CoSIDA – Eight University of Dayton football players -- center Dylan DeMaison, defensive end Mason Henry, cornerback Jeremy Jonozzo, running back Michael Neel, offensive guard David Tkatch, defensive tackle Jack Wardzala, kicker Sam Webster and wide receiver Derek Willits– were named today to the Academic All-District 5 team, as selected by College Sport Communicators (formerly CoSIDA).

Dylan DeMaison was First Team All-Pioneer Football League and the 2023 winner of the Stan Kurdziel Award, which goes to the team's top lineman.  He is a two-time First Team Academic All-PFL selection.  The redshirt junior center carries a 3.71 GPA in Mechanical Engineering.  

Mason Henry is a redshirt junior defensive end from Springboro, Ohio.  He was First Team Academic All-PFL in 2023, and a two-time winner of the John L Macbeth Scholar-Athlete Award (highest GPA on the team).  A Mechanical Engineering major with an Aerospace Engineering minor, he has a 3.97 GPA.

Jeremy Jonozzo carries a 3.94 GPA in Accounting.  The redshirt sophomore cornerback was First Team Academic All-PFL this season.  He is from Broadview Heights, Ohio.

Michael Neel hails from Charlotte, N.C.  He graduated Cum Laude in the spring of 2023 with a degree in Business Economics, and is now pursuing his MBA.  He started the first nine games of the season before suffering a broken arm at Valparaiso, and finished seventh in the PFL in carries (138) and yards per game (68.1). 

David Tkatch was named First Team Academic All-PFL the last three years.  He graduated Magna Cum Laude in the spring of 2023 with a degree Finance, and is now pursuing his MBA.  A 2023 team captain, the offensive guard is from Harmony, Pa.

Jack Wardzala is a redshirt junior defensive tackle from Indianapolis.  He is a Graphics Design major with a 3.69 GPA.   He was the 2023 winner of UD's Mike Kelly / Rick Chamberlin Mental Toughness Award.

Sam Webster was a two-time All-PFL selection who graduated Cum Laude last spring with a degree in Finance and is pursuing his MBA.  He finished his career eighth in career scoring (all positions) with 240 points, sixth in FG accuracy (71%, 34-48), tied for third in PAT accuracy (96.5%, 138-143), fourth in career field goals (33) and third in kick scoring. He is from Richfield, Ohio.

Derek Willits was one of this season's this year's team captains.  He has a 3.97 GPA in Biochemistry, and was a semifinalist for the 2023 NFF Campbell Trophy.  He was presented the 2023 Lt. Andy Zulli Trophy at halftime of UD's last home game (Zulli is a character-based award that is considered the most prestigious in the UD program).  Hailing from Centerville, Ohio, he was third on the team in receiving (24 catches- for 11.2 avg.) and caught his only career touchdown pass on his final career reception.

Tkatch, Webster and Willits were all repeat selections for Academic All-District.