Montclair, NJ — The Montclair State University football team placed seven of its student-athletes on this year's College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team, announced Tuesday afternoon.
The 2024 Academic All-District® Football teams, selected by CSC, honor the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performance on the field and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program recognizes football honorees across four divisions: NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and the NAIA.
To qualify for the Academic All-District Team, a player must have participated in at least 90% of games or started at least 60% of them while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher as a sophomore or above.
Montclair State University's representatives on the list are MOHAMMAD ABEDRABO, NICHOLAS BURGESS, LOGAN HALLORAN, AIDAN MCLAUGHLIN, DANIEL O'SULLIVAN, AIDEN SAMILA, and RYAN VISALLI.
MOHAMMAD ABEDRABO earned this distinction after starting all 10 games on the defensive line and maintaining a 3.90 cumulative GPA as an exercise science major. The 2024 All-NJAC Honorable Mention player recorded 33 tackles and 4.5 sacks, ranking second on the team and tied for sixth in the NJAC. Two of his sacks came in a home game against Kean on October 12, and he notched a career-high eight tackles on the road at Rowan on November 2.
NICHOLAS BURGESS was named to the Academic All-District Team for the second consecutive year. The senior linebacker started all 10 games and boasts a 3.87 GPA as a business management major. Burgess' stellar 2024 season included AP and AFCA Second Team All-American honors, D3football.com Third Team All-Region 2, and First Team All-NJAC recognition. He led Division III in tackles, amassing 117—20 more than any other NJAC player—and added career highs in solo tackles (50), tackles for loss (8.5), and sacks (3.5). Burgess also defended a pass and recovered a fumble. His standout performance came on Senior Day against Christopher Newport on November 9, where he recorded 19 tackles, including six solo stops, a tackle for loss, and 0.5 sacks.
LOGAN HALLORAN started all 10 games at tight end for the Red Hawks and maintains a 3.85 GPA as a business administration major. In 2024, Halloran contributed on special teams and caught two passes for eight yards, both on November 2 at Rowan.
AIDAN MCLAUGHLIN started nine games at quarterback and holds a 3.50 GPA as a business entrepreneurship major. The junior passed for 1,416 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 178 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
DANIEL O'SULLIVAN played in all 10 games and carries a 3.71 GPA as a business administration major. O'Sullivan tallied 11 total tackles (three solo), recovered a fumble, and broke up a pass in 2024. His best game came at home against Kean on October 12, where he posted three total tackles, including two solo stops.
AIDEN SAMILA started all 10 games in 2024, earning Second Team All-NJAC honors while maintaining a 3.63 GPA. He was instrumental in an offense that generated 2,718 total yards and 16 touchdowns.
RYAN VISALLI capped off the list as a 10-game starter at safety with a 3.79 GPA as an exercise science major. The junior recorded 58 tackles (31 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two pass breakups, and a blocked kick. In the season opener against Gettysburg, Visalli delivered his best performance, recording nine tackles, a 29-yard interception return, and a 77-yard blocked kick return for a touchdown.
With his athletic and academic standards, Burgess will be added to the Academic All-American voting ballot, which is voted on by the members of CSC. The CSC Football Academic All-American Teams will be announced on January 28, 2025.
Montclair State's student-athletes exemplify the commitment to excellence both on and off the field, making significant contributions to their team while maintaining high academic standards.
