Bearcats Place Four Players on Academic All-America Team, Alec Pierce Earns Multiple Honors

CINCINNATI — We focus a lot on the athlete part of Student-Athlete, but amidst all the accomplishments on the field, plenty of UC Football players were also exceptional in the classroom this season.

The College Sports Information Directors of America named quarterback Desmond Ridder and wide receiver Alec Pierce first-team Academic All-Americans. They are the first Bearcats to earn the distinction since 1997, and the fifth and sixth player's in school history to crack the list.

Senior safety Bryan Cook and junior offensive lineman Lorenz Metz were both named to the second team. The four honorees were the most of any school in the country and cemented the first time multiple Bearcats were named Academic All-Americans.

Head coach Luke Fickell started his tenure in 2017 and has graduated every player that's stayed at least four years. Fickell molds great talent out of great individuals and has avoided shortcuts to put together a championship-standard program, not just a winning one.

"What a credit this is to these outstanding young men, who are leaders for us on the field and in the classroom," Fickell said about the recognition. "They truly embody what it means to be a student-athlete, and I couldn't be prouder as their head coach. Our Student-Athlete Support Services team here at the University of Cincinnati is the best in the country at preparing our students for life after football and giving them all of the tools and resources needed to earn a degree."

Pierce just wrapped up a mechanical engineering degree last week and earned double-duty on the academic awards front. The Bearcats leading wide receiver was named a Military Bowl 3M STEM Scholar-Athlete this week.

On AND off the field. 👊

@ajpierce00 acquires yet another academic award as he’s named a @MilitaryBowl 3M STEM Scholar-Athlete.

🔗: https://t.co/7scyoTZWja #Bearcats pic.twitter.com/H8Ib7kM4lf
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) December 16, 2021

The list recognizes players pursuing STEM field degrees in the ACC and AAC. Pierce earned his engineering degree in three-and-half years.

Metz also finished his industrial management degree last week, wrapping it up in three years. His quarterback is having a stellar season after Ridder completed his sports administration degree in 2020. Lastly, Cook is finishing up a degree in digital media.

Ridder, Pierce, and Cook were named All-AAC for their play this season and have arguably been even more impressive in the classroom during this magical run.

UC just wrapped up the first semester of classes. Now comes the crash course in stopping the Alabama Crimson Tide. Cincinnati faces its toughest test of the season on Dec. 31. The Cotton Bowl kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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