MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Coming on the heels of last week's First Team All-American nod bestowed by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA),
Dylan Connors '26 made more history this afternoon as he was named First Team All-American by the Associated Press. This landmark achievement signals the first time a Wesleyan football player has earned AP All-American honors since Herbert Cooper back in 1967.
Connors joins Cooper as one of just two Cardinal defensive players in team history to earn AP All-American honors, while Connors is the team's first-ever defensive player to be named First Team All-American by the AP. Two other NESCAC players joined Connors on the AP All-America list as Bowdoin defensive end Angus Leary was named to the Third Team, as did Middlebury's long snapper Owen Thornton.
The playmaking senior safety led the NESCAC's top-ranked defense for each of the past two seasons. The 2025 NESCAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year posted 51 tackles (35 solo) in nine games this season to go along with four tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, two interceptions, and one blocked punt which he returned 22 yards for a touchdown against Amherst. Connors' all-around ability shined in the win over the Mammoths as he posted six tackles, one TFL, two pass breakups, and the blocked punt and return for TD. He finished up his career with 145 career tackles, five interceptions, 26 pass breakups, and four touchdowns (two INT returns, two blocked punt and recovery TDs).
