Derek Pearse

Matt Whitcomb

Montana Tech football

Pearse, a junior from Post Falls High, and Whitcomb, a junior from Lake City High, were among three Orediggers named to the NAIA Academic All-America football team, selected by athletic communications professionals nationwide. 

A student-athlete must carry a 3.5 cumulative GPA, sophomore standing or better both academically and athletically, and be a starter or significant contributor to his team to be eligible for the Academic All-America program.

Pearse, a 6-foot-3 tight end made just seven catches on the season for the Butte, Mont., school, but five of them went for scores. An honorable mention All-Frontier Conference selection, Pearse was also part of a dominant run-blocking corps that helped Tech rank 15th in the country in rushing offense. A mechanical engineering major, he sports a 3.91 grade-point average.

Whitcomb, a defensive back, compiled 111 tackles to rank seventh in the NAIA and lead the Frontier Conference. The first-team all-conference safety also led the league with 15 tackles-for-loss and accumulated 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, an interception, and a fumble recovery on the season. Whitcomb holds a 3.73 GPA in the exercise and health science program.

Colson Yankoff

Washington Commanders

The running back/tight end from Coeur d'Alene High played 19 snaps, all on special teams, on Sunday in the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia, won by the Eagles 55-23. He had one assisted tackle covering a punt in the third quarter. In the second quarter, he was blocked into Philadelphia's Kenneth Gainwell while covering a kickoff return. Gainwell was eventually ruled out with a concussion. For the season, Yankoff saw action in eight games, played 141 snaps (135 on special teams), and was credited with two tackles on kickoff returns, two assisted tackles on kickoff returns, one assisted tackle on a punt return, and one downed punt. He was inactive for three games and on injured reserve for nine games with a hamstring injury. He returned to action at Detroit in the divisional playoffs.