Mingo and Grubbs Highlight All-MSFA Honors for Trojans
UPLAND, Ind. – The Mid-States Football Association announced its All-Mideast League Team on Monday, with Taylor's Aaron Mingo being named the MSFA Mideast League Coach of the Year and Jonathan Grubbs being voted the MSFA Mideast League Offensive Lineman of the Year.
In all, No. 22 Taylor collected 15 All-MSFA honors following its historic 9-2 season that marked a seven-win turnaround from 2023 and saw the Trojans register nine wins for the second time in program history and the first since 1999.
Joining Mingo and Grubbs in receiving All-MSFA recognition were All-MSFA First-Team selections Dakohta Sonnichsen and Aven Jones, All-MSFA Second-Team standouts Damon Hockett, Jameson Chesser, Joey Breckel, Jeremiah Mansfield, Jacob Hockett, Reid Messer and Carter Loveless and Honorable Mention All-MSFA performers Brody Crosby, Nathan Munson and Parker Whitby.
Mingo added the MSFA Mideast League Coach-of-the-Year honor on the heels of his AFCA NAIA Region 2 Coach-of-the-Year nod, after leading Taylor to one of its most successful seasons and a second-place showing in the MSFA Mideast League.
In his fourth season at the helm of the Trojans, Mingo saw his squad set new program records for scoring average (48.4), total yards per game (486.4), rushing yards per game (311.7), total touchdowns (75), rushing touchdowns (54) and total points scored (532).
Grubbs anchored a front line that paved the way for Taylor's record-setting offensive output. The junior left tackle started all 11 games for the Trojans, earning MSFA Mideast League Offensive Lineman-of-the-Year and First-Team All-MSFA honors after helping TU close its regular season ranked No. 1 in the NAIA with 54 rushing touchdowns and No. 2 with 311.7 rushing yards per game. Behind the play of Grubbs, Taylor rushing for over 300 yards seven times in 2024 and powered to over 220 yards in all but two outings.
Joining Grubbs as a First-Team All-MSFA nod on the offensive side of the ball for Taylor was Sonnichsen. The senior wide receiver collected his second All-MSFA nod and had his greatest impact for the Taylor offense as a ball carrier, shredding defenses in the open field for 11.2 yards per carry and finishing with 10 rushing touchdowns.
Jones collected his third All-MSFA award with the Trojans, being named First-Team for the first time after leading the NAIA with 132 total tackles during the regular season. Jones had at least 10 stops in all but one game during his final collegiate campaign, ending the season with five sacks, 8.5 hits for lost yardage and three forced fumbles from his linebacker position.
Damon Hockett played to his first All-MSFA award with his Second-Team All-MSFA selection after playing in nine games. The junior quarterback threw for 2,537 yards and 13 touchdowns, while rushing for 267 yards and three scores.
Chesser led the MSFA Mideast League with 1,174 rushing yards on the way to his Second-Team All-MSFA award. The senior also led the league with 134 points and 20 rushing touchdowns, while becoming the sixth player in TU's history to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season.
Breckel played to his second-straight All-MSFA recognition, being named Second-Team on the heels of an Honorable Mention award last season. The senior right tackle was one-of-three starting offensive linemen from the Trojans to receive All-MSFA honors.
Mansfield wrecked opposing offenses en route to his first All-MSFA award, being named Second-Team from his defensive tackle position after posting a league-leading 12 sacks. The senior also posted 55 tackles and 15 hits for lost yardage.
Jacob Hockett earned his fourth-straight All-MSFA nod, with the previous three coming via Honorable Mention selections. The Second-Team All-MSFA linebacker wrapped his TU career with 74 tackles, eight tackles for a loss and two interceptions.
Messer was named Second-Team All-MSFA for his first postseason nod. The second-year safety ranked among the NAIA's best with four interceptions and added 38 total stops, three hits for negative yardage and two forced fumbles.
Loveless rounded out TU's Second-Team All-MSFA awards after serving as the squad's primary punter during his junior season. Loveless averaged 39.2 yards per punt, pinning his opponent inside the 20-yard line 10 times and forcing eight fair catches.
Crosby joined Grubbs and Breckel as the third offensive lineman to garner All-MSFA attention, earning the Honorable Mention nod as TU's starting right guard during his senior campaign.
Munson played to Honorable Mention All-MSFA honors in his first collegiate campaign, opening his career with touchdowns on his first seven catches and finishing with 41.6 receiving yards per game and eight scores from his tight end position.
Whitby rounded out Taylor's list of Honorable Mention All-MSFA selections and closed his career by taking his first postseason honor with 26 tackles and 7.5 sacks from his defensive end slot.
No. 22 Taylor (9-2, 4-1 MSFA) will return five All-MSFA performers for the 2025 season, led by Grubbs, Damon Hockett, Messer, Loveless and Munson.