Senior defensive lineman Zach Howard became Northwest Missouri State University's second three-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® selection in football by earning second-team status this season.
 
Howard (Bolivar, Mo.) has a 3.60 GPA in physical education. He joins Trevor Adams as the only pair of three-time Academic All-America® picks in program history. Howard is among eight Bearcats to have captured multiple Academic All-America® honors. Howard is one of four NCAA Division II players this season to have earned three Academic All-America® selections in their careers joining Ashland offensive lineman Gavin Posey, Tusculum punter Andrew Cantrell and Augustana defensive back Eli Weber.
 
In 2022, Howard started all 13 games and racked up 11.5 sacks to go along with 16 tackles-for-loss. Howard totaled 52 tackles (41 solos) as a member of a stifling Bearcat defense. Howard had four games of multiple sacks including the home opener this season against Fort Hays State that saw him register three sacks and unleash his patented "Truffle Shuffle" celebration. Howard was named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week following Northwest's 33-19 win over the Tigers.
 
Howard was a part of a Bearcat defensive unit that ranked No. 3 in the nation in fewest rushing yards allowed per game (64.2). The Bearcat defense ranked No. 12 in the country in points allowed per game (16.1). Northwest's defense ranked No. 8 in the nation in sacks per game (3.54).
 
Howard secured first-team all-MIAA for the second time in his collegiate career this season. He gained second-team D2CCA Super Region 3 honors in 2022. Howard ranks third in Bearcat annals with 29.5 quarterback sacks. He completed his days as a Bearcat tied for fourth all-time in tackles-for-loss (44.5).
 
The Division II Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist College Sports Communicators with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2022-23 Division II Academic All-America® program.
 
Bearcat football has captured 24 Academic All-America® picks in school history.
 
Northwest Football's All-Time Academic All-America Selections
Chip Gregory, LB - 1981 (First Team)
Josh Lamberson, QB - 2004 (First Team)
Troy Tysdahl, LB - 2004 (First Team)
Josh Lamberson, QB - 2005 (First Team)
Myles Burnsides, DB - 2008 (Second Team)
Myles Burnsides, DB - 2009 (First Team)
Sean Paddock, DL - 2009 (Second Team)
Jake Soy, WR - 2010 (Second Team)
Trevor Adams, QB - 2011 (Second Team)
Trevor Adams, QB - 2012 (Second Team)
Nate DeJong, DB - 2012 (Second Team)
Trevor Adams, QB - 2013 (First Team)
Eric Reimer, LB - 2013 (Second Team)
Eric Reimer, LB - 2014 (First Team)
Kyle Zimmerman, QB - 2016 (First Team)
Marqus Andrews, TE - 2018 (First Team)
Ryan Spelhaug, OL - 2018 (First Team)
Marqus Andrews, TE - 2019 (Second Team)
Ryan Spelhaug, OL - 2019 (First Team)
Jackson Barnes, LB - 2020-21 (Second Team)
Zach Howard, DT - 2020-21 (Second Team)
Jackson Barnes, LB - 2021 (First Team)
Zach Howard, DT - 2021 (Second Team)
Zach Howard, DT - 2022 (Second Team)