FLORENCE, Ala. -- For the third straight year, University of North Alabama graduate defensive back
K.J. Smith of Perry, Ga., has been named to the first-team of the 2021 Academic All-America® Football Team, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
The honor 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.
Smith was previously named to the Division I, Academic All-District 4 team for a third straight year as well.
Smith and Mississippi State University wide receiver Austin Williams were the only players selected with a 4.0 GPA in both their undergraduate and graduate programs.
Smith had a perfect 4.0 GPA as he pursued his Master of Science in Health and Human Performance degree. He previously graduated with a 4.0 GPA while earning a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an emphasis on Health. He received his Master's degree from UNA last week.
Only 25-total student-athletes earned first-team honors, and Smith was one of just four from an FCS institution selected for first-team honors.
Smith was previously selected as the Big South Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year for the third straight time.
On the field, Smith was named All-Big South Conference for the second straight season after leading the conference with six interceptions and ranking second in interception return yardage at 69. He is also second in the league in total passes defended with 12. He made 32 solo tackles and added 10 assists.
Smith joins former UNA baseball player Douglas Hargett (2000-02) as the only three-time Academic All-Americans in school history, and Smith is the the first Lion to be a three-time, first-team selection.
2021 CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA®
FIrst-Team
FIRST TEAM Pos. Name School Yr. GPA Major
QB - Desmond Ridder, University of Cincinnati Sr. 3.34 Sport Administration
RB - Tyler Badie, University of Missouri Gr. 3.83 Sport Management
RB - Jake Chisholm, University of Dayton Jr. 3.98 Pre-Medicine
WR - Alec Pierce, University of Cincinnati Sr. 3.83 Mechanical Engineering
WR - Austin Williams, Mississippi State Gr. 4.00/4.00 Finance (UG) / Business Admin. (G) / Unclassified (G)
TE - Charlie Kolar, Iowa State University Gr. 4.00 Mechanical Engineering
OL - Blaise Andries, University of Minnesota Gr. 3.84 Actuary Science / Applied Business Analytics
OL - Nick Brahms, Auburn University Gr. 3.82/4.00 Professional Flight Mgmt. (UG) / Business Admin. (G)
OL - Jake Dixon, Duquesne University Gr. 3.96/4.00 Accounting
OL - Wes Genant, South Dakota State Gr. 3.90 Human Biology
OL - Mike Van Hoeven, Eastern Michigan Gr. 3.96 Communication
K - Anders Carlson, Auburn University Gr. 3.92/4.00 Professional Flight Mgmt. (UG) / Business Admin. (G)
DL - Thomas Booker, Stanford University Sr. 3.88 Economics / Communication
DL - Matt Henningsen, University of Wisconsin Gr. 4.00/3.68 Electrical Engineering (UG) / Electrical & Computer Eng. (G)
DL - Aidan Hutchinson, University of Michigan Sr. 3.54 Applied Exercise Science
DL - Reece Winkelman, South Dakota State Sr. 3.87 Business Economics
LB - Troy Andersen, Montana State University Sr. 3.91 Agricultural Business
LB - Jack Gibbens, University of Minnesota Gr. 4.00/3.86 Accountancy
LB - Silas Kelly, Coastal Carolina University Gr. 3.85/3.64 Exercise & Sport Sci. / Business Mgmt. (UG) / MBA (G)
DB - Patrick Fields, University of Oklahoma Sr. 3.82 Accounting (UG) / Master of Accountancy
DB - Kekaula Kaniho, Boise State University Gr. 3.96 Health Science
DB - K.J. Smith, University of North Alabama Gr. 4.00/4.00 Interdisciplinary Stud./Health (UG) / Health & Human Perf. (G)
DB - Noah Williams, Stanford University Gr. 3.89 Product Design (UG) / Mgmt. Science & Eng. (G)
P - Paxton Brooks, University of Tennessee Gr. 3.92 Kinesiology / Biomechanics
ST - Jackson Hubbard, Duke University Gr. 3.73 Computer Sci. (UG) / Electrical & Computer Eng. (G)
