National Championship Teams
2022 National Champions
The 2022 Iowa Western Football Team set the standard for defensive dominance and cemented its place as one of the most complete defensive units in junior college football history. Led by one of the most dominant defensive fronts ever assembled, the Reivers captured a National Championship behind what many consider the most dominant defense in NJCAA history.
That 2022 defense led the entire National Junior College Athletic Association in sacks with 58, while also leading all of junior college football in rushing defense, allowing an astonishing 40.9 yards per game. Week after week, opponents struggled to run the football, protect the quarterback, or handle the relentless pressure coming from the #DLineU front.
Under the leadership of Aaron Terry, the defensive line unit developed into one of the most talented groups in junior college football history, producing 10 Division I defensive linemen, including 3 Power 4 players and 2 future NFL Draft picks.
That historic unit included:
Quientrail 'Bobby' Jamison-Travis → Auburn University
His journey came full circle in the 2026 NFL Draft, when Bobby was selected in the 6th Round (#186 overall) by the New York Giants.
Anterio Thomson → University of Washington
His hard work, toughness, and relentless commitment to the details paid off in the 2026 NFL Draft, when Anterio was selected in the 6th Round (#208 overall) by the Atlanta Falcons.
Jackson Filer → University of Iowa
Marcel Reed → Western Michigan University
Jacob Ferguson → Georgia Southern University
Jayleen Pettus → University of South Florida
Ike Ugo → Central Michigan University
Nate Hale → Ohio University
Isaiah Green → Western Michigan University
Elijah Elmore → University of North Alabama
2023 National Champions
The 2023 Iowa Western Football Team proved that dominance wasn’t tied to one roster—it was tied to a standard. Coming off one of the greatest defensive seasons in junior college football history, the Reivers entered 2023 with a completely new team, but the identity never changed.
The 2023 Reivers once again established themselves as the most dominant defensive front in junior college football, helping power Iowa Western Community College to back-to-back National Championships.
The defense once again led the National Junior College Athletic Association in sacks with 62, while finishing 2nd nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 71.2 yards per game. Opponents knew what was coming—and still couldn’t stop it.
This #DLineU unit developed 10 Division I defensive linemen, with four players currently competing at the Power 4 level, proving once again that development is the foundation of the program.
That historic 2023 unit included:
Clev Lubin → University of Louisville
Now regarded as one of the top pass rushers in college football and an early high-level NFL prospect for the 2027 draft.
Kemari Copeland → Virginia Tech University
One of the top interior defensive linemen in the country and widely viewed as one of the top returning defensive tackles in college football heading into 2027 draft conversations.
Joe Hjelle → Indiana University
Dominic Wiseman → University of Kentucky
Jayleen Pettus → University of South Florida
CK Kaba → Troy University
Nate Hale → Ohio University
Cam Done → Florida Atlantic University
Walt Grey → Coastal Carolina University
Brody Targgart → South Dakota State University
2025 National Champions
The 2025 Iowa Western Football Team didn’t just continue the tradition of defensive excellence—they raised the standard and rewrote the record books.
The 2025 Reivers produced one of the most dominant defensive seasons in college football history, powering Iowa Western Community College to its 4th National Championship.
This defensive front didn’t just dominate junior college football—they dominated all of college football.
The 2025 Reivers led the country in sacks with a school-record 74 sacks, setting a new standard for pass rush production, while finishing Top 5 nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 96.7 rushing yards per game. Opposing offenses had no answers for the speed, power, violence, and depth of this #DLineU front.
This unit developed 6 Division I defensive linemen, continuing the legacy of one of the premier defensive line development programs in the country.
That championship group included:
Andy Burburija → Clemson University
Jeremy Lewis → Purdue University
Blake Hawkins → Iowa State University
Jaxon Cherry → Central Michigan University
BJ Campbell → Old Dominion University
Ephraim Deese → University of West Florida
