BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Postseason awards continue to roll in, and today Colgate University football seniors Trevyhon Saunders and
Danny Norocea were named to the Academic All-Patriot League team.
Saunders and Norocea were two of 14 Patriot League football student-athletes named to the prestigious list for their efforts on and off the field. To be eligible, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average as an undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) and be a starter or key player. Nominees must have completed at least one academic year at their institution.
Saunders, an economics major, was a William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist, an award annually presented to the top scholar-athlete in FCS football. Saunders has spent time doing considerable course work in both Econometrics and Industrial Organization, both of which encouraged thinking more carefully about how information, strategy, and market forces shape the world.
In addition to his records broken on the field, Saunders has contributed to many community service and leadership initiatives, reading books for children at local schools, playing kickball with children of special needs, picking up trash for Earth Day and representing the football team at a local marathon.
Saunders, a two-year captain for the Raiders, garnered All-Patriot League First Team distinction. He led the FCS in receptions (50), receiving yards (700), and receiving yards per game (116.67), and was fifth nationally in touchdowns (5) before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 6.
The Columbis, Ohio, native eclipsed 100 yards receiving in four of his five full games played (223, 137, 105, 126, 91), including a career-high 223 yards with two TDs in the opener against Monmouth. Saunders graduates as the program's all-time leader in career receptions (230), and owns the single-season receptions record with 88 in 2024. He was on pace to shatter that record again in 2025.
Norocea, a Political Science major, earns his first Academic All-League honor. The senior defensive lineman secured an elusive summer internship with Marion County Public Defender Agency in Indianapolis, Ind., supporting their Major Felony Division as a paralegal intern.
He also served as Sustainability Chair for Delta Upsilon International Fraternity in Hamilton (2024) and was the Assistant to the President for Euro Plastering & Stucco, attending job-site meetings and playing a key role in maintaining accurate and timely records of materials and equipment.
As an intern at Hendricks Realty, LLC, assisting in oversight of more than 30 homes, Norocea was responsible for writing lease agreements, conducting background checks, and scheduling repairs.
On the field, Norocea played and started in all 12 games on the defensive line this season, compiling 21 tackles (3 solo, 18 assist) with 2.5 TFLs, a sack, and a quarterback hurry. He racked up a career-high six tackles including 0.5 TFL at Georgetown.
