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Football 11/18/2025 2:27:00 PM Alan Babbitt

Football Places 11 on All-MIAA Teams, Including Defensive MVP Liam Danitz

Defensive Most Valuable Player Liam Danitz headlined a group of 11 All-MIAA selections for the Hope College football team for the 2025 season.

Danitz (West Branch, Michigan/Ogemaw Heights) is the 29th Flying Dutchmen standout to claim MIAA MVP honors. The senior defensive lineman is joined by six other All-MIAA First Team honorees and four All-MIAA Second Team selections from Hope.

Kicker Caden Balkon, safety Owen Graham, cornerback Austin Harvey, H-back Seth Luhmann, center Rob MacAleese and defensive lineman Caleb Paarlberg also made the first team.

Liam Danitz poses for a portrait.

Linebacker Bryce Debri, receiver Jonny Rohen-Blanton, linebacker Colton Schreur and quarterback Alex Thole earned second-team honors.

All-MIAA First Team

Danitz, an exercise science major, led the MIAA with 1.29 sacks per seven league games, totaling nine sacks, including seven solo. His disruptive presence at the line of scrimmage consistently set the tone for the MIAA's No. 1 scoring and total defense.

Danitz followed former teammate Cole Luhmann as MIAA Defensive MVP after Luhmann earned the distinction last season.

Balkon (Byron Center, Michigan/Byron Center) led MIAA kickers in scoring at 7.9 points per league game and claimed his first All-MIAA recognition. The senior political science major converted 43 of 46 PATs and 4 of 9 field-goal attempts. His career-best 45-yard field goal lifted Hope to a 19-17 victory at Adrian College on Oct. 25.

Graham (Caledonia, Michigan/Caledonia) tied for the MIAA lead with six interceptions during league play for his first All-MIAA recognition. The senior social studies composite education major recorded a season-best six tackles at Adrian.

Harvey (Rockford, Michigan/Rockford) intercepted two passes and collected two pass breakups against MIAA opponents. The junior repeated as an All-MIAA First Team selection.

Luhmann (Rochester, Michigan/Stoney Creek) provided powerful blocking for a Flying Dutchmen rushing attack that averaged 244.6 yards per game. The junior earned his second All-MIAA First Team honor in a row.

MacAleese (Brownstown, Michigan/Oscar A. Carlson) anchored the protection and run blocking for the MIAA's top scoring and total offense. The senior civil engineering major claimed his first All-MIAA recognition.

Paarlberg (Caledonia, Michigan/Caledonia) totaled 30 tackles and two sacks during MIAA play, including a season-high eight tackles against Alma College. The senior business major was an All-MIAA Second Team selection last season.

All-MIAA Second Team

Debri (DeWitt, Michigan/DeWitt) earned All-MIAA honors for the first time as a safety. The senior business major collected 30 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble against MIAA opponents.

Rohen-Blanton (Rockford, Michigan/Rockford) claimed All-MIAA honors for the first time. The junior business major caught 43 passes in league play for 528 yards and two touchdowns.

Schreur (Wayland, Michigan/South Christian) earned All-MIAA distinction for the first time. The senior business major made 46 tackles during league play, including 10-tackle games against Trine University and Adrian.

Thole (Schoolcraft, Michigan/Schoolcraft) claimed All-MIAA accolades in his first season with the Flying Dutchmen. The junior exercise science major passed for 1,827 yards and 16 touchdowns against league opponents.

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Players Mentioned

#50 Cole Luhmann: LB; 6' 0"; Senior; Businesss

#30 Caden Balkon: K/P; 5' 11"; Senior; Political Science

#0 Liam Danitz: DL; 6' 5"; Senior; Exercise Science

#21 Bryce Debri: LB; 5' 11"; Senior; Business

#42 Owen Graham: S; 5' 11"; Senior; Social Studies Composite

#13 Austin Harvey: CB; 6' 0"; Junior; Business

#40 Seth Luhmann: TE/H; 6' 0"; Junior; Exercise Science and Religion

#59 Rob MacAleese: OL; 6' 1"; Senior; Civil Engineering

#11 Caleb Paarlberg: DL; 6' 2"; Senior; Business

#6 Jonny Rohen-Blanton: WR; 5' 9"; Junior; Business

Players Mentioned

#50 Cole Luhmann
: 6' 0"; Senior; Businesss
: LB

#30 Caden Balkon
: 5' 11"; Senior; Political Science
: K/P

#0 Liam Danitz
: 6' 5"; Senior; Exercise Science
: DL

#21 Bryce Debri
: 5' 11"; Senior; Business
: LB

#42 Owen Graham
: 5' 11"; Senior; Social Studies Composite
: S

#13 Austin Harvey
: 6' 0"; Junior; Business
: CB

#40 Seth Luhmann
: 6' 0"; Junior; Exercise Science and Religion
: TE/H

#59 Rob MacAleese
: 6' 1"; Senior; Civil Engineering
: OL

#11 Caleb Paarlberg
: 6' 2"; Senior; Business
: DL

#6 Jonny Rohen-Blanton
: 5' 9"; Junior; Business
: WR