NDSU linebackers Jackson Hankey and James Kaczor are among 54 student-athletes named to the 23rd annual Academic All-Star Team, announced by the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association.

The 54 honorees were selected from a pool of more than 105 applicants. Leading the way was the Missouri Valley Football Conference, which placed nine student-athletes on the 2020-21 Academic All-Star Team. The MVFC was followed closely by the Colonial Athletic Association and the Big Sky Conference.

“I would like to congratulate the young men who were selected for the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team, this is a remarkable honor,” said FCS ADA president Ashley Robinson, who is vice president and director of athletics at Jackson State University. “With the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes to daily routines, I applaud this team for staying the course, remaining focused and excelling in the classroom and on the field of competition.”

Football players from all FCS institutions are eligible for the award. Each of the nominees were required to have a minimum grade-point average of 3.20 in undergraduate study and have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletics credentials. They must have reached their second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. They also must have participated in 50 percent of the games played at their designated position.

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