Fort Hays State University senior defensive lineman Jesse Trent became the first three-time CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-America selection in school history as he was named to the All-America First Team as a defensive lineman on Wednesday (Dec. 3). After two years of garnering second-team honors, Trent earned first-team honors in a year that he helped the Tigers win seven games in a season for the first time since 1996.
Trent is a Biology major with a grade-point average of 3.89. He has been a leader through example both on and off the field at Fort Hays State throughout his career as he plans to further his education upon graduation.
Anchoring the defensive line at defensive tackle, Trent tied for the lead in tackles among FHSU defensive linemen with 40. He also added 1.5 sacks, 5.0 tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery. Trent was an All-MIAA selection for the second straight year, earning an honorable mention selection after garnering third-team honors the year prior. He is a two-time recipient of the MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award, for student-athletes who attain All-MIAA honors and hold a GPA of at least 3.5.
Trent helped the Tigers to a record of 7-4 in 2014, the first seven-win season for FHSU since the 1996 season. FHSU finished in a tie for fourth in the MIAA standings, it’s highest-ever finish since joining the conference in 2006.
Trent’s selection gives Fort Hays State 43 CoSIDA Academic All-America selections all-time, the first dating back to 1975.
2014 CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-America Release