Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324
2025 NCAA Division III CSC Academic All-America Selections - Football
Jan. 27, 2026 - Three North Central College football student-athletes were chosen as College Sports Communicators Academic All-America selections, with offensive lineman
Jerred Durian and kicker
Aidan Ellison earning First Team honors and linebacker
Danny Nuccio earning Second Team accolades, the organization announced Tuesday.
The trio, all of whom are first-time Academic All-America selections, were among eight Cardinals selected to the CSC Academic All-District Teams earlier this month. Nominees must carry a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 and have achieved at least sophomore academic and athletic standing. The Academic All-America Teams are selected through a vote by CSC's membership, which is comprised of more than 3,000 sports information and athletic communication professionals throughout the United States and Canada.
Durian earned CSC Academic All-District in 2024 as well, helping anchor an offense that ranked in the top 10 in Division III in scoring offense (47.0 points per game), total offense (482.5 yards per game) and rushing offense (260.7 yards per game). The senior from Aurora was named an Associated Press All-American and a D3football.com First Team All-Region 5 player.
In his first season in a Cardinal uniform, Ellison made his mark as one of the top kickers in the country. He became just the second kicker in Division III to be named the Fred Mitchell Award winner. He was named an All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, AP and D3football.com. . His 57-yard field goal set a new program record, while his season total of 15 made field goals ranks second in school history.
Nuccio, a two-time Academic All-District selection, was a D3football.com All-Region 5 linebacker. The Plainfield native ranked second on the team in total tackles, posting a career-high 90 on the season. Nuccio tallied 14 tackles in the second round of the postseason in North Central's 38-6 win over Hanover College.
The football program now has 18 CSC Academic All-Americans dating back to 2008, including 15 in the past five seasons. In total, North Central has 70 CSC Academic All-Americans in school history.
