CLEVELAND – The Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) named 52 student-athletes to the 26th Annual Academic All-Star Team including Drake football's Finn Claypool and Jimmy Poremba. The 52 individuals were selected from a pool of 104 applicants.

Claypool, an AP FCS Second Team All-American, claimed Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Year, All-PFL First Team and Academic All-PFL Team honors while maintaining a 3.44 cumulative grade point average. Claypool helped Drake win the 2023 PFL Championship and clinch its first-ever appearance in the FCS playoffs behind a 57-tackle campaign that included 19.0 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and two pass breakups. He finished the regular season ranked second among FCS defenders in sacks and is fifth in tackles for loss. In his first two seasons with his hometown team, he has amassed 33.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks.

Poremba, primarily was stationed at right tackle on Drake's stout offensive line. He is a graduate student at Drake with a stellar 3.80 grade point average. The Wildwood, Ill., native created lanes for Bulldog running backs while holding opponents to a league-low in sacks allowed.

Football players from all Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) institutions are eligible for the award. Each of the nominees were required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate or graduate study and have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletics credentials. They must have reached their second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. They also must have participated in 50 percent of the games played at their designated position.