FRISCO, Texas - The Nicholls State University football team had five student-athletes named to the 2025 Southland All-Academic Football Team, announced Friday by the league office.

The five Colonels on the academic squad were defensive lineman Jacob Carpenter, wide receivers Karaaz Johnson and Brian McQuaide, linebacker Dominic Logiudice, and defensive lineman Alex Villavaso.

Carpenter started the season on the offensive line but made the switch to the defensive side. A business management major with a 3.87 GPA, he saw his first action on defense against Texas State. He had two tackles in two different games and totaled six on the season.

Johnson finished fourth on the Colonels with 252 yards receiving on 21 receptions to go along with two touchdown catches. A marine biology major with a 3.43 GPA, Johnson's touchdowns were two of the longest plays of the season for the Colonels as he had a 55-yard catch in the win over UIW before hauling in a 69-yarder against McNeese.

A safety management major with a 3.61 GPA, Logiudice totaled 18 tackles with 2.5 for loss for the defense. He had five tackles with a TFL in the win over McNeese, then followed with three stops and a half sack in the victory against HCU.

McQuaide spent time at wide receiver but also played on kick coverage and was the placeholder for field goals. A business administration major with a perfect 4.0 GPA, McQuaide had seven receptions for 55 yards and added three tackles. His best game was at SFA where he had three receptions for 22 yards.

Villavaso totaled 49 tackles for the defense including 6.0 tackles for loss with two sacks. A health-pre professional major with a 3.46 GPA, Villavaso posted a career outing against West Georgia where he had 10 tackles and two TFLs.

The Southland Football All-Academic Team was voted upon by the head coach, sports information director and an academic/compliance staff member from each institution. To be eligible for all-academic distinction, a student-athlete must hold a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA through the semester prior to the sport's championship, complete at least one semester at the nominating institution during the season of nomination, and participate in at least 50 percent of the team's games at the position listed.