Impact on the Future: Dean College Football Seniors

Dean College Football Seniors from left to right: Denzy Suazo, Benjamin Costa, Dempsey Brady, Jerney Price, Jacob Hall, Fontabian Donalson, Christian Donalson, Corey Leverette and Zayvion Stanley on Senior Day. Photo Courtesy: Harrison Soep

With only 2 weeks left in the Dean College Football season, there are 9 players on this year’s roster that will soon be playing their final games as Bulldogs. These players are:

1. Dempsey Brady – OL/TE

2. Benjamin Costa - TE

3. Christian Donalson - DL

4. Fontabian Donalson - DB

5. Jacob Hall - DL

6. Corey Leverette - DL

7. Jerney Price - DL

8. Denzy Suazo – DB

9. Zayvion Stanley - LB

A massive culture shock hit these players this year as the Dean Football Program introduced an entirely new coaching staff and scheme. Coach Bakanowsky took over as Head Coach this season and strives to change the culture, and in his introductory statement at the beginning of this year said, “I'm excited to build a culture here for our football players that is second to none. This upcoming chapter of Dean Football is going to be something special!"

Dempsey Brady and Corey Leverette spoke on the culture change and the motivation of playing under a new coach.

Dempsey said, "Having a new head coach was a mixed bag for me. It’s always an adjustment buying into a new culture, and as a senior especially. It was a growing experience but I’m happy it happened. I can’t think of a coach I’ve had better than Bak. He’s a genius, it’s only a matter of time before nobody has an answer for this offense."

Corey added, "It was definitely weird at first, but wanting to improve the program as much as the coaches did make it easier to get used to them as new coaches.

A task given to these seniors was to help have the team buy in to this new scheme and culture. When asked about being a mentor to the younger players, Corey mentioned, "By consistently putting in max effort and trying to keep everything positive in any situation."

Dempsey said, "I hope I was able to motivate the young guys to not quit. When things go wrong it’s easy to turn on each other and losing can become a cancer. I want to motivate people to change that narrative. With the talent we have, no matter what those guys should feel like they are in the game."

The biggest question asked was in regard to how they want to rub off on the culture for future teams. This was asked along the lines of, how can their impact in their time at Dean help to have an impact on those currently on the team and those who want to join the team in the future.

Dempsey stated, "The impact I hope to leave here is one of loyalty. Ever since I got here the one consistent issue was one thing, transfers. I love Dean and I love my teammates; the people I’ve met and played with here are some of the most incredible humans I’ve ever encountered. I want the guys following in my steps to have the same experience, while a bulldog."

Corey also added he has focused on "setting an example of hard and discipline on the field and being a good person off the field."

With the season coming to an end with the finale on Saturday November 15, 2025, at Anna Maria College, Dempsey and Corey hope to leave a long-lasting impact on the Dean College Football program and those who play within the program.