STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) announced this afternoon that seven members of the Stony Brook football team have earned All-CAA honors. Additionally, head coach Billy Cosh was named CAA Coach of the Year after leading the Seawolves to the biggest turnaround in the FCS during his first season.

Running back Roland Dempster and defensive lineman Rushawn Lawrence were selected to the All-CAA First Team. Kicker Enda Kirby, defensive back Rudy Silvera, and tight end Cal Redman earned spots on the All-CAA Second Team. Offensive lineman Niko Papic and linebacker AJ Roberts received All-CAA Third Team honors.

Dempster became the second player in program history to be nominated for the Walter Payton Award after a record-breaking 2024 season. He led the Seawolves in rushing yards (1,332), rushing attempts (268), rushing yards per game (111.0), and all-purpose yards per game (138.9). Nationally, he ranked third in the FCS and second in the CAA in total touchdowns. Dempster also led the CAA in total rushing yards and rushing yards per game while ranking ninth nationally in all-purpose yards per game. He was named CAA Offensive Player of the Week twice and earned FCS National Player of the Week honors on September 30.

Leading the defensive front, Lawrence ended the season with 8.0 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, 42 total tackles, one interception, two pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. His standout performances included recording two sacks and an interception in the victory over Fordham and forcing two fumbles with two sacks in the win over Towson. He finished the season leading the team in sacks and tackles for loss, also ranking fourth in the CAA in sacks. 

In his final season, Redman set career highs in receptions (32), receiving yards (393), and touchdowns (4). He ranked second in the CAA for touchdowns by a tight end and was instrumental in key victories, including scoring in back-to-back wins over Towson and William & Mary. He recorded at-least one reception in 10 of 12 games this season and tallied 30 or more receiving yards in half of the Seawolves games in 2024. 

Kirby earned his first CAA honor after setting a program record with 17 field goals in a single season and finishing with an 85% field goal completion rate, which was second best in program history. He led the CAA in field goal percentage and tied for the most field goals made in the conference. Kirby made eight consecutive field goals to close the season and set a career-long 41-yard field goal twice during the year. 

In his first season with the Seawolves, Silvera led the team with 12 pass breakups and three interceptions. He ranked second in the CAA and top 10 in the FCS in pass breakups. His highlights included forcing and recovering a fumble during the Golden Apple Victory and producing nine tackles in the season opener against Marshall. This season, he tallied a pass break up in eight of 12 games, including four games with multiple pass breaks up which led the team.

Roberts led the team in tackles with 86, including 54 assisted tackles. He contributed to turnovers with an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Notably, he scored his first career touchdown in the Golden Apple victory and recorded an interception during the win over William & Mary. Roberts recorded at-least four tackles in all 12 games this season and tallied a tackle for loss in seven of 12 games for Stony Brook this season. 

Papic was one of two players to start every game on the offensive line, helping the Seawolves rank fourth in the CAA in offense. His efforts contributed to Stony Brook leading the CAA in time of possession and surpassing 100 rushing yards in 10 of 12 games and over 200 passing yards in six games, including five of their last six. Papic has helped Dempster become one of the top running backs in the FCS and the resurgence of the Stony Brook offense. 

In his first season at the helm of the program and the second youngest coach in FBS or FCS, Cosh brought national attention to the team by helping the team to their most wins since 2018, first national ranking since 2018, highest national ranking since 2017, first Golden Apple victory since 2021 and the biggest turnaround in the FCS this season (0-10 to 8-4). 

The 2024 AFCA Region 1 Coach of the Year took a team that was projected to finish last in the CAA to their highest standing in the conference since 2018. Cosh has also secured the third-most wins among first-year head coaches in the FCS and is the fastest head coach in program history to achieve eight career victories.

Stony Brook led the CAA and ranked in the FCS top 10 for fumbles recovered, turnover margin, turnovers gained, and blocked punts allowed. They also ranked in the CAA's top three—and the FCS's top 25—in fourth-down conversion percentage, defensive touchdowns, passes intercepted, red zone offense, red zone defense, tackles for loss allowed and time of possession.

For an inside look at the Seawolves football program, be sure to follow them on Facebook, X, and Instagram.