Football Secures Program-Record Four CSC Academic All-District Awards
January 6, 2026
GOODWELL, Okla. The 2025 Oklahoma Panhandle State football team hauled in four CSC Academic All-District honorees, as announced Tuesday by College Sports Communicators.
Rylan Johnson, Dillon Laurer, Jake Morones and Nate Orta earned the awards for Panhandle State, marking the most honors OPSU football has garnered under the modern CSC Academic All-District format (since 2022). The four awards also are the program's most in at least six years.
Johnson, a Second-Team All-SAC running back from Tyrone, Oklahoma, finished the season ranked fourth in the conference in rushing yards. His highlights on the season included a long rush of 50 yards, two rushing touchdowns, and his efforts on Oct. 18 that helped the Aggies to their highest single-game running output in over a decade. The junior on the field has already achieved senior status academically while working towards his biochemistry degree.
Laurer, a senior health & physical education major, was a consistent presence among OPSU's receiving corps, totaling 295 yards and two touchdowns on the year. The Downey, California, native also factored in on the Aggies' dangerous return game, receiving nine kickoffs for an additional 216 yards.
Morones completed his junior season with 52 combined tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a sack in 10 games. Hailing from Paso Robles, California, the linebacker has also excelled in his studies as an industrial tech major, accumulating the highest GPA among Panhandle State's four honorees.
Orta, a sophomore linebacker, was a standout player for the Aggies' defense, finishing with a team-best 73 tackles and 6.5 tackles-for-loss, in addition to 2.5 sacks and an interception. He largely set up OPSU's Week 1 game-winning drive on Aug. 30 at Peru State with a crucial sack, setting the tone for a remarkable season. In the classroom, the Lubbock, Texas, native majors in business management.
About the CSC Academic All-America Program
CSC Academic All-District honorees are nominated by their respective institution's sports information department for exceeding high standards both on the field and in the classroom.
To be eligible for the award, student-athletes must have achieved sophomore status academically, maintain a GPA of 3.50 or higher and either play in a minimum of 90 percent, or start in at least 66 percent, of his team's games throughout the season.
A select group of Academic All-District awardees advance for consideration on the Academic All-America ballot, with Johnson advancing for the Aggies. The Academic All-America Team is voted on by members of CSC, and the winners will be announced on Jan. 27.
2025 CSC Academic All-District Football Teams | OPSU Honors Page
Rylan Johnson, Dillon Laurer, Jake Morones and Nate Orta earned the awards for Panhandle State, marking the most honors OPSU football has garnered under the modern CSC Academic All-District format (since 2022). The four awards also are the program's most in at least six years.
Johnson, a Second-Team All-SAC running back from Tyrone, Oklahoma, finished the season ranked fourth in the conference in rushing yards. His highlights on the season included a long rush of 50 yards, two rushing touchdowns, and his efforts on Oct. 18 that helped the Aggies to their highest single-game running output in over a decade. The junior on the field has already achieved senior status academically while working towards his biochemistry degree.
Laurer, a senior health & physical education major, was a consistent presence among OPSU's receiving corps, totaling 295 yards and two touchdowns on the year. The Downey, California, native also factored in on the Aggies' dangerous return game, receiving nine kickoffs for an additional 216 yards.
Morones completed his junior season with 52 combined tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a sack in 10 games. Hailing from Paso Robles, California, the linebacker has also excelled in his studies as an industrial tech major, accumulating the highest GPA among Panhandle State's four honorees.
Orta, a sophomore linebacker, was a standout player for the Aggies' defense, finishing with a team-best 73 tackles and 6.5 tackles-for-loss, in addition to 2.5 sacks and an interception. He largely set up OPSU's Week 1 game-winning drive on Aug. 30 at Peru State with a crucial sack, setting the tone for a remarkable season. In the classroom, the Lubbock, Texas, native majors in business management.
About the CSC Academic All-America Program
CSC Academic All-District honorees are nominated by their respective institution's sports information department for exceeding high standards both on the field and in the classroom.
To be eligible for the award, student-athletes must have achieved sophomore status academically, maintain a GPA of 3.50 or higher and either play in a minimum of 90 percent, or start in at least 66 percent, of his team's games throughout the season.
A select group of Academic All-District awardees advance for consideration on the Academic All-America ballot, with Johnson advancing for the Aggies. The Academic All-America Team is voted on by members of CSC, and the winners will be announced on Jan. 27.
2025 CSC Academic All-District Football Teams | OPSU Honors Page
