Celebrating Scholar‑Athlete Excellence
High School Football America, in collaboration with scoutSMART, has unveiled the sixth annual HSFA Academic All‑America team for Utah, spotlighting a select group of student‑athletes who have earned a GPA of 3.7 or higher — or scored at least 92 on a 0‑to‑100 scale — while excelling in football.
The recognition is powered by scoutSMART’s proprietary evaluation system, which blends statistical performance, on‑field skills and academic metrics to produce a comprehensive profile that college coaches across the country rely on when scouting talent.
Among the honorees are Nate Childs, Reese Cantwell, Colt Rushton, Dax Wankier, Keaton Cox, Landon Johnson, Logan Batt, Jasean Mayberry, Kai Meza, Landon Kjar, Mason Wood, Jett Rawlinson, Manase Tuatagaloa, Aidan Welchman, Bryson Pabst, Hayden Schramm, Tanner Holt, Kemper Castro, Toa Feinga, Wyatt Downard, Cash Hollingshead, Jaxon Hunt, Tytan DeJong, Burnham Sudweeks, Tanner Pidwell, Bo Goodman, Carsten Engberg, Tripp Palmer, Jack Clark, Beckham Bennett, Griffin Kunz, Trey Vaughn, Tua Naufahu, Liam LARSON, Preston Mackowiak, Ryker Van Komen, Xander Garcia, Boston Ress, David Jewkes, Dayton Miera, Mason Wilcox, Ma’atoe Moe, Mavrik Chlarson, Phoenix Sandoval, Ashton Taylor, and Viliami Tapa’atoutai.
These young leaders hail from schools across Utah, illustrating how rigorous academic standards can coexist with competitive athletics, and they join a growing roster of scholars who are attracting attention from programs at every collegiate level.
Coaches who have integrated scoutSMART’s data into their recruiting pipelines report a clearer picture of each prospect’s potential, allowing them to allocate scholarships and roster spots with greater confidence.
The announcement underscores a broader trend in high school sports where excellence off the field is increasingly valued, reflecting a shift toward well‑rounded development that aligns with the expectations of higher education institutions.