KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A total of 13 members of the University of St. Francis football program have claimed placement on the 2024 NAIA Scholar-Athlete list, the national office has announced.

In order to receive NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition, nominees must be a sophomore or above in academic standing, must have been in attendance at the nominating institution for one full academic year and must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher at the time of the nomination deadline.

Gaining NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors for the fourth year in a row was quarterback Sam Tumilty, who earned his Bachelor's degree in Biology and is now pursing a Master's in Health Administration.

Notching the national award for the third time were:
Jason Hartsfield:  Senior wide receiver and a Values-Based Management major
James Zilinger:  Senior Biology major and running back

Two-time national selections were:
Nick Franciskovich:  Junior History major and defensive back
Nick Mabutas:  Junior defensive back majoring in Special Education
Curtis Reeves:  Redshirt sophomore Values-Based Management major and defensive lineman
Pat Strocchia:  Junior defensive lineman majoring in Values-Based Management

Earning the national accolades for the first time were:
Rob Baranowski:  Redshirt freshman defensive back seeking a degree in Finance
Marcello Bernardi:  Redshirt sophomore Digital Audio Recording Arts major and defensive lineman
Rylan Heersink:  Junior offensive lineman working towards a Bachelor's degree in Criminal and Social Justice
Aiden Niemczyk: Redshirt freshman defensive lineman obtaining a degree in Finance
Jaime Sepulveda:  Junior wide receiver majoring in Criminal and Social Justice
Scott Tumilty: Graduate student and defensive back/return specialist pursuing his Special Education Licensure

You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.