LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV football program saw four of its players earn spots on the 2022 Academic All‐District® Football Team, marking the first time more than three Rebels have made the prestigious team in the same season. 
 
Selected by the newly renamed organization College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA), the list recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. To be eligible, players must hold at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average in at least their second year and be a starter or key reserve for their teams.
 
Super Senior linebacker Austin Ajiake (AH-g-k) also earned a spot on last year's all-district team, when a then-program-record three Rebels were included. Ranking third in the nation with 132 total tackles, Ajiake (Fremont, California) was earlier this week named First Team All-Mountain West. He is a seven-time member of the Dean's Honor List, a four-time Academic All-MW honoree and a two-time MW Scholar-Athlete. He earned his bachelor's degree in urban studies in May and is pursuing his master's in urban leadership.
 
Sophomore tight end Kaleo Ballungay (kah-LAY-oh BALLOON-guy) earned his first honor with a 3.72 GPA in management. The Tracy, California, native has appeared in every game, has three receptions for 21 yards on offense and also appears on special teams for the Rebels.
 
Senior linebacker Kyle Beaudry (BOE-dree) earned his first spot on the team with a 3.52 GPA in mechanical engineering. The local product from Liberty High School in Las Vegas has 51 tackles in 11 starts for the Rebels this fall. The 2022 Wiesner Award winner is a three-time Dean's Honor List member and four-time MW Scholar-Athlete.
 
Junior long snapper Walker Hardan rounded out UNLV's contingent with a 3.76 GPA in marketing. Taking over as the team's full-time snapper with an injury to starter Rex Goossen, Hardan (Bothell, Washington) appeared in 11 games and is a four-time Dean's Honor List member and a two-time MW Scholar-Athlete.
 
The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes football honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. Academic All-District® honorees advance to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. First- and second-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced in late December.
 
2022 College Sports Communicators All-District Football Team
POS  PLAYER                   SCHOOL               YR    GPA       MAJOR
LB       Austin Ajiake            UNLV                    Gr.    3.63        Urban Leadership (Master's)
TE       Kaleo Ballungay      UNLV                    So.    3.72        Management
LB       Kyle Beaudry           UNLV                    Sr.     3.52        Mechanical Engineering
LS       Walker Hardan        UNLV                    Jr.      3.76        Marketing