JONESBORO, Ark. (1/2/25) – The College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced Tuesday that four Arkansas State football student-athletes were named to the 2024 NCAA Division I Football Academic All-District Team.

Jacob Bayer, Jack Bullard, Reed Linder and Zak Wallace were recognized for their combined efforts on the field and in the classroom. A-State's four Academic All-District recipients are a program record topping the previous high of three last season.

The Academic All-District Division I Football Team recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.50 GPA or higher and be a starter or key reserve athletically, appearing in 90 percent of games or starting in at least 66 percent of games.
 
Bayer boasts a 3.80 GPA as a sociology major and finished the season ranked second nationally by Pro Football Focus (PFF) among centers with an offense grade of 80.9. Returning from an ACL injury suffered in April, Bayer started the final 12 games of the season and helped A-State rush for 156.9 yards per game, most since the 2018 season.

Bullard, who owns a 3.75 GPA in the nutrition and dietetics graduate program, was an honorable mention all-conference pick. At long snapper, Bullard did not have an errant snap all year on punts or field goal attempts. Linder carries a 3.73 GPA as a sport management major and was a key contributor on special teams in all 13 games with over 100 snaps logged.

Wallace owns a 4.0 GPA in the sport administration graduate program and was an honorable mention all-conference pick. The Benton, Ark., native led A-State with 154 carries for 721 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Select Academic All-District honorees will advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot, voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced Jan. 28, 2025.