2025 CSC Football Academic All-America Teams
Over the past three seasons, Shea Ruddy has proven himself as one of the best football players in the country at the NCAA DII level.
The Hillsdale College junior has proven to be just as elite in the classroom.
For the second straight season, Ruddy earned Academic All-American honors from College Sports Communicators, it was announced on Tuesday afternoon. For 2025, Ruddy was recognized as a first team All-American, and the top academic special teams player in the country at the NCAA DII level after earning second-team honors in 2024. Ruddy is one of just 23 of the most elite players in NCAA DII athletically and academically to earn the distinction, and one of just 31 athletes in Hillsdale College history, including just nine football players, to receive the honor.
CSC, short for College Sports Communicators, began the distinguished Academic All-America® program in 1952, and since then, has honored thousands of deserving student-athletes from numerous sports across all divisions with these elite Academic All-America® scholar-athlete honors. Student-athletes must maintain a 3.5 GPA or better and are selected based on their academic and athletic achievements.
The Academic All-American honor adds to three All-American honors Ruddy already received for his play in 2025, including first team All-American honors from the D2CCA, second team All-American honors from the Associated Press, and honorable mention All-American honors from the Don Hansen Football Committee. The junior was one of the top kickoff returners in the country in 2024 as a sophomore, and picked up where he left off with an even better campaign in 2025. Ruddy led not just the Great Midwest Athletic Conference or NCAA DII, but all of college football with 960 kickoff return yards in 2025, and tied for the national all-division lead with three kickoff return touchdowns of 97, 90 and 86 yards. His 33.1 yards per return average fell just shy of the school and G-MAC record of 33.3 he set in 2024.
The junior's season achievements also helped him set a couple of Hillsdale career records. With 1,692 career return yards and five career return touchdowns, Ruddy officially surpassed Hillsdale College career records set by Chad Gurica in 2005.
While Ruddy was an elite kickoff return man, the skilled and athletic player made an impact in a variety of ways in 2025 as the Chargers' Swiss Army knife on offense. Ruddy led the Chargers in receptions (43), receiving yards (695) and touchdowns (seven) for the second straight season. The junior also rushed for a score and threw a passing touchdown as well for the Chargers, becoming the only player in NCAA DII and joining a very short list of collegiate stars in recording a passing, rushing, receiving and kickoff return touchdown in the same season.
In the classroom, Ruddy has excelled so far in college, making the dean's list every semester and earning Academic All-G-MAC honors in all three of his seasons. He's also been active in making a difference in the community, helping with Hillsdale's NMDP Be The Match Bone Marrow Drive, the football team's Victory Day event for children with special needs, and the Chargers' youth football camps.
Ruddy was well recognized this fall for his accomplishments, earning three G-MAC Player of the Week honors, repeat first team All-G-MAC and G-MAC Special Teams Player of the Year honors, and first team All-Super Region 1 honors from the D2CCA along with his Academic All-American and All-American honors.
A dynamic player with the ball in his hands, no matter the context, Ruddy has a bright future ahead as he's slated to return to Hillsdale for the 2026 season to finish off his college career in style, and add to his record accomplishments.