News Summary

Alabama proudly recognizes nearly 150 student-athletes honored in the 5th annual Academic All-America team. This achievement highlights their impressive academic performance alongside athletic prowess. Student-athletes needed a GPA of at least 3.7 or a score of 92 to qualify, demonstrating their dedication on and off the field. Among the honorees is Mason Mathias, who exemplifies excellence with a perfect GPA and multiple accolades in swimming. The Academic All-America program continues to celebrate students excelling in academics and athletics, honoring over 42,000 individuals since its inception in 1952.

Alabama Shines with Nearly 150 Academic All-Americans!

In a fantastic celebration of brains and brawn, nearly 150 student-athletes from Alabama have been recognized in the 5th annual Academic All-America team. This amazing news hit on April 28, 2025, as High School Football America proudly applauded these talented individuals who excel both in their sports and their studies.

The Criteria for Excellence

To make this elite list, student-athletes had to meet some impressive standards. Honorees ≥needed at least a GPA of 3.7 or a score of 92 on a 0-100 scale. That’s no small feat! To add to their accolades, all these bright minds were also varsity contributors during the previous season, showcasing their dedication and hard work on the field.

Powered by scoutSMART

This initiative is made possible through the innovative services provided by scoutSMART. Using a proprietary system known as the scoutSMART FIT Score, the organization analyzes players’ statistics, skills on the field, and academic performance meticulously. College football coaches all over the nation keep an eye on this valuable information as it helps them in the recruitment process, ensuring that our future athletes get the attention they deserve. Alongside, student-athletes are encouraged to create free scoutSMART profiles, and coaches are invited to explore the recruitment assistance tools scoutSMART offers.

Mason Mathias: A Star in More Ways than One

Among this year’s honorees is senior Mason Mathias, who has truly raised the bar. Not only did Mathias achieve First Team Academic All-American status by the College Sports Communicators, but he’s also made headlines as a nominee for the prestigious H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year Post Graduate Scholarship through the Southeastern Conference. As a mechanical engineering student boasting a perfect 4.00 GPA, Mathias embodies the blend of athleticism and academics.

But that’s just the beginning! Mathias was recently hailed as the Men’s SEC Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year. His hard work in the pool has paid off, as he’s a two-time member of the All-SEC Second Team (2023, 2024) and has earned the CSCAA Scholar All-American honor for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, 2024). Additionally, he made it onto the Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll for three years and the CSC Academic All-District Team for three years straight!

Record-Setting Achievements

Mathias also has some impressive swim records under his belt. He currently holds the second-fastest time in program history for the 1000 free at 8:52.41. Moreover, he has set school records in the 500 free at 4:10.82 and in the 1000 free at 8:51.45. He ranks second all-time in the 1650 free and fourth all-time in the 1000 free, truly making waves in the swim community. Mathias has secured an impressive six All-American honors across various swimming events and even contributed to setting a school record in the 800 free relay with a time of 6:11.03.

A Legacy of Achievement

The Academic All-America program has long been dedicated to recognizing college student-athletes who shine not only in sporting arenas but also in their academic pursuits. Established back in 1952, this program stands as the longest-running award in athletic and academic excellence across various collegiate levels, including NCAA, NAIA, and Canadian institutions. Over the decades, this remarkable honor has recognized more than 42,000 individuals, including some well-known sports figures and successful professionals in numerous fields.

As we celebrate these incredible accomplishments and the hard work behind them, it’s clear that dedication and perseverance are shining bright in Alabama. Here’s to our amazing student-athletes continuing to make us proud both in and out of the classroom!

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