PELLA—Central College cornerback Gavin Smith (senior, Audubon) and special teamer Ben DeMeulenaere (senior, Chelsea, Belle Plaine HS) were tabbed for the Division III Academic All-America® football team as selected by College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA).

To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity contributor, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or better and have reached sophomore standing.
           
Smith was a first-team selection for the second year in a row while DeMeulenaere made his first appearance on the second team.  The Dutch football program has now had seven honorees in the past five seasons.
           
Smith is an accounting and business management major with a 3.94 cumulative grade point average. Smith was a first team Associated Press All-America and a second team pick by the American Football Coaches Association.

He intercepted four passes and broke up nine other attempts, for 13 total passes defended. He made 38 tackles, forced a fumble and recovering another.
           
DeMeulenaaere is a business management major with a 3.91 GPA. He was a first team selection for the D3football.com All-Region 5 team as a special teamer and a third team pick as a cornerback.
           
He blocked three kicks this season. He blocked a PAT against Dubuque, a field goal against Dubuque and a punt against Simpson. In addition to a blocked punt against the Storm, he recovered a different blocked punt for a touchdown.

The Division III Academic All-America® program is financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 Division III Academic All-America® teams program.