ALFRED, NY -- The Alfred University men's rugby team had its first-ever National Collegiate Rugby All-American recognized at the Division III level. Junior Center Ayomideji Israel-Akinbo (Makhanda, Eastern Cape, South Africa/St. Andrews College) received the recognition for the Saxons, joining an exclusive 23-man list amongst hundreds of competitors around the nation.

"I am proud of the hard work, dedication, and leadership Deji showed this year," Head Coach Dale Russell said. "His athletic ability and rugby IQ led to a season where he finished with the most trys scored and second most tackles. Deji is the program's first All-American and that is a great honor and is well deserved."

"I'd firstly like to give all the glory to God and acknowledge the work he has done in my life," Israel-Akinbo said. "I'd like to thank Coach Dale for his continuous support; if not for his belief in me, I would not have made it this far. And finally, thank you to Alfred Rugby for the love and all we accomplished together."

Israel-Akinbo finished the fall XVs season with an impressive stat line of 64 tackles. He won 16.5 turnovers throughout the fall. Finally, he led the Saxons with 17 trys on the season and swinging momentum in his team's favor en route to a LERC Conference Championship appearance. 

The 2025 All-American class features a strong mix of returning honorees and first-time selections, highlighting both sustained excellence and the emergence of new standouts. From national title contenders to programs making historic runs, each player selected played a critical role in their team's success.

Across Division I, Division I-AA, Division II, and Division III, these athletes stood out over the course of the season for their consistency, impact, and performance at the highest level of collegiate rugby. Representing 117 programs from coast to coast, this year's All-Americans reflect the depth of talent and competitiveness across every division of NCR competition.

"This group represents the very best of men's collegiate rugby," Men's Director Brad Dufek said. "Through nominations, metrics, All Star performances and more, these 92 players stood out above and beyond their peers. We also want to recognize the coaches and student leaders that have helped create a platform for their All Americans to showcase their abilities. Congratulations to you all!"