Four Dukes Named to 2022 CSC Academic All-District Football Team

GREENWOOD, Ind. – Four James Madison student-athletes were selected to the 2022 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Football Team, the organization announced Tuesday.

Earning the recognition were punter Sam Clark, tight end Drew Painter, offensive lineman Tyler Stephens and defensive end Isaac Ukwu. It's the first career CSC honor for all four JMU student-athletes.

Clark graduated with a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from Sacramento State with a 3.81 GPA and is currently enrolled in JMU's adult education/human resource development master's program. This season, he has averaged 43.1 yards on his 45 punts. Clark has seven punts over 50 yards, including a season-best 65-yarder, and has 12 punts inside the 20 with only four touchbacks.

Painter graduated from JMU with a bachelor's degree in exercise science while holding a 3.54 GPA and is now seeking his master's in kinesiology. He's appeared in 58 career games for the Dukes. This season, he has 18 receptions for 204 yards and a touchdown. Off the field, he's twice earned the JMA Highest GPA Award (2021, 2022).

Stephens posts a 3.55 GPA while majoring in kinesiology at JMU. In three seasons, he's appeared in 22 career games with 17 starts, with the majority coming at the left guard position. He's made at least one start at both tackle and guard positions.

Ukwu earned his bachelor's degree from JMU in computer science while holding a solid 3.71 GPA. He's currently pursuing a post-grad certificate in cyber intelligence while finishing out his collegiate football career. In 27 career games, he's registered 27.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. A 2021 Second Team All-CAA and VaSID Second Team All-State selection, Ukwu has continued his dominance in the trenches this season, leading the Dukes with 10.5 TFL and 7.5 sacks.

The CSC Academic All-District® Team recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. These four Dukes advance to the ballot for the 2022 CSC Academic All-America® Team, which will be unveiled on Dec. 20.

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