AUSTIN, Texas – Quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State University has been named as the 2015-16 CoSIDA Division I Academic All-American® of the Year, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). A health and physical education major with a 4.0 G.P.A., Wentz was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-America® first-team choice.
 
"I am extremely honored and blessed to be selected as the CoSIDA Academic All-American® of the Year. Being a student-athlete means making a strong commitment to both academics and athletics. I am proud to represent a championship football team, but also a program that values the importance of education," said Wentz.
 
"NDSU taught me so many things both in the classroom and on the football field," he continued. "And I truly believe that helped me get to where I am today. I am very thankful for all of the support I received at NDSU."
 
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Wentz with the second pick of the 2016 NFL Draft in April. He is the first quarterback drafted out of NDSU and the highest-drafted non-Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) quarterback, surpassing Steve McNair (3rd in 1995), Phil Simms (7th in 1979), Joe Flacco (18th in 2008) and Ken O'Brien (24th in 1983). McNair, Simms and Flacco are all Super Bowl winners.
 
Wentz, a native of Bismarck, North Dakota, was a two-time NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Championship Game Most Outstanding Player in 2015 and 2016. This past season, he came back from a broken right wrist midway through the year, to lead NDSU to its record-breaking fifth straight national championship. Wentz completed 16-of-29 passes for 197 yards and added 79 rushing yards to account for three touchdowns – two rushing and one passing – in the 37-10 win over Jacksonville State.
 
For the season, Wentz completed 130 of 208 passes for 1,651 yards and 17 touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions. Also a dangerous runner, he carried the ball 63 times for 294 yards and six scores. NDSU finished 13-2 overall and 7-1 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference to claim a share of its fifth straight conference title.
 
Wentz, who was a three-time NCAA Elite 90 Award recipient, set NDSU single-season passing records for completions, passing attempts, yards and total offense in leading the Bison to a 15-1 record, and fourth straight Missouri Valley Football Conference and NCAA FCS National Championships last season. He was named the 2015 NCAA FCS Championship Game Most Outstanding Player after scoring the game-winning touchdown with 37 seconds left in the 29-27 victory over Illinois State.
 
"Carson is a perfectionist. His work ethic is second to none. The best practice players are always prepared the best on game day, and Carson was so meticulous in his weekly preparation on and off the field that the game slowed down for him on Saturdays. A huge part of Carson's success, leadership and work ethic comes from his firm foundation of faith and not compromising but always staying focused on a greater plan," said NDSU head football coach Chris Klieman.
 
Wentz was 20-3 as a starter and ranks third in NDSU history for career passing completions (392), passing yards (5,115) and passing touchdowns (45).
 
Carson's brother, Zach Wentz, a former baseball standout at NDSU, was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-America® selection earning first team honors in 2012 and second team in 2010.

In addition, junior track & field and cross country runner Leah Esposito of Carroll College (Mont.) was named the CoSIDA College Division Academic All-America® of the Year winner, senior track & field and cross country runner Maryann Gong of MIT earned the Division III Academic All-America® of the Year award, and senior quarterback Jason Vander Laan of Ferris State claimed the Division II Academic All-America® of the Year honor.