Seven Spartans Earn Spot on Prestigious Academic All-District Football Team!

Football
1/7/2025 12:27:00 PM

EAST LANSING, Mich. – A program-high seven Spartans – Nate Carter, Sam Edwards, Maverick Hansen, Marcellius Pulliam, Jalen Satchell, Darius Snow and Jalen Thompson – have been selected for the Academic All-District Team due to their standout achievements in both athletics and academics.

This represents the second occasion that Edwards, Hansen, and Snow have received Academic All-District honors throughout their academic pursuits.

The team was chosen by the College Sports Communicators (CSC); student-athletes had to be either a starter or a notable contributor to the team in at least their second year of college and must have maintained a minimum 3.5 grade-point average to qualify.

The CSC Academic All-America® program further honors football recipients across four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.

Carter, Edwards, and Hansen will progress to the CSC Academic All-America ballot, which will be voted on by CSC members; the Academic All-America Team will be disclosed on Jan. 28.

The prior program record of five Academic All-District awardees occurred during the 2003 season.

A human development and family studies major who completed his studies in December 2024, Carter amassed 1,297 yards rushing and nine touchdowns on 301 carries during his two-year Spartan tenure (2023-24). He was also named to the Academic All-Big Ten Team in the fall. Elected as a co-captain by his peers, Carter led MSU with five rushing touchdowns this past season and ranked second in rushing yards (499) and carries (116), tying for second in all-purpose yards (672).

Edwards received recognition on the Academic All-District Team for a second straight year. He graduated with a double major in political theory and constitutional democracy/international relations in May 2024, completed his political economy minor in December, and is set to commence a master’s program in marketing research in the upcoming spring semester. A four-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient, Edwards participated in 129 special teams snaps and also served as the team’s long snapper on field goals and PATs during the last month of the season; furthermore, he played 16 snaps at linebacker and recorded four tackles overall.

Hansen also achieved Academic All-District recognition for the second consecutive year. A five-year letterwinner who competed in 54 career games for the Spartans from 2020-24, Hansen recorded 104 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks in his college career. A co-captain in his sixth and final season in 2024, Hansen graduated with a degree in hospitality business and was a five-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, a four-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, and a two-time semifinalist for the NFF Campbell Trophy.

Pulliam, a sophomore, transferred from Miami to Michigan State over the summer and participated in all 12 games for the Spartans. He clocked 97 snaps on special teams, which included duties on kick return, punt return, and punt coverage, and 36 snaps as a linebacker on defense while registering four tackles.

A redshirt junior, Satchell also transitioned to MSU from Old Dominion during the summer, appearing in 11 games on the defensive line, contributing five tackles, 1.5 TFLs, half a sack, and one pass breakup over 213 snaps.

Snow attained Academic All-District honors for the second time in his collegiate journey after recovering from injuries over the preceding two seasons. He initially earned Academic All-District recognition in 2021 and has returned to the team in 2024 after registering 29 tackles in 12 games this past season. A four-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient, Snow obtained his bachelor’s degree in graphic design and his master’s degree in strategic communication.

Thompson, a sophomore defensive lineman hailing from Detroit, began all 12 games for the Spartans, accruing 17 tackles, with two tackles for loss. He also received Academic All-Big Ten accolades for the first time during the fall.

For further details regarding the CSC Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.