Patriot League Release

Bronx, N.Y. – A day after the Patriot League honored nine Rams for their accomplishments on the playing field, three members of the Fordham University football squad were honored today for their exploits in the classroom. Graduate student defensive lineman Deondre Carter, senior linebacker Ryan Greenhagen, and senior offensive lineman Nick Zakelj were named to the 2021 Academic All-Patriot League Team.
 
It is the third straight year that Greenhagen and Zakelj have earned Academic All-Patriot League honors while Carter gets named to the team for the first time.
 
Fordham tied with Holy Cross and Lafayette for the most members on the Academic All-Patriot League team.
 
The Patriot League Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Academic All-Patriot League Team honors student-athletes who excel both on and off the field and is made up of 12 student-athletes. The awards are nominated and voted on by the Patriot League Football sports information directors. To be eligible for the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and the Academic All-Patriot League Team, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and be a starter or key player in his/her sport. Freshmen or student-athletes in their first academic year at their school are not eligible for the honor.
 
Deondre Carter (Gr., DL, Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill)
• Recorded 44 total tackles, including 4.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks
• Also had three QB hurries, two fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick
• Led all Fordham defensive linemen in total tackles
• Tied for Patriot League lead with two fumble recoveries
• Started every game at defensive end for the Rams
• A three-year starter
• Received a bachelor's degree in Visual Arts in 2021, working on a master's degree in media management
 
Ryan Greenhagen (Jr., LB, Sparta, N.J./Pope John XXIII)
• 2021 Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
• Limited to just five games due to injury
• Had 102 total tackles in five games
• Was leading the NCAA in tackles/game when injured
• Broke NCAA record with 31 tackles at Nebraska
• Also had 5.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks, an interception and two pass break ups
• 2019 and 2020-2021 First Team All-Patriot League
• Has 35.5 career TFLs, fifth-best in school history
• 2020-2021 Academic All-American®
• A Business Administration major
 
Nick Zakelj (Sr., OL, Broadview Heights, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights)
• Started every game at left tackle for the Rams
• Helped Rams led the Patriot League and ranked eleventh in the NCAA FCS in passing offense (296.7 yards/game) and lead the League and rank 12^th in the NCAA FCS in total offense (447.5 yards/game)
• Helped Rams ranked second in the PL and 18^th in the NCAA FCS in scoring offense (33.6 points/game)
• Helped Rams lead the PL and rank 22^nd in the NCAA in fewest sacks allowed (1.36/game) and lead the League and rank ninth in the NCAA in TFLs allowed/game (3.91/game)
• A four-time All-Patriot League selection (First team in 2019, 2020-2021, and 2021)
• Four-year starter
• A Finance major