Ferreira Earns Inaugural Associated Press (AP) Division III Rookie of the Year Award
BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott freshman running back Bryan Ferreira (Woburn, Mass.) has been named the inaugural Associated Press (AP) Division III Rookie of the Year, as announced earlier today.
Ferreira is the first student-athlete in program history to win an AP major postseason award, and just the fourth Gull to claim AP national postseason accolades.
He is joined on that list by Charlie Kulhay '23 M'24 (Glastonbury, Conn.), Justyn Lester '23 (Tewksbury, Mass.), and Nick DiCairano '20 (Trumbull, Conn.). The trio earned AP All-America honors in 2024 (first team), 2023 (second team), and 2018 (second team), respectively.
This season, Ferreira shattered the program's freshman rushing records across the board. His 1,044 rush yards, 8.6 yards per attempt, and 14 rushing touchdowns are the most ever by a freshman.
Additionally, Ferreira's 14 touchdowns are tied for the program's single-season record set by Endicott Hall of Famer Mike Lane '12 in 2010. His 8.6 yards per attempt are also ranked second to Lane's 10.03 in 2010.
Nationally, the running back from Woburn, Massachusetts, ranked 24th in rushing touchdowns, 34th in rushing yards, and 43rd (tied) in total touchdowns (15).
Beyond the scope of his rushing dominance, Ferreira also made a big impact for the Gulls in the return and passing games.
On 75 kick returns this season, Ferreira recorded 1,175 return yards (117.5 return yards per game). He also brought one kick all the way back for a 75-yard touchdown against Western New England on October 18.
On that day against the Golden Bears, he posted a monster 259 all-purpose yard performance (184 rush, 75 return) along with three total touchdowns (one return, two rushing).
A week later, Ferreira exploded for his second consecutive 200+ yard performance from the field. On 13 rush attempts, the freshman back broke loose for 247 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught an 18-yard pass, totaling 265 yards of offense on the day, which set a new program single-game record.
Ferreira secured AP D3 Rookie of the Year honors after he was named a D3football.com All-Region I Third Teamer, the Conference of New England (CNE) Rookie of the Year, All-CNE Second Team, 4x CNE Rookie of the Week (10/6/25, 10/20/25, 10/27/25, 11/17/25), and one-time CNE Offensive Player of the Week (10/28/25) this season.
YEAR IN REVIEW
Endicott captured its fifth straight Conference of New England (CNE) championship, tied for the longest streak in league history, and earned the program's first-ever bye into the NCAA Tournament.
The Gulls finished the season 9-2 overall (7-0 CNE) after falling to No. 9/12 Salisbury in the second round.
Prior to the NCAA Tournament, Endicott was ranked No. 24 in the final regular season American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top-25 poll, marking the fourth straight year the Gulls have been nationally ranked headed into postseason play.
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(Photo Credit - Kaeli Talora '25)