By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With the 2024 campaign in the books, the Football Championship Subdivision Athletic Directors Association announced its 54-man Academic All-Star Team on Tuesday. Tennessee Tech was among the schools with a player on the roster as tight end Hunter Barnhart was selected to the team.
Barnhart, a graduate with a 3.84 grade point average, finished the season with six catches for 65 yards and a touchdown, playing in all 12 games in the 2024 campaign. It is his second selection to the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team.
The Oneida native finished his Tech career with 704 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
"These exceptional young men demonstrate excellence not only in their academic pursuits, but also through their dedication on the field," said FCS ADA president Mark Benson, the Director of Athletics at the University of Albany. "Annually, we have the privilege of reviewing and selecting remarkable leaders who represent the best of our division, and this year's candidates have continued the tradition. Congratulations to all the nominated student-athletes and to those selected."
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 3.2 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate or graduate 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.
The Pioneer Football League had the most selections among the list of 54 with eight, while the United Athletic Conference had seven. The Ivy League, Missouri Valley Football Conference and the Ohio Valley Conference each had six representatives.
Joining Barnhart from the Ohio Valley Conference were wide receiver Karate Brenson (Tennessee State), quarterback Paxton DeLaurent (Southeast Missouri), tight end Abe Haerr (Lindenwood), offensive lineman Ryan Merklinger (Western Illinois) and linebacker Tevin Shipp (UT Martin). Gardner-Webb tight end Cole Hoskyns was the lone Big South representative on the other side of the association.
