JOLIET, Ill. --- University of St. Francis defensive lineman Michael R. Johnson has been named to the 2021 NAIA Academic All-District 2 Football Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The honor recognizes the nation's top student athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.

Johnson was one of 29 players named to the District 2 team, which is made up of NAIA football student-athletes from the region comprising Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. A total of 94 NAIA players representing four districts were recognized in all.

The award is the second of the postseason for Johnson, who also gained a spot on the all-Mid-States Football Association Midwest League Second Team. This past spring, he was an honorable mention choice of the conference.

Johnson produced the fourth-most tackles on the club with his 51 stops for the Saints, who tied for the league title with a 6-1 conference mark. The junior also was credited with 2.5 sacks and one tackle for loss, while forcing one fumble.

A two-time MSFA All-Academic selection, Johnson has been named to the Dean's List on two occasions at St. Francis, where he is majoring in Accounting.      

Besides going 6-1 in MSFA play, St. Francis registered a 6-3 overall mark. The six regular season wins were the most since the 2015 campaign when USF won eight games. 
The six conference victories were the most since 2011 when that team also went 6-1 in the league.