Eastern Wayne Today

Wayne State University has emerged as a leader in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) with eight football players receiving Academic All-District honors. This recognition was announced by the College Sports Communicators organization earlier this week. Additionally, five of these athletes have advanced to the Academic All-American ballot, matching the highest number in the conference.

Following Wayne State's eight selections were Ferris State with six honorees and five advancing to the All-American ballot, Grand Valley State with four and all advancing, Michigan Tech with four and three advancing, Davenport with three and two advancing, Saginaw Valley State with two honorees, and Northern Michigan with one.

The honored Wayne State student-athletes include graduate student safety Shavez Hawkins Jr., graduate student defensive tackle Kane Quinlan, graduate student defensive back Drake Reid, redshirt junior place-kicker Griffin Milovanski, redshirt junior punter Jeremy Taras, redshirt sophomore tight end John Rayba, redshirt sophomore center Aidan Tweedy, and redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Gus Taylor.

Hawkins Jr., who holds a bachelor's degree in Management from May 2023 and is pursuing an MBA, "was named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (term GPA 3.5+) all six semesters at WSU," starting all 11 games at safety with notable performances including 43 tackles.

Quinlan also pursuing an MBA after earning a bachelor's degree in Marketing in 2023 "was named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (term GPA 3.5+) all eight semesters," playing as a starting defensive tackle in all games.

Reid completed his bachelor's degree in Finance in December 2022 and is currently pursuing an MBA. He "has been named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (term GPA 3.5+) all eight semesters" while being voted to the All-GLIAC Second Team for his performance on defense.

Milovanski is majoring in Management and has achieved multiple academic honors while setting a school record for field goals over 40 yards. Taras is also majoring in Management; he averaged significant punt yardage over several attempts.

Rayba is studying Finance and was recognized for his contributions on offense during his four semesters at WSU. Tweedy has consistently performed academically while playing every offensive play during numerous games this past fall season.

Taylor majors in Management; he participated actively throughout the season as a defensive tackle contributing both defensively and academically during his tenure at WSU.

These students marked by an asterisk (*) are finalists for CSC Academic All-America® status which will be decided by member votes ahead of January 23rd announcements for first through third-team honorees.