RICHMOND, Va. – Emory & Henry University junior defensive lineman Ean Rhea (Glade Spring, Va.) has added another award for his performance during the 2025 season. The Touchdown Club of Richmond announced its small college awards for the 2025 football season with Rhea being selected as Defensive Lineman of the Year.

RELATED – Touchdown Club of Richmond Release

The Patrick Henry High School product adds state position player of the year honors to his All-South Atlantic Conference First Team, SAC Defensive Player of the Year and D2CCA All-Super Region II First-Team accolades. 

Rhea led the SAC and was tied for fifth in the nation with 12 sacks. He also registered 50 tackles, 17.5 for loss, and forced a trio of fumbles. Rhea registered at least .5 sacks in nine separate games, including three in a 42-13 victory over Anderson (S.C.) University. Rhea had seven tackles, three sacks for 15 yards lost, 3.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble against the Trojans, leading to him being awarded SAC Defensive Player of the Week and NCAA.com Division II Football National Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.

The Touchdown Club of Richmond is a 501(c)(3), sports-social organization, based in Richmond, Virginia. The club promotes the best interests of the American game of football and sports in general, with the predominant purpose being to recognize worthy athletes for their accomplishments.

The club's membership compiles a ballot from all the football-playing colleges and universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The ballot is then distributed to the club's membership for voting to determine the annual award winners.

---E&H---