Payton Jr. and Gibson Named to All-NACC Second Team

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Eureka's defensive duo of Derrick Payton Jr. (West Seattle, Wash./O'dea) and Jovon Gibson (Statesboro, Ga./Statesboro) have been named to the All-NACC Second Team, the conference announced on Thursday. Tanner Laesch (Lexington, Ill./Lexington), Chuck Weathersby (Kankakee, Ill./Kankakee), and Will Watkins (Flint, Mich./Davison) also earned All-NACC Honorable Mention honors following strong seasons for the Red Devils.

Payton Jr., who earned honorable mention last year in his debut season with Eureka, took another major step forward in 2025. The junior linebacker ranked seventh in the NACC in tackles for loss and eighth in sacks, while leading the Red Devils in both categories. He finished the year with 51 total tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks, and added three pass breakups. Payton's career production has already placed him inside the Eureka record book in multiple areas. He now ranks sixth in career sacks, tied for eighth in career tackles for loss, and 10th in program history in both career TFL yardage and single-season TFL yardage. He also sits tied for 10th in single-season sacks, and his 61 career solo tackles place him 41st all-time at Eureka.

Gibson made a tremendous impact in his first collegiate season, finishing as Eureka's leading tackler with 55 total stops. The freshman defensive back ranked in the top 25 in the NACC in both solo and assisted tackles, while also emerging as a turnover machine. He finished second in the conference in fumble recoveries and fourth in interceptions, tallying three in each category. Gibson's playmaking ability also put him in the Eureka record book, tying for 17th in single-season interceptions and 22nd in single-season interception return yardage. He added four tackles for loss and finished third on the team in interception return yards, helping anchor the Red Devils' secondary throughout the season.

Laesch earned honorable mention status after starting all 10 games at center this fall. The senior from Lexington was a consistent anchor on the offensive line and wrapped up his career as a four-year starter, playing a key leadership role up front for the Red Devils.

Weathersby showcased a well-rounded defensive game on his way to honorable mention recognition. He totaled 42 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 1.0 sack while finishing tied for ninth in the NACC in forced fumbles, tied for fourth in fumble recoveries, and tied for eighth in interceptions with two.

Watkins also earned honorable mention following a breakout sophomore season. He finished third on the team in total tackles with 53, while his 9.0 tackles for loss ranked 14th in the NACC and his 37 TFL yards ranked 11th. Watkins added two sacks and a forced fumble, finishing as one of Eureka's most disruptive defensive players.