The ACU football team was honored with multiple spots on the 2024 Academic All-District Team, announced by College Sports Communicators on Tuesday.
Junior
Hugo Nash, seniors
Justin Duff and
Grant Nickel, and graduate student
Ritse Vaes each earned the prestigious honor which recognizes collegiate student-athletes who excel on the court and in the classroom.
Each of the four has also advanced for consideration to the Academic All-America Team which will be released on Jan. 28.
Justin Duff - Long Snapper (San Pablo, CA)
- Sociology major, 3.50 GPA
- Started all 14 games as long snapper on punt team
Hugo Nash - Punter (Melbourne, Australia)
- Management major, 3.52 GPA
- Started all 14 games as holder on placekicks
- Punted once at Northern Colorado
Grant Nickel - Punter (Spring, TX)
- Criminal Justice major, 3.72 GPA
- Recorded 55 punts with a 41.5 yards per punt average and a long of 56 yards
- Finished with 11 punts inside the 20-yard line
- 2023 All-United Athletic Conference
- 2024 Preseason All-United Athletic Conference
Ritse Vaes - Kicker (Wichita Falls, TX)
- Strength, Conditioning & Human Performance graduate student, 3.76 GPA
- Started all 14 games as placekicker
- Made 14-of-20 field goals with a long of 54 yards
- Converted 55-of-56 PAT
- Named United Athletic Conference Specialist of the Week for 54-yard, game-winning field goal on final snap at Northern Colorado
- Placed 2nd in ACU history with 14 field goals made in a single season, 4th with 55 PAT made and 4th in kicking points with 97
- Just the fourth ACU kicker to make multiple 50+ yard field goals in the same season
- 2024 Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America
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