Nate Anderson was one of eight Oklahoma Baptist student-athletes tabbed to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Football Team. Jaxon Canard, Taylor Mante, Braden Phipps, Payton Russell, Sam Sharp, Jaxon Turner, and Kendall Williams were the other Bison mentioned on the 2022 list.
Each honoree advances to the CSC Academic All-America ballot, which will be announced late December.
The octet is the first to grace the esteemed roll call since specialists Hayden Ashley and Trey Tully were recognized in 2017. Before, defensive lineman Kimes Gilbert became the first Bison in the Division II era to garner COSIDA/CSC Academic All-America honors after being named to the 2015 second team for defense.
To qualify, a student-athlete must have possessed at least a 3.50 grade point average, been of sophomore standing, and have legitimate playing credentials.
Anderson, a sophomore business management major, tallied 72 rushing yards on 32 attempts and scored his first career touchdown this fall. He added 13 receptions for 109 yards in seven games of action at the running back position.
Carnard, a clinical health and human performance major, rushed eight times for 44 yards and a touchdown in his sophomore campaign. Mante, a senior defensive lineman from Abbotsford, British Columbia, registered two tackles in seven games. Mante is on track to graduate with a clinical health and human performance degree.
Phipps, also a clinical health and human performance major, recorded career highs in receptions (36) and yards (264) at wide receiver in his senior year with the Bison. His lone touchdown came on a 13-yard reverse in the season finale. Phipps doubled as the team’s punter, finishing the year with 1,993 yards on 55 attempts. In week seven against East Central, he broke the all-time OBU record for the furthest punt with a 71-yard bomb that landed on the Tigers’ six-yard line. Additionally, he landed 14 punts inside the 20-yard line, which tied for third in the GAC, and recorded six 50-plus yard boots.
Russell, a sophomore exercise science major, registered two tackles and a fumble recovery in 11 games. Primarily a deep snapper, Russell’s efforts were instrumental in OBU’s success in the punting and field goal phases of the games.
Sharp, a sophomore forensic psychology major, caught 17 passes for 109 yards to lead the tight end’s room. Sharp hauled in a career-best two touchdowns and had two rushing attempts for 14 yards.
Rounding out the honorees is junior political science major, Jaxon Turner, and sophomore marketing major, Kendall Williams. Turner, a defensive lineman, saw action in 11 games and tallied 16 tackles. Williams matched the tackle total but added a forced fumble and 2.0 TFLs.
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