Wednesday, November 29, 2023
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Pioneer Football League’s football communications directors named Valparaiso redshirt junior linebacker Evan Annis the league’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Wednesday, leading a group of 56 student-athletes named to the 31st Academic All-PFL teams, announced Wednesday.

Annis, a illiard, Ohio native, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering and entered this season with a 3.94 cumulative grade-point average. He is a three-time First Team Academic All-PFL selection, previously earning first-team honors in Spring 2021 and Fall 2021.

Annis returned as a Beacons team captain in 2023 after missing the entire 2022 season due to injury. He made the most of his return and earned Second Team All-PFL honors earlier this week. He led Valparaiso with 79 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and four quarterback pressures. Annis earned Valparaiso’s 2021 Koenig Award, presented to the football student-athlete with outstanding sportsmanship and character. Last season, he was named the Beacons’ “Most Inspirational Award.”

Butler offensive lineman Bryan Bystol joined an elite group of PFL student-athletes to earn First Team Academic All-PFL recognition four times during their career. Morehead State offensive lineman Jaxen Spears and Dayton offensive lineman David Tkatch joined Annis as PFL student-athletes to earn a third First Team Academic All-PFL honor this season.

Pioneer Football League athletic directors established the Academic All-PFL squads in 1993 as a way to recognize the league’s outstanding student-athletes. To be eligible for Academic All-PFL consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, reach his second season academically and played at least one full season at his current institution.