FRISCO, Texas – HCU tied for the most selections to the 2023 Southland Conference Academic All-Conference team, with five, announced by the conference office on Tuesday afternoon.
Nolan Hay,
Christian Hood and
Karl Reynolds were selected on the offensive side while
Xavier McIntyre and
Zae Smith were defensive honorees.
Hay, a sophomore offensive lineman, and Hood, a senior offensive lineman, both started all 10 games on the Huskies' line. They were crucial performers on a line that allowed just 18 sacks after allowing 36 the season prior. Additionally, the HCU o-line helped pave the way for the top rushing offense in the conference, averaging 158.4 rushing yards per game. Hood was a second team all-conference performer this past season and this is his second career academic all-SLC selection. Hay, a finance major, boasts a 3.6 grade point average (gpa) while Hood holds a 3.813 gpa while earning his master degree in kinesiology – sport management last December.
Reynolds, a senior wide receiver, was a first team all-conference pick after tallying 47 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns. He ranked second in the league in receiving yards and his six touchdown catches ranks third in program history for a single season. In his two seasons with the Huskies, he has moved into the top-four all-time in receptions (76), receiving yardage (1,082, and receiving touchdowns (11). Reynolds earned his bachelor's degree in December in interdisciplinary studies with a gpa of 2.54.
McIntyre, a senior walk-on linebacker who earned a scholarship prior to the 2023 season, started every game this season and finished fourth on the team with 55 tackles. He also tied for fourth on the team with five tackles for loss, registered a pair of fumble recoveries and forced one fumble. McIntyre graduated in December with a 3.5 gpa while majoring in kinesiology.
Sophomore defensive lineman
Zae Smith started nine games for the Huskies, finishing the season with 24 tackles, three and a half sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. In the Huskies' win at McNeese, Smith had four tackles, one sack and forced a fumble which he recovered. Smith owns a 3.37 gpa and is majoring in kinesiology.
HCU tied for the most academic all-conference honorees along with McNeese.
