INDIANAPOLIS – The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced Friday the 18 student-athletes who have been selected to attend the 2025 GLVC Football Kickoff, which will take place in Lebanon, Illinois, on Friday, August 1. The GLVC contingent, highlighted by nine All-Conference returners, will participate in the 13th annual event. The event will take place at The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on the campus of McKendree University from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Central Time and will serve both the league’s media members and passionate fans through several social media outlets.
The coach and two student-athletes from each of the nine GLVC football institutions will be on hand to help promote the Conference’s 14th season.
Four of the nine offensive players attending the kickoff are the signal callers for their respective teams.
Gavin Sukup (UINDY) earned GLVC Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024.
Ty Michael (MCK) placed second in total passing yards (2,542), while
Dylan Hair (TSU) led the league in touchdown passes with 25. Michael earned Honorable Mention while Hair was named to the All-GLVC Second Team.
Isaiah Tate (LIN) rounds out the quarterback group adding 1,359 passing yards in 2024.
Three offensive linemen and two wide receivers will also be going to the Kickoff at the end of the month.
Austin Mahoney (S&T), Nathan Smith (QU), and
Nash Gagliano (WJC) represent the offensive lineman with Smith being named to the All-GLVC Second Team in 2024. Kamau Ransom (SBU) caught 30 passes for 309 yards, and
Mante Morrow (UIU) recorded 40 receptions for 537 yards and earned All-GLVC Second Team honors.
On the other side of the ball, we have a good representation of all areas of the defense with three defensive lineman, three linebackers, and three defensive backs, making the trip.
Jacob McGhee (LIN),
Shaquille Roman (UIU), and
Justin Endicott (WJC) represent the lineman with McGhee coming off a five sack campaign, Roman a one sack, and Endicott a 5.5 sack season. The linebacking core includes
Nick Bova (MCK), Brock Inman (QU), and
Jack Weltha (TSU), with Bova an Honorable Mention and Inman a first team selection in 2024. Bova registered 63 tackles (8.5 for loss), Inman 55 (7.5 for loss), and Weltha is coming off a one game season. The defensive backs are represented by
Jalyn Givan (UINDY), Justin Gniedziejko (S&T), and
Jed Brandon (SBU). Givan and Gniedziejko were both named to the All-GLVC Second Team last season with Givan part of a Top 10 defensive unit in all of Division II last season. Gniedziejko had 55 tackles and Brandon had 22 in 2024.
While attendance in person is for approved media only, fans are encouraged to participate in the event through a variety of social media platforms and follow along online with each GLVC school, as they rotate through stations over the course of the 90-minute event. A complete schedule, as well as the official 2025 GLVC Football Kickoff website, will be announced on Wednesday, July 30.
Media members interested in attending the 2025 GLVC Football Kickoff can apply for access by contacting GLVC Assistant Commissioner for Strategic Communications Noah Stubenrauch at
noah@glvc-sports.org by Tuesday, July 29 at 5 p.m. ET.
The complete list of the 2025 GLVC Football Kickoff player attendees is below.
| School |
Offensive Player |
Defensive Player |
| Indianapolis |
Gavin Sukup, Sr. QB (Seward, Neb.) |
Jalyn Givan, R-Sr., DB (Plainfield, Ill.) |
| Lincoln |
Isaiah Tate, So., QB (Memphis, Tenn.) |
Jacob McGhee, So., DL (Chicago, Ill.) |
| McKendree |
Ty Michael, Gr., QB (O’Fallon, Ill.) |
Nick Bova, Jr., LB (Troy, Mo.) |
| Missouri S&T |
Austin Mahoney, Jr., OL (St. Peters, Mo.) |
Justin Gniedziejko, Sr., DB (Chicago, Ill.) |
| Quincy |
Nathan Smith, Gr., OL (Roeland Park, Kan.) |
Brock Inman, Gr., LB (Arnold, Mo.) |
| Southwest Baptist |
Kamau Ransom, Sr., WR (Evanston, Ill.) |
Jed Brandon, Sr., DB (Willard, Mo.) |
| Truman State |
Dylan Hair, Jr., QB (Wardsville, Mo.) |
Jack Weltha, Sr., LB (Bloomington, Ill.) |
| Upper Iowa |
Mante Morrow., Sr., WR (Joliet, Ill.) |
Shaquille Roman, Sr., DL (Beloit, Wis.) |
| William Jewell |
Nash Gagliano, Sr., OL (Prosper, Texas) |
Justin Endicott, Sr., DL (Prosper, Texas) |
INDIANAPOLIS
Gavin Sukup, Senior, Quarterback (Seward, Nebraska)
- Enters third season with UIndy after leading College of DuPage to the NJCAA National Championship as a true freshman in 2022.
- Named GLVC Offensive Player of the Year for two seasons in a row, as well being a two-time Harlon Hill Trophy candidate.
- Led the GLVC last season in passing yards (2,621), total offense per game (248.6) and passing efficiency (158.3).
- Racked up 362 yards and five TDs on the ground, with the latter tops among all GLVC quarterbacks.
- Has led UIndy to a back-to-back conference titles and playoff appearances.
- Enters his final season ranked second in career completion percentage (.646) and seventh in both career passing yards (5,337) and career passing TDs (46).
Jalyn Givan, Redshirt-Senior, Cornerback (Plainfield, Illinois)
- Three-year letterman and two-time all-conference performer; earned All-GLVC Second Team accolades in 2024 and All-GLVC Honorable Mention in ’23.
- Started 25 consecutive games dating back to the end of 2022.
- Only returning defensive backfield starter returning.
- Part of a unit that in 2024 paced the GLVC in scoring defense and total defense, ranking in the top 10 in Division II in both metrics.
- Standout performer on three GLVC championship teams and three consecutive playoff qualifiers
LINCOLN
Isaiah Tate, Sophomore, Quarterback (Memphis, Tennessee)
- Enters second season with the Blue Tigers.
- Started all 11 games for Lincoln in 2024.
- Threw for 1,359 yards and seven touchdowns.
- Rushed for 240 yards and four touchdowns.
Jacob McGhee, Sophomore, Defensive Lineman (Chicago, Ill.)
- Enters second season with Lincoln.
- Played in all 11 games for the Blue Tigers in 2024.
- Made 50 total tackles with 12.5 for loss and five sacks.
MCKENDREE
Ty Michael, Graduate Student, Quarterback (O’Fallon, Illinois)
- Enters fifth season with McKendree.
- Named Honorable Mention All-GLVC in 2024.
- Started all 11 games in 2024
- Completed 57% of his passes for 2,542 yards.
- Threw 17 passing touchdowns and ran in one touchdown.
Nick Bova, Junior, Linebacker (Troy, Missouri)
- Enters third season with McKendree.
- Earned All-GLVC Honorable Mention in 2024.
- Played in all 11 games as part of the defensive line unit.
- Registered 63 total tackles, with 38 being solo.
- Recorded 8.5 tackles for loss and three pass deflections.
MISSOURI S&T
Austin Mahoney, Junior, Offensive Line (St. Peters, Missouri)
- Started the last two seasons as right tackle for the Miners.
- Started all eleven games last season.
- Three-time GLVC All-Academic Honoree
- Named to the CSC Academic All-District in 2024
Justin Gniedziejko, Senior, Defensive Back (Chicago, Illinois)
- Enters fourth season at S&T.
- Named to All-GLVC Second Team in 2024 after being named Honorable Mention in 2023.
- Finished the season with 58 total tackles, including 28 solo stops.
- Selected to the Academic All-GLVC team and was a College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District selection in 2024.
QUINCY
Nathan Smith, Graduate Student, Offensive Lineman (Roeland Park, Kansas)
- Enters fifth season with Quincy.
- Named GLVC 2nd Team and four team Academic All-GLVC.
- Helped a rushing attack that averaged 5.4 yards per carry.
- Only allowed seven sacks total and an offensive line.
- Combined for 1,629 total yards of offense, which ranked third in the GLVC.
Brock Inman, Graduate Student, Linebacker (Arnold, Missouri)
- Enters fifth season with the Hawks.
- Recorded 139 total tackles (13 for loss), three forced fumbles, and five interceptions in 28 total games
- Named 1st Team All-GLVC in 2024 following a 2nd Team All-GLVC 2023 season
SOUTHWEST BAPTIST
Kamau Ransom, Senior, Wide Receiver (Evanston, Illinois)
- Enters second season with SBU after transferring from Indianapolis.
- Caught 30 passes for 309 receiving yards.
- Added three receiving touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown.
Jed Brandon, Senior, Defensive Back (Willard, Missouri)
- Enters sixth season with the Bearcats.
- Collected 22 total tackles in 2024 in four games.
- Made six tackles, two for loss and one interception in a half against Lincoln last season.
TRUMAN STATE
Dylan Hair, Junior, Quarterback (Wardsville, Missouri)
- Enters third season for Truman.
- Named All-GLVC Second Team in 2024
- Started all 12 games in 2024 throwing for 2,360 yards, and 25 touchdowns.
- Rushed for 529 yards and four touchdowns.
- Went 14-of-18 in the 2024 America’s Crossroads Bowl, helping lead Truman to a victory, and it’s fourth title overall.
Jack Weltha, Senior, Linebacker (Bloomington, Illinois)
- Enters fourth season for the Bulldogs.
- Played in only one game last season.
- Named to All-GLVC Second Team in 2023.
- Career marks of 4.5 sacks, and 13 tackles for loss as well as two forced fumbles.
UPPER IOWA
Mante Morrow, Senior, Wide Receiver (Joliet, Illinois)
- Enters third season with the Peacocks.
- Named All-GLVC Second Team in 2024 following a First Team nod in 2023.
- Recorded 40 receptions for a team high 537 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2024.
Shaquille Roman, Senior, Defensive Lineman (Beloit, Wisconsin)
- Enters fourth season with Upper Iowa.
- Played in all 11 games this past season.
- Recorded 18 tackles including three tackles for loss and one sack.
- Also added a forced fumble, fumble recovery and an interception.
WILLIAM JEWELL
Nash Gagliano, Senior, Offensive Lineman (Prosper, Texas)
- Enters fourth season with the Cardinals.
- Started all 32 games of his career
- Leader of the offensive line that contributed to nearly 2,000 rushing yards (1,994) last season leading to 20 touchdowns, and All-American Keaundre McCullough’s breakout season
- High school teammate of Justin Endicott.
Justin Endicott, Senior, Defensive Lineman (Prosper, Texas)
- Enters fourth season at Jewell.
- Started 11 games in 2024 adding 34 tackles with 24 of them being solo.
- Led the team with 47 tackle-for-loss yards on 10 TFL
- Second on team with 5.5 sacks for team high 32 yards
- Has appeared in all 32 games of his career with 25 starts
- High school teammate of Nash Gagliano.