing percentage (2nd/.609), rushing touchdowns (t-5th/7), and rushing yards (8th/288). Stokes is the seventh consecutive quarterback to win top offensive honors and the first Argonaut since 2021 (Austin Reed).
Clinton appeared in 10 games for West Florida and lead the Gulf South in sacks (7), tackles for loss (18.0) and tackles for loss yards (86). His 72 total tackles and 46 solo stops were second-best on the GSC charts. The redshirt-senior also defended six passes, tying him for eighth among leaders. Clinton is the third consecutive Argonaut to earn top defensive honors.
Jones had a solid debut season as he registered 11 total tackles across six games. He also had one tackle for loss and two pass breakups. Jones is the first first Tiger since 2016 (Trent Archie) and third all-time to win defensive freshman honors.
Paschall put together a notable first season for Valdosta State as the running back logged 153 yards on 35 carries. He played seven games for the Blazers, scoring three rushing touchdowns and averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Paschall is the first Blazer to capture Offensive Freshman of the Year recognition since 2016 and the program’s fourth running back.
This is the first GSC Coach of the Year award for both Craig and Nobles. For Craig, the first-year head coach led Valdosta State to a share of the conference title and secured the GSC’s automatic bid to the NCAA postseason. Nobles meanwhile makes program history as the first Argonaut to garner GSC coaching accolades. Under his direction, West Florida went 9-1 record overall and earned a share of the GSC title with a 2-1 record and the No. 2-seed in the Super Region 2 for the 2025 NCAA DII Football Championship.
Offensive Player of the Year: Marcus Stokes, West Florida
Defensive Player of the Year: Ja’Kobe Clinton, West Florida
Offensive Freshman of the Year: Shawn Paschall, Valdosta State
Defensive Freshman of the Year: Chrissean Jones, West Alabama
Co-Coach of the Year: Graham Craig, Valdosta State & Kaleb Nobles, West Florida
First Team All-GSC‡
QB: Marcus Stokes, West Florida
RB: Corey Reddick Jr., Valdosta State
RB/AP: TJ Lane, West Florida
AP: Nick Clark, Delta State
WR: Corey Scott, West Florida
WR: Curtis Rearden, Delta State
WR: Council Allen, Valdosta State
WR: Neno Lemay, Delta State
TE: Jake Robinette, West Florida
C: Ben Newton, West Alabama
OG: Logan Browning, Delta State
OG: Kenley-Mary Asse, Valdosta State
OT: Gabe Schweitzer, Delta State
OT: Issiah Walker, West Florida
DL: Kevin Roberts, West Florida
DL: Mark Robinson, Valdosta State
DL: Lorenzo Payne, West Florida
DL: Justice Williams, West Florida
DL: Collin Shaw, West Florida
LB: Ja’Kobe Clinton, West Florida
LB: William Carter, Delta State
LB: Walker Robinson, West Florida
LB: JT Hooten, West Alabama
DB: Taylon Doss, Delta State
DB: Rance Conner, Valdosta State
DB: Tye Holsey, Delta State
DB: Chester Fearon, West Florida
K: Elijah Guyton, West Alabama
P: Austin McCready, West Alabama
RS: Neno Lemay, Delta State
UT: Tavian Moore, Delta State
UT: Jaden Taylor, West Alabama
Second Team All-GSC
QB: Spencer Arceneaux, West Alabama
RB: Eric Watts, Valdosta State
RB: Nick Clark, Delta State
AP: Brayden Jenkins, West Alabama
WR: Tyree Holloway, West Florida
WR: TD Parker, West Alabama
WR: Dearrius Nelson, West Alabama
WR: Lawrence Armstrong, Delta State
TE: Carter Coullard, Delta State
C: Victor Cameron, Valdosta State
C: Jabari Edwards, West Florida
OG: Levi Johnson, West Florida
OG: Trevaris Edwards, West Florida
OT: Camaar Epps, West Florida
OT: Mason Hiller, West Alabama
DL: Alex Larry, Delta State
DL: Greg Hudgins III, Valdosta State
DL: Marquis Robinson, West Alabama
DL: JacQuez Tucker, Delta State
LB: Joshua Phillips, Delta State
LB: Julius Pascal, Valdosta State
LB: Jaden Dawkins, Valdosta State
LB: Warren Coneway, West Florida
DB: Roderick Webb, West Florida
DB: Jamari Jemison, West Alabama
DB: Tony Newsome, West Florida
DB: Dallas Robinson, Valdosta State
K: Matt Rolader, Valdosta State
P/UT: Price Nixon, Delta State
RS: Houston Johnson, West Alabama
UT: Patrick Delcour, West Florida
‡ Tie in voting resulted in expanded roster