Team Earns Multiple National Honors
The Oklahoma School for the Deaf made history once again, raking in top honors from the National Deaf Interscholastic Athletic Association (NDIAA), it was announced on January 9, 2026.
The Bison were named the Division II National Championship team for the third consecutive season after finishing the 2025 campaign with a 5–3 record. The title run included a dominant 59–12 victory over longtime rival Arkansas, underscoring OSD’s continued rise as a national powerhouse in deaf high school football.
Head coach Sean Thomas Sledd was also recognized for his leadership, earning NDIAA Coach of the Year honors for the second straight year. While this award recognizes Sledd, he is the first to say it belongs to his entire coaching staff. This season was built on teamwork, dedication, and the commitment of his outstanding assistant coaches who made it all possible.
Four Bison players were named NDIAA Division 2, 6/8-Man Football All-Americans for their standout performances. Russell Fewel and Justin Kale earned first-team selections, while Tucker McDaniel and Vaydin Riley were named to the second team.
Fewel collected his second careerAll-American honor after another remarkable season. The senior quarterback passed for 1,179 yards and 26 touchdowns with just two interceptions and added 455 yards rushing. Fewel was equally impactful on defense, leading the team with 95 tackles and eight sacks while forcing three fumbles, recovering three, and anchoring the Bison defense.
Kale proved to be one of the most versatile players in the nation. The team’s leading rusher, he totaled 714 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, averaging an impressive 13.7 yards per carry. He also caught 20 passes for 198 yards and eight more touchdowns. Defensively, Kale recorded 76 tackles, ten tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, three recoveries, and an interception.
McDaniel delivered a strong senior season, finishing with 69 tackles, including 24 tackles for loss, four sacks, and three forced fumbles. On offense, he contributed 109 rushing yards and two touchdowns, along with six receptions for 113 yards and a score.
Riley rounded out the All-American selections with a disruptive defensive campaign. He finished second on the team with six sacks, added three quarterback pressures, and recorded 44 tackles, 14 for loss. Riley also forced two fumbles, recovered three, and made specialteams plays by blocking both a punt and a field goal.
The Bison’s 2025 victories came against Arkansas, Alabama, California, Billings, and Washington, further highlighting the program’s national reach and competitiveness.
With a third straight national championship and a collection of individual accolades, the Oklahoma School for the Deaf Bison continues to set the standard for excellence in deaf interscholastic athletics.
