AUSTIN, Texas -- July 13, 2021 -- The College Sports Information Directors of America organization issued its annual Academic All-America® release for NCAA Division II football on Tuesday at CoSIDA.com, putting Chadron State College senior wide receiver Cole Thurness on its Second Team.

The 2020-21 Academic All-America® selections were made based on career performances, rather than seasonal ones, due to the uneven participation and scheduling in Division II football this past year. Sports information directors across the division voted to select the first and second teams.

Thurness, a senior wide receiver from Rapid City, South Dakota, earned a 3.4 in his undergraduate program, putting him above the minimum 3.3 required for nomination. He holds a 4.00 in his organizational management graduate program.

His career 1,911 receiving yards, 139 receptions, and 19 touchdowns rank him top-10 in each category, in all of CSC's football history. Additionally, at last tally he was in the top three, among active Division II players, in all three categories, per stats.ncaa.com.

Ohio Dominican University senior quarterback Evan Ernst is the recipient of the 2020-21 Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year.