GREENWOOD, Ind. (January 6, 2026) – Three football student-athletes from the University of North Alabama were recognized on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team on Tuesday, including graduate center Drew Lawson, redshirt sophomore quarterback Ty Watkins and junior long snapper Nathan Curry.
 
To be eligible, student-athletes must maintain at least a 3.5 grade-point average and must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically. Eligible nominees must have competed in 90 percent of the team's games or have started in 66 percent of games.
 
Lawson was also one of 11 players in the United Athletic Conference voted to the UAC All-Academic team. The Madison, Ala. native joined the Lions this season after spending the previous four at Southern Miss playing for UNA Hall of Fame quarterback Will Hall. Lawson was a team captain for the Golden Eagles in 2024 and was one of 52 players on the 2024 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Watch List.
 
As a Lion in 2025, Lawson started all 12 games at center and allowed just one sack all season. He played over 800 snaps and graded 80 percent or higher on the offensive line in 11 of his 12 games. He also graded above 90 percent six times. The former Bob Jones High School standout won UNA Offensive Lineman of the Week three times this season. He is pursuing a Master's degree in Math Education Grades 6-12.
 
Watkins played in all 12 games, primarily on special teams with a handful of appearances at quarterback. One of his key plays was at Utah Tech, taking the snap and making an important pitch on a 91-yard trick play touchdown scored by Tanaka Scott. The play was featured on ESPN College Football Final. Watkins is majoring in sport management.
 
Curry was a first team all-conference selection in the UAC, starting all 12 games as the long snapper on punts. He was virtually flawless snapping to Adam Watford, who earned FCS Football Central All-American honors and was the UAC Special Team Player of the Year. Curry also helped Watford become one of 10 finalists for the FCS Punter of the Year award.
 
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