The 2023 Academic All-America® Football teams, selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC), recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The Howard Payne University football program landed one student-athlete, Casey Dufner, on this year's list.
 
Casey Dufner – 2nd Team Academic All-American – Tight End
A 1st Team All-Conference selection, graduate tight end Casey Dufner played in all ten games for the Yellow Jackets averaging an ASC-best 19.9 yards per reception. Dufner totaled 338 receiving yards on just 17 receptions. He recorded a career-high 114 receiving yards and one touchdown versus Sul Ross State. Dufner was also a D3football.com 2nd Team All-Region selection.
 
Finishing his college career with a 4.0 in his undergraduate degree and 4.0 in graduate work, Dufner was also the HPU Outstanding Male Scholar-Athlete, and an American Southwest Conference Medal of Honor recipient. Dufner was one of five student-athletes that boasted a perfect 4.0 GPA in his undergraduate and graduate studies. 

Link to full Academic All-American release