SAN ANTONIO — UTSA's Lucas Dean, Hunter Duplessis and Ahofitu Maka have been named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District® VII First Team.
Duplessis and Maka are repeat honorees, as both made the all-district team last year. Dean joins that duo as part of 30 student-athletes from the states of Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas voted by CoSIDA members to this year's first team. They will advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® ballot. First- and second-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced on Dec. 15.
Dean boasts a 3.9 GPA as an economics major. A native of Dunsborough, Australia, he is a two-time Conference USA Academic Medal recipient and a three-time UTSA President's List honoree for a 4.0 semester GPA, and he has landed on the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll twice.
On the field, Dean earned second-team All-America and C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year accolades in 2020 after shattering the school's single-season punting average record with a 46.0 mark. This season, he has averaged 44.4 yards on 33 punts with 14 pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line. A Ray Guy Award watch list member, he has six punts of 50-plus yards including a season-long 63-yarder in the 31-28 comeback win at Memphis.
Duplessis carries a 4.0 GPA as an MBA student focusing on technology management after graduating in May 2020 with a 3.78 GPA as a double major in cyber security and information systems. The 2020-21 C-USA Football Scholar Athlete of the Year and C-USA All-Academic Team selection is a five-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member, a four-time UTSA President's List honoree and a C-USA Academic Medal recipient.
An honorable mention All-American and first-team all-conference performer in 2020, Duplessis has developed into one of the most dependable kickers in C-USA. A three-time C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week honoree, he has made 18 of 23 field goals and a school-record 47 extra points this season. The San Antonio Cole High School graduate has drilled three field goals in a game three times this fall, including in the 44-23 roads triumph over UTEP where he split the uprights from a career-long distance of 51 yards. He also kicked the game-winning 42-yard field goal in the 31-28 comeback win over Memphis.
Maka totes a 3.74 GPA as a cyber security major. A two-time UTSA President's List selection, he has received the C-USA Academic Medal and is a two-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll listee after transferring to UTSA from Independence Community College prior to the 2019 season.
One of the leaders on the UTSA offensive line, Maka earned second-team all-conference accolades in 2020 after helping pave the way for All-America running back Sincere McCormick and an offense that set school records for rushing yards (2,585), rushing yards per game (215.4), yards per rush (5.21) and rushing touchdowns (24). This season, the Honolulu, Hawai'i, native has started all 10 contests at center for an offense that is averaging 38.6 points and 446.2 yards per game. He has yet to allow a sack and has surrendered just two hits on the quarterback according to Pro Football Focus.
The UTSA football program now has five total student-athletes who have received CoSIDA Academic All- District® recognition. This year's selections also give UTSA nine total CoSIDA Academic All- District® certificates in its football history. Nate Leonard earned the last of three straight honors in 2014 and also was named a first-team Academic All-American in 2014 and a second-team honoree in 2013. Eric Soza was a first-team all-district pick in 2013.
The 2021 Academic All-District® Football Team, selected by CoSIDA, recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CoSIDA Academic All-America® program separately recognizes football honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Awarded by CoSIDA to the most accomplished student-athletes for academic and athletic achievement each year since 1952, the CoSIDA Academic All-America® program is the longest-running and most prestigious academic and athletic award program for student-athletes. All nominees must have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or better and be a starter or important reserve.
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