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2025-26 Academic All-America® Teams and Honorees
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Horvath, Strand, Ballentine and Myers highlight 2025 Academic All-America® Football teams
Four talented student-athletes lead 2025 Football Academic All-America® teams
Football Release (NCAA, NAIA Divisions): PDF | doc
GREENWOOD, Indiana – Four individuals headline a group of outstanding student-athletes named to the 2025 Academic All-America® football teams as selected by the College Sports Communicators
.
Quarterback
Blake Horvath from the U.S. Naval Academy, quarterback
Jack Strand from Minnesota State University Moorhead, wide receiver
Robby Ballentine from DePauw University and defensive lineman
Zach Myers from Evangel University were named as the Academic All-America® Team Members of the Year for NCAA Divisions I, II and III, and NAIA, respectively.
All four CSC Academic All-American Team Members of the Year will be featured at the annual Maxwell Awards Gala March 14 at the Coca-Cola Roxy concert venue located in The Battery Atlanta.
NCAA Division I
Blake Horvath, who has a 3.69 cumulative grade-point average as an operations research major, led Navy to a program-best 11-2 record, the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy, a bowl win and the Lambert Trophy, which is presented to the best team in the East in FBS college football. The dual-threat quarterback totaled 1,200 rushing yards, which were second-most among FBS quarterbacks, and 16 rushing touchdowns to go along with 1,580 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air. The Hilliard, Ohio, native became the first Navy quarterback to rush and pass for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons and the third to surpass 1,200 yards passing and rushing in a single year. Off the field, Horvath was a finalist for the National Football Foundation’s William V. Campbell Trophy® and earned an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. He was awarded the Maxwell Football Club’s inaugural Military Service Academy Leadership Award, which honors a player from one of the United States Military Service Academies who exemplifies exceptional leadership both on the football field and within their academy community.
Fourteen members of the Academic All-America® Division I football teams boast a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate or graduate work. The 25 members on the first team have an average GPA of 3.83, with the entire 50-man list holding a collective average GPA of 3.81.
Two student-athletes –
Kobe Clayborne (South Dakota State University) and
Tanner Wall (BYU) – are repeat selections on the Academic All-America® Division I football teams, while
Hunter Peck (University of Montana) was named to the Academic All-America® NAIA first team from Carroll College in 2024.
| FIRST TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| QB |
Blake Horvath |
U.S. Naval Academy |
Sr. |
3.69 |
Operations Research |
| WR |
Duce Robinson |
Florida State University |
Jr. |
3.82 |
Social Science |
| WR |
Carnell Tate |
Ohio State University |
Jr. |
3.50 |
Sports Industry |
| WR |
Bryce Lance |
North Dakota State University |
Sr. |
3.78/3.87 |
Marketing (U) / Business Administration (G) |
| RB |
Jonah Coleman |
University of Washington |
Sr. |
3.93 |
Education Studies: Sports & Education |
| TE |
Boden Groen |
University of Kansas |
Gr. |
4.00/4.00 |
Business Administration |
| OL |
Titan Fleischmann |
Montana State University |
Jr. |
3.81/4.00 |
Political Science (U) / Exercise & Nutrition Science (G) |
| OL |
Kadyn Proctor |
University of Alabama |
Jr. |
3.76 |
Sport Management |
| OL |
Dillon Botner |
University of Montana |
Gr. |
3.70/3.70 |
Biochemistry, Biology, & Neuroscience |
| OL |
James Brockermeyer |
University of Miami (FL) |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Exploratory Arts & Sciences |
| OL |
Connor McLaughlin |
University of South Florida |
Gr. |
3.78/4.00 |
Civil Engineering |
| DB |
Dillon Thieneman |
Oregon |
Jr. |
3.95 |
Business Administration |
| DB |
Tanner Wall (1) |
BYU |
Sr. |
3.82/4.00 |
Finance (U) / Business Administration (G) |
| DB |
Robert Fitzgerald |
Northwestern University |
Jr. |
3.76 |
Learning & Organizational Change |
| DB |
Ty Bryant |
University of Kentucky |
Jr. |
3.77 |
Communication |
| DL |
Kobe Clayborne (2) |
South Dakota State University |
Sr. |
4.00/4.00 |
Economics |
| DL |
Jordan van den Berg |
Georgia Tech |
Gr. |
3.78/3.57 |
International Affairs, Science & Technology |
| DL |
Akheem Mesidor |
University of Miami (FL) |
Gr. |
3.71 |
Liberal Studies |
| DL |
James Reinbold |
Cornell University |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Government & Performing & Media Arts |
| LB |
Keyshaun Elliott |
Arizona State University |
Sr. |
3.91 |
Liberal Studies |
| LB |
Jaxton Eck |
University of New Mexico |
Jr. |
3.90 |
Liberal Arts & Integrative Studies |
| LB |
John Perdue |
Brown University |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Computer Science & Economics |
| K |
Kansei Matsuzawa |
University of Hawai'i |
Sr. |
3.68 |
Interdisciplinary Studies |
| P |
Alec Clark |
Tulane University |
So. |
4.00 |
Economics |
| ST |
Mark Langston |
Indiana University |
Gr. |
3.72/3.60 |
Business Administration (G) |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| QB |
Parker Navarro |
Ohio University |
Gr. |
3.96/3.97 |
Management (G) |
| WR |
Keagan Johnson |
University of New Mexico |
Sr. |
3.94 |
Liberal Arts & Integrative Studies |
| WR |
Jacob De Jesus |
California |
Sr. |
3.67 |
Business Marketing |
| WR |
Hank Beatty |
University of Illinois |
Sr. |
3.87 |
Marketing |
| RB |
Mark Fletcher |
University of Miami (FL) |
Jr. |
3.53 |
Sport Administration |
| TE |
Sage Ennis |
University of Virginia |
Gr. |
3.88/3.92 |
Leadership Certificate |
| OL |
Konstantin Spörk |
Dartmouth College |
Sr. |
3.74 |
Engineering |
| OL |
Xavier Jennings |
Mercer University |
Gr. |
3.78/3.83 |
Business Administration (G) |
| OL |
Markel Bell |
University of Miami (FL) |
Sr. |
3.78 |
American Studies |
| OL |
Gennings Dunker |
University of Iowa |
Sr. |
3.59 |
Human Physiology |
| OL |
Jeremy Perkins |
Southern Utah University |
Jr. |
3.94 |
Mathematics Education |
| DB |
Brice Pollock |
Texas Tech |
Jr. |
3.71 |
Leadership Studies |
| DB |
Dylan Rowsey |
Murray State University |
Jr. |
4.00 |
Agricultural Business |
| DB |
Bray Hubbard |
University of Alabama |
Jr. |
3.53 |
Sport Management |
| DB |
Maximus Pulley |
Wofford College |
Sr. |
3.64 |
Sociology & Anthropology |
| DL |
Edward Vesterinen |
West Virginia University |
Gr. |
3.72/4.00 |
Business (U) / Sport Management (G) |
| DL |
Hunter Peck (^) |
University of Montana |
Gr. |
3.70/3.70 |
Biology (U) / Business (G) |
| DL |
Kenneth Eiden IV |
Montana State University |
Sr. |
3.53 |
Accounting |
| DL |
Emmanuel Oyebadejo |
Jacksonville State |
Jr. |
3.82 |
Professional Biology |
| LB |
Sammy Brown |
Clemson University |
So. |
3.98 |
Biological Sciences |
| LB |
Shane Hartzell |
Villanova University |
Gr. |
3.89 |
Public Administration (G) |
| LB |
Koby-Sebasyen King |
East Texas A&M University |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Business Administration |
| K |
Nate Reed |
University of Delaware |
Gr. |
4.00/4.00 |
Statistics |
| P |
Max Pelham |
South Dakota State University |
Sr. |
3.64 |
Civil Engineering |
| ST |
David Neuberger |
University of North Dakota |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Kinesiology |
(1) – Academic All-America® first-team selection in 2024
(2) – Academic All-America® second-team selection in 2023
(^) – Academic All-America® first-team selection in 2024 (NAIA)
NCAA Division II
Jack Strand, who has a 3.87 GPA as an engineering physics major, led Division II this fall in completions per game (27.55), passing touchdowns (42) and points responsible for (286), and was second in passing yards per game (322.4) and total offense (348.5 ypg). He was also fifth in passing yards (3,546) and directed the Dragons to an 8-3 record this fall. The Bloomer, Wisconsin, native was named an All-American by three different entities and was selected as the D2CCA Region 3 and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Offensive Player of the Year for the second time. He was a finalist for both the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is awarded to Division II’s most valuable player, and the NFF’s Campbell Trophy.
Seven members of the Academic All-America® Division II football teams boast a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate or graduate work. The 23 members on the first team have an average GPA of 3.79, with the entire 45-man team holding a collective average GPA of 3.80.
Fifteen other student-athletes join Strand as repeat selections on the Academic All-America® Division II football teams:
Kash Bradley (Colorado Mesa University);
Ty Dugger (Harding University);
Slade Edwards (Central Washington University);
Michael Henwood (Slippery Rock University);
Braden Jay (Harding University);
Alex Kowalczyk (Wayne State College);
Mitch Middleton (Ferris State University);
Zack Rakowsky (CSU Pueblo);
Freddie Retter (Kutztown University);
Brady Rose (Ferris State University);
Shea Ruddy (Hillsdale College);
Tyler Schultze (Emporia State University);
Josh Shaw (Fort Hays State University);
Brett Weaver (Grand Valley State University); and
Chance Wiening (Western Colorado University).
The Division II Academic All-America® program is financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist the College Sports Communicators with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 Division II Academic All-America® program.
| FIRST TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| QB |
Jack Strand (2) |
Minnesota State Moorhead |
Sr. |
3.87 |
Engineering Physics |
| WR |
Gage Florence |
Minnesota State Moorhead |
Sr. |
3.65 |
Exercise Science |
| WR |
Trek Keyworth |
Colorado Mesa University |
Jr. |
3.79 |
Business Administration |
| WR |
Nic Nora |
Michigan Technological University |
So. |
3.59 |
Exercise Science |
| RB |
Andrew Miller |
Harding University |
Jr. |
3.64 |
Kinesiology |
| TE |
Carson Gulker |
Ferris State University |
Jr. |
3.66 |
Business Administration |
| OL |
Brett Weaver (2) |
Grand Valley State University |
Sr. |
3.85 |
Accounting |
| OL |
Ryne Buttz |
University of Indianapolis |
Sr. |
3.76 |
Exercise Science |
| OL |
Slade Edwards (2) |
Central Washington University |
Sr. |
3.51 |
Mechanical Engineering Technology |
| OL |
Douglas Pruim |
Frostburg State |
Gr. |
3.89/3.66 |
Recreation, Parks, & Sport Management |
| OL |
Gabe Schweitzer |
Delta State |
Gr. |
4.00/4.00 |
Sport & Human Performance |
| DB |
Ty Dugger (*) |
Harding University |
Sr. |
3.92 |
Accounting |
| DB |
Shane Fredrickson |
Northwest Missouri State University |
Sr. |
3.94/4.00 |
Business Management (U) /Business Analytics (G) |
| DB |
Dante Basanese |
Michigan Technological University |
Sr. |
3.81 |
Mechanical Engineering |
| DB |
Michael Henwood (2) |
Slippery Rock University |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Exercise Science |
| DB |
Tyler Schultze (1) |
Emporia State University |
Jr. |
3.99 |
Physics |
| DL |
Freddie Retter (2) |
Kutztown University |
Jr. |
3.92 |
Elementary Education |
| DL |
Clayton Power |
Northwest Missouri State University |
Sr. |
3.89 |
Business Management |
| DL |
Bentley Hart |
Missouri S&T |
Sr. |
3.77 |
History |
| DL |
Michael Harris |
University of Central Missouri |
Sr. |
3.64 |
Management |
| LB |
Landon Boss |
Emporia State University |
Jr. |
3.72 |
Business |
| LB |
Jes Krcil |
Wayne State College |
So. |
3.92 |
Criminal Justice |
| LB |
Brandon Hile |
Kutztown University |
Sr. |
3.58 |
Criminal Justice |
| LB |
Ian Loomis |
Western Colorado University |
Jr. |
3.62 |
Exercise & Sports Science |
| K |
Elijah Guyton |
University of West Alabama |
Sr. |
3.88 |
Business Management |
| P |
Mitch Middleton (2) |
Ferris State University |
Sr. |
3.86 |
Mechanical Engineering Technology |
| ST |
Shea Ruddy (2) |
Hillsdale College |
Jr. |
3.65 |
Biochemistry |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| QB |
Drew Nash |
Western Colorado University |
Sr. |
3.67 |
Exercise & Sports Science |
| WR |
Zack Rakowsky (^) |
CSU Pueblo |
Sr. |
3.62 |
Health Sciences |
| WR |
Brady Rose (&) |
Ferris State University |
Sr. |
3.81 |
Construction Management |
| WR |
Elizjah Lewis |
Pace University |
Gr. |
3.52 |
Political Science |
| RB |
Braden Jay (1) |
Harding University |
Sr. |
3.70 |
Marketing |
| TE |
Eddie Burgess |
Upper Iowa |
Sr. |
3.84/3.84 |
Elementary Education |
| OL |
Josh Shaw (2) |
Fort Hays State University |
Sr. |
3.97 |
Agriculture Business |
| OL |
Connor Andresen |
Upper Iowa |
Gr. |
3.89/4.00 |
Agricultural Business |
| OL |
Carter Stanchfield |
Pittsburg State University |
Sr. |
3.77/4.00 |
Business Administration (G) |
| OL |
Kaleb McCullough |
Northwest Missouri State University |
So. |
3.77 |
Agricultural Business |
| OL |
Chance Wiening (1) |
Western Colorado University |
Gr. |
3.90/3.97 |
Exercise & Sports Science |
| OL |
Cobe Williams |
Harding University |
So. |
3.52 |
Construction Management |
| DB |
Kash Bradley (&) |
Colorado Mesa University |
Sr. |
3.90 |
Exercise Science |
| DB |
Caden Bolte |
Bemidji State University |
Jr. |
3.83 |
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology |
| DB |
Kamble Haverkamp |
Washburn University |
Sr. |
3.81 |
Kinesiology |
| DL |
Jacob Fredericks |
Bentley University |
So. |
3.94 |
Business |
| DL |
Justin Sobczak |
Harding University |
Jr. |
3.65 |
Information Systems |
| DL |
Cooper Brown |
Black Hills State University |
Sr. |
3.72 |
Business Administration & Human Resources |
| DL |
Casey Cobb |
Southern Arkansas University |
Sr. |
3.96 |
Business Administration |
| LB |
Alex Kowalczyk (#) |
Wayne State College |
Gr. |
3.85/4.00 |
Public Accounting & Finance |
| LB |
Brett McCalla |
Central Washington University |
Jr. |
3.95 |
Sport Management |
| LB |
Brock Wiley |
Quincy University |
Jr. |
4.00 |
Biological Science / Pre-Med |
| LB |
Jamieson Alston |
Winston-Salem State University |
Sr. |
3.89 |
Business Administration |
| K |
Caleb Bonesteel |
Wingate University |
Gr. |
3.83/3.90 |
Sport Management (U) / Sport Management (G) |
| P |
Jake Pecina |
Augustana University (SD) |
Jr. |
3.86 |
Mathematics |
| ST |
Austin O'Hara |
Pittsburg State University |
Sr. |
3.90 |
Psychology |
(1) – Academic All-America® first-team selection in 2024
(2) – Academic All-America® second-team selection in 2024
(&) – Academic All-America® first-team selection in 2024 and second-team selection in 2023
(^) – Academic All-America® second-team selection in 2023
(*) – Academic All-America® first-team selection in 2024 and first-team selection in 2023
(#) – Academic All-America® second-team selection in 2022
NCAA Division III
Robby Ballentine, who had a 3.92 GPA as a biochemistry major, ended the 2025 season fourth in Division III in receiving yards (1,314), seventh in receiving touchdowns (16), eighth in receiving yards per game (109.5) and 14th in receptions per game (7.67). He led DePauw (10-2, 7-1 NCAC) to the NCAA third round and was named the 2025 Mike Gregory Award recipient as the North Coast Athletic Conference’s offensive player of the year. Ballentine was also named an All-American by the AFCA, D3football.com and Associated Press, and was a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, which is awarded to Division III’s most outstanding player. The Crown Point, Indiana, native earned an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as the only Division III finalist for the NFF’s Campbell Trophy.
Seven honorees on the Academic All-America® Division III football teams boast a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The 25-man first team has an average GPA of 3.85, with the entire 51-man team combining for a collective 3.82 GPA.
Six student-athletes are repeat selections on the Academic All-America® Division III football teams:
Ballentine;
Caleb Brubaker (Grove City College);
Zach Frank (Saint John’s University);
Jereme Ombogo (North Park University);
Gavin Smith (Central College); and
Dylan Wheeler (Saint John’s University). Another 2025 honoree,
Ethan Burrows (Adrian College), was named to the Academic All-America® NAIA first team from Concordia Ann Arbor in 2024.
The Division III Academic All-America® program is financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structure to assist the College Sports Communicators with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 Division III Academic All-America® program.
| FIRST TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| QB |
Bay Harvey |
Johns Hopkins University |
Sr. |
3.73 |
Economics |
| WR |
Robby Ballentine (1) |
DePauw University |
Sr. |
3.92 |
Biochemistry |
| WR |
Cole Crotty |
Johns Hopkins University |
Jr. |
3.92 |
Economics |
| WR |
Dylan Wheeler (2) |
Saint John's University (Minn.) |
Sr. |
3.64 |
Accounting |
| RB |
Louie Blasiole |
Ohio Northern University |
Sr. |
3.74 |
Computer Engineering |
| TE |
Joey Gendreau |
Saint John's University (Minn.) |
Sr. |
3.56 |
Exercise & Health Science & Global Business Leadership |
| OL |
Caleb Bayer |
Trinity University (Texas) |
Sr. |
3.87 |
Neuroscience |
| OL |
Giovanni Kennedy |
University of Mount Union |
Sr. |
3.62 |
Finance |
| OL |
Quentin Lehman |
Ohio Northern University |
Jr. |
3.91 |
Mechanical Engineering |
| OL |
Owen Denk |
Alma College |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Biochemistry |
| OL |
Jerred Durian |
North Central College |
Sr. |
3.83 |
Mechanical Engineering |
| DB |
Gavin Smith (1) |
Central College |
Sr. |
3.94 |
Accounting & Business Management |
| DB |
Dominic Hess |
MIT |
Jr. |
3.90 |
Mechanical Engineering & Finance |
| DB |
Ethan Burrows (^) |
Adrian College |
Jr. |
3.92 |
Criminal Justice |
| DB |
Osi Chukwuocha |
Case Western Reserve University |
Sr. |
3.84 |
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering |
| DL |
Zach Frank (2) |
Saint John's University (Minn.) |
Sr. |
3.86 |
Accounting |
| DL |
JP Chaney |
Aurora University |
Jr. |
3.87 |
Business Admin., Marketing & Multimedia Comm. |
| DL |
Will Seibert |
Johns Hopkins University |
Jr. |
3.73 |
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering |
| DL |
Joseph Swarm |
Case Western Reserve University |
Sr. |
3.95 |
Computer Engineering |
| LB |
TJ Scannell |
Trinity University (Texas) |
Sr. |
3.82 |
Communication |
| LB |
Bennett Grace |
Carnegie Mellon University |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Mechanical Engineering |
| LB |
Nolan Hartsel |
Baldwin Wallace University |
Jr. |
3.97 |
Accounting & Finance |
| K |
Aidan Ellison |
North Central College |
Sr. |
3.76/3.76 |
Business Administration (G) |
| P |
Josh Castro |
WPI |
Gr. |
4.00/4.00 |
Computer Science (G) |
| ST |
Jereme Ombogo (2) |
North Park University |
Sr. |
3.94/4.00 |
Leadership (G) |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| QB |
Nick Semptimphelter |
John Carroll University |
Gr. |
3.56/3.88 |
Business Administration (G) |
| WR |
Albert Rundell |
Bethel University |
Jr. |
3.81 |
Business Finance |
| WR |
Blake Busson |
Centre College |
Sr. |
3.64 |
Economics, Finance & Business |
| WR |
Grayson Kerscher |
Denison University |
Jr. |
3.62 |
Financial Economics |
| RB |
Drew Miller |
Heidelberg University |
Jr. |
3.95 |
Finance |
| TE |
Clayton Schwalbe |
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Physical Education |
| OL |
David Nussbaum |
Wheaton College (IL) |
Sr. |
3.91 |
Business Economics & Psychology |
| OL |
Charlie Pearson |
Johns Hopkins University |
Sr. |
3.87 |
Public Health & Natural Sciences |
| OL |
Grant Myers |
John Carroll University |
Sr. |
3.82 |
Marketing |
| OL |
Brady Cavan |
Washington University in St. Louis |
Jr. |
3.89 |
Biomedical Engineering |
| OL |
Luke Schumacher |
Coe College |
Sr. |
3.59 |
Accounting & Business Administration |
| DB |
Joseph Bracy |
Wheaton College (IL) |
Sr. |
3.79 |
Business & Economics |
| DB |
Harrison Foster |
Hardin-Simmons University |
Jr. |
3.85 |
Finance |
| DB |
Luke Jackson |
Wittenberg University |
Sr. |
3.88 |
Sport Management |
| DB |
Brock Beaudrie |
Alma College |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Business Management |
| DL |
Tyler Sordillo |
Springfield College |
Jr. |
3.65 |
Exercise Science |
| DL |
Isaac Urquidi |
Johns Hopkins University |
Sr. |
3.54 |
Electrical Engineering |
| DL |
Noah Moris |
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater |
Jr. |
3.91 |
Accounting |
| DL |
Alden Kling |
Pomona-Pitzer |
Jr. |
3.86 |
Physics |
| LB |
Danny Nuccio |
North Central College |
Gr. |
3.72/4.00 |
Business Administration (G) |
| LB |
Matt Conroy |
Shenandoah University |
Sr. |
3.89 |
Biochemistry |
| LB |
Caleb Brubaker (3) |
Grove City College |
Sr. |
3.58 |
Biology |
| LB |
Keenan Tyler |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
3.60 |
Business Administration |
| K |
Justin Scheberl |
University of Wisconsin-River Falls |
Sr. |
3.86 |
Biology |
| P |
Josiah Smith |
Wheaton College (IL) |
Jr. |
3.67 |
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology |
| ST |
Ben DeMeulenaere |
Central College |
Sr. |
3.91 |
Business Management |
(1) – Academic All-America® first-team selection in 2024
(2) – Academic All-America® second-team selection in 2024
(3) – Academic All-America® first-team selection in 2022
(^) – Academic All-America® first-team selection in 2024 (NAIA)
NAIA
Zach Myers, who has a 3.93 GPA as a leadership & ministry major, ended his collegiate career as a consensus All-American, totaling 15 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks to lead the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, of which also named him its Defensive Player of the Year. A native of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Myers earned first-team All-America honors for the first time in his career in 2025 and helped Evangel to a 9-3 record, the KCAC Kessinger Division title and its second NAIA postseason berth in the last three seasons.
Three members of the 25-man Academic All-America® NAIA football teams –
Derek Pearse (Montana Technological University),
Zach Quiring (Dordt University) and
Landon Ruesink (Dakota Wesleyan University) – boast a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate or graduate work. The NAIA honorees combined for a 3.76 GPA.
Four student-athletes are repeat selections on the Academic All-America® NAIA football team:
Reid Messer (Taylor University);
Derek Pearse (Montana Technological University);
Isaac Smith (Indiana Wesleyan University); and
Trystin Voss (Northwestern College).
The NAIA Academic All-America® program is financially supported by the NAIA national governance structure to assist the College Sports Communicators with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 NAIA Academic All-America® program.
| FIRST TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| QB |
Zack Chevalier |
Morningside University |
Sr. |
3.63 |
General Psychology |
| WR |
Isaac Smith (1) |
Indiana Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
3.58 |
Nursing |
| WR |
Eli Nourse |
University of Montana Western |
Jr. |
3.76 |
Business |
| WR |
Levi Torgerson |
Montana Technological University |
Sr. |
3.58 |
Exercise & Health Science |
| RB |
D'Heaven Domena |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
3.72 |
Accounting |
| TE |
Derek Pearse (1) |
Montana Technological University |
Gr. |
3.91/4.00 |
General Engineering |
| OL |
Reece Byerly |
Marian University |
So. |
3.63 |
Management |
| OL |
Logan Penhollow |
Indiana Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
3.51 |
Business Administration |
| OL |
Brevin Damrow |
Concordia University, Nebraska |
Sr. |
3.65 |
Secondary Education |
| OL |
Wyatt Sandford |
Carroll College (MT) |
Sr. |
3.79 |
Marketing & Management |
| OL |
Cole Herman |
Friends University |
Sr. |
3.69/3.80 |
Business Administration |
| DB |
Jaren Foster |
Evangel University |
Gr. |
3.66/3.92 |
Organizational Leadership |
| DB |
Landon Ruesink |
Dakota Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Accounting |
| DB |
JT Downey |
Marian University |
Sr. |
3.88 |
Marketing |
| DB |
Reid Messer (1) |
Taylor University |
Jr. |
3.86 |
Accounting |
| DL |
Zach Myers |
Evangel University |
Gr. |
3.93 |
Leadership & Ministry |
| DL |
Trystin Voss (1) |
Northwestern College |
Sr. |
3.99 |
Actuarial Science |
| DL |
Thomas Ibrahim |
Southeastern University |
Gr. |
3.67/3.66 |
Leadership (G) |
| DL |
Zach Quiring |
Dordt University |
Jr. |
4.00 |
Agri-Business |
| LB |
Tel Arthur |
Montana Technological University |
Sr. |
3.62 |
Business |
| LB |
Isaac Kacmarynski |
Dordt University |
Jr. |
3.98 |
Education |
| LB |
Jace Fitzgerald |
University of Montana Western |
Sr. |
3.95 |
Business |
| K |
Casey Kautzman |
Montana Technological University |
Jr. |
3.67 |
Civil Engineering |
| P |
Job Matossian |
University of the Cumberlands |
Sr. |
3.67 |
Business Administration |
| ST |
Jacob Westberry |
University of Montana Western |
So. |
3.59 |
Health & Human Performance |
(1) – Academic All-America® first-team selection in 2024
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Michael MacEachern, Georgia College & State University | Academic All-America ® Co-Director for Publicity
michael.maceachern@gcsu.edu | (478) 445-1779
Ryan Klinkner, Saint John’s University (Minn.) | Academic All-America® Coordinator of Publicity
rklinkner@csbsju.edu | (320) 363-3127