The Northwest Missouri State University football program had eight Bearcats gain Academic All-District honors as selected by College Sports Communicators.
 
Shane Fredrickson, Luke Mathews, Kaleb McCullough, Wes Merriman, Clayton Power, Chris Ruhnke, Andew Waltke and Holden Zigmant each gained spots on the academic all-district team announced today. Fredrickson, McCullough and Power will each advance to the national ballot to receive consideration for Academic All-America status.
 
Fredrickson (Lee's Summit, Mo.) had a 4.00 GPA as he worked toward a master's degree in business analytics. He was a first-team all-MIAA pick at defensive back. He gained MIAA academic honors as an MIAA Scholar-Athlete and a spot on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. Fredrickson set the NCAA Div. II record for tackles in a game with 31 stops vs. Harding in an NCAA first-round playoff game in Searcy, Ark. He ranked second on the team with 83 tackles. He tallied a team-high 55 solo stops.
 
Mathews (Liberty, Mo.) had a 3.58 GPA in writing. Mathews was a second-team all-MIAA selection at wide receiver. He was an MIAA Scholar-Athlete and was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. He led the team with 39 receptions. He accumulated a team-high 465 receiving yards. Mathews scored a team-leading seven receiving touchdowns. He had a two-touchdown, 108-yard receiving performance in a 49-32 win at Central Missouri.
 
McCullough (Humboldt, Iowa) had a 3.77 GPA in agricultural business. McCullough was a second-team all-America honoree by D2Football.com, AFCA and Don Hansen. He was a first-team all-MIAA pick on the offensive line. He was a second-team D2CCA all-region pick. McCullough gained MIAA Scholar-Athlete status and was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. He started all 12 games at left tackle. The Bearcat offensive line unit allowed the fewest sacks (15) in the MIAA in 2025. The Bearcats led the MIAA in total touchdowns scored (53), rushing touchdowns (32) and rushing offense (243.1 yards/game).
 
Merriman (Monett, Mo.) had a 3.71 GPA as he worked toward a master's degree. Merriman was an honorable mention all-America honoree by Don Hansen. He was a first-team all-MIAA pick on the offensive line. He was a second-team D2CCA all-region selection. He gained MIAA Scholar-Athlete status and was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. Merriman started all 12 games at center. The Bearcat offensive line unit allowed the fewest sacks (15) in the MIAA in 2025. The Bearcats led the MIAA in total touchdowns scored (53), rushing touchdowns (32) and rushing offense (243.1 yards/game).
 
Power (Stilwell, Kan.) had a 3.89 GPA in business management. Power was the 2025 MIAA Defensive Lineman of the Year. Power was a first-team AFCA all-America choice on the defensive line. He was a second-team all-America selection from D2CCA, Associated Press and Don Hansen. He gained first-team all-MIAA honors and was a first-team D2CCA Super Region 4 honoree. He gained MIAA Scholar-Athlete status and was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. Power ranked second in the MIAA in quarterback sacks (7.5). Power tied for No. 7 in the MIAA in tackles-for-loss (10.0). Power started all 12 games and registered 40 total tackles. He tied for the team lead in interceptions (2).
 
Ruhnke (Platte City, Mo.) had a 4.00 GPA as he worked toward a master's degree in finance. Ruhnke captured the MIAA Academic Excellence Award along with MIAA Scholar-Athlete and MIAA Academic Honor Roll status. He played in all 12 games and made 10 starts at quarterback. He led the squad in completions (148), passing yards (1,692) and touchdowns passes (14).
 
Waltke (Bennet, Neb.) had a 3.72 GPA in business management. Waltke was an honorable mention all-MIAA selection at tight end. He gained MIAA Schoar-Athlete status and was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. He played in 11 games and made nine starts at tight end. On the season, he totaled eight receptions for 118 yards with one receiving touchdown. He had a season-high 49 receiving yards and a touchdown against Texas A&M-Kingsville. He recorded a 44-yard reception in Northwest's 21-14 victory at Missouri Southern.
 
Zigmant (Shawnee, Kan.) had a 3.91 GPA in business management. Zigmant was an honorable mention all-MIAA pick at defensive back. He was an MIAA Scholar-Athlete and was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. He started all 12 games at safety. He totaled 53 tackles, including 34 solo and 19 assisted. He forced a fumble and achieved a season-high 10 tackles at Harding (Nov. 22).

The 2025 Academic All-District® Football teams, selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC), recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes football honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.
 
Academic All-District® honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. Student-athletes selected as CSC Academic All-America® finalists are denoted with an asterisk (Shane Fredrickson, Kaleb McCullough and Clayton Power) and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced Jan. 27, 2026.
 
The Division II and III CSC Academic All-America® programs are financially supported in part by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 Divisions II and III Academic All-America® programs. The NAIA CSC Academic All-America® program is financially supported in part through the NAIA governance structure.