January 6, 2026
MADISON, S.D. – The 2025-26 Academic All-District® Football teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes women's volleyball honorees in four divisions – NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.
Seven Dakota State football athletes received honors from CSC Tuesday. The criteria to the CSC Academic honor would need to have a minimum 3.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA), be at least a sophomore academically, and be a significant contributor (starter/important reserve) in their sport, with specific participation minimums like 90 percent of the contests.
These criteria recognize student-athletes excelling in both academics and athletes, with nominations submitted by institutional members of CSC.
The recipients for Dakota State include (name – position – year – hometown – major):
- Preston Iverson – running back – junior – Hot Springs, S.D. – computer science
- Brooks Jansen – defensive line – senior – Emery, S.D. – computer science
- Cole Paulson – linebacker – senior – Pipestone, Minn. – business education
- Kaden Van Otterloo – linebacker – sophomore – Sioux falls, S.D. – business management
- Maddox Kihne – wide receiver – junior – Sioux Falls, S.D. – biology
- Aidan Jahns – linebacker – junior – Rochester, Minn. – business
- Brandon Kjetland – offensive lineman – sophomore – Emery, S.D. – business administration
Iverson, Jansen, and Kihne advanced to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second-, and third-team Academic All-America® will be announced Jan. 27.
