ROCKFORD, Ill. -  The Rockford University football program had seven players honored by the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference on Monday afternoon when the NACC released its 2023 postseason awards. Linebacker Joey Alvarez headlined the group by being named both the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-NACC. Quarterback Jaelen Ray and wide receiver Da'Quan McIntosh were both also selected Second Team All-NACC and punter Kaden Finnestad, returner William Key, defensive lineman Chancellor Bradley Jr. and tight end Curtis Hosea all received NACC Honorable Mention status. 

Linebacker Joey Alvarez capped off his outstanding season by being voted both the NACC Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-NACC. Alvarez becomes just the second RU football player to be selected as the NACC Freshman of the Year (Seth Swinehart, 2011) and the first to win the award outright. He led the RU defense, is at or near the top of the NACC numerous statistical rankings and finished the regular season ranked in the top 20 among all NCAA Division III players in two categories. Alvarez led the NACC in tackles per game (10.5), ranked 15th in pass breakups per game (0.63) and 24th in tackles for loss per game (0.69). He also finished fifth in the conference in solo tackles (47) and sixth in assisted tackles (37) and total tackles (84) despite only playing in eight games this season. Nationally, Alverez ended the regular season ranked 17th in the country in solo tackles per game (5.9) and 20th total tackles per game (10.5). 

Quarterback Jaelen Ray was selected Second Team All-NACC after being named NACC Honorable Mention the previous two seasons. Ray led the NACC in six offensive categories and finished in the top three in three others. He led the NACC in completions (259), attempts (410), passing yards (2,896), passing yards per game (289.6), total offense (3,021) and total offense per game (302.1). Ray also finished the regular season second in the conference in completion percentage (63.2%) and passing touchdowns (22) and third in passing efficiency (133.4). At the NCAA Division III level, Ray is currently eighth in the country in completions per game (25.9) and passing yards (2,896), 11th in passing yards per game (289.6) and 20th in total offense per game (302.1). On top of all that, Ray now holds a combined 17 single-game, season or career school records, and he also tied the NCAA record for the longest play from scrimmage with a 99-yard touchdown pass against Concordia Wisconsin. 

Wide receiver Da'Quan McIntosh was named Second Team All-NACC for the first time in his career. McIntosh burst onto the scene this year and set career-highs in basically every category as the Regents' top receiver. He led the NACC in receptions (61), receiving yards (948), receptions per game (6.1) and receiving yards per game (94.8). He also ended the regular season ranked third in receiving touchdowns (9), fifth in all-purpose yards (960) and all-purpose yards per game (96.0) and 12th in yards per catch (15.5). At the NCAA Division III level, McIntosh is currently ranks 22nd in receiving yards and 26th in receiving yards per game. McIntosh also tied the NCAA record for the longest play from scrimmage with his 99-yard touchdown reception at Concordia Wisconsin. 

Punter Kaden Finnestad earned NACC Honorable Mention status for the first time in his career. Finnestad held a dual role as both the Regents' punter and kicker during the season. He had a banner year punting, ranking in the top three in the NACC in six different categories. Finnestad finished the regular season second in the NACC in 50-yard punts (4), punts inside the 20-yard line (8) and punts that were fair caught (9), and third in total punts (41) and punting yards (1,430). His 71-yard punt in week one at Beloit was also the longest in the NACC this season. As Rockford's place kicker, Finnestad connected on four field goals, which was only one off the NACC lead, and converted 26 extra points. 

Tight end Curtis Hosea was selected NACC Honorable Mention for the first time in his career. Hosea excelled in his first season as Rockford's primary pass catching tight end and ended the year ranked in the top eight in the NACC in six different categories. Hosea finished third in the conference in receptions (50) and receptions per game (5.0), sixth in receiving yards (582), seventh in receiving yards per game (58.2) and eighth in receiving touchdowns (4). He also caught the sixth longest touchdown pass of the season, when he hauled in a 65-yard score against Concordia Chicago. 

Returner William Key was also named NACC Honorable Mention for the first time in his career. Key averaged 17.6 yards per kick return and ended the season second in the NACC in returns (24) and third in kick return yards (423). In addition to his return duties, Key also played a role as a part of the Regent offense. Key caught 14 passes for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran the ball twice for 25 yards and 1 score. 

Defensive lineman Chancellor Bradley Jr. garnered NACC Honorable Mention recognition for the first time. Bradley put together the best season of his collegiate career in 2023. He played in all ten games, finishing with career-highs in total tackles (43), solo tackles (21), assisted tackles (22), tackles for loss (5) and sacks (2).