In a notable achievement for the Villanova Wildcats football program, four student-athletes have secured spots on the prestigious PhillySIDA Academic All-Area squad. This year’s honorees consist of Temi Ajirotutu, Luke Colella, Shane Hartzell, and Pat McQuaide, marking the 18th consecutive year that multiple Villanova players have been recognized with this honor. The Wildcats have maintained an impressive streak of having at least one player selected since the awards inception in 2005, placing them tied for second this season for the most selections from a single institution.
Leading the recognition is Shane Hartzell, who has made a repeat appearance on the list and stands out as a unanimous selection. A First Team All-CAA linebacker, Hartzell leads his team in tackles, tackles for loss (TFLs), sacks, and quarterback hurries. The Perkasie native has also excelled academically, holding a commendable 3.89 grade point average in his graduate program. His impressive performance on and off the field has earned him accolades as a Buck Buchanan Award finalist and semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy during his senior year.
Temi Ajirotutu joins the ranks of honorees for the first time this year, after being named First Team All-CAA. Serving as one of the team captains, Ajirotutu has started all 13 games at left guard and has a solid academic record, maintaining a 3.54 GPA in his counseling master’s program. He recently celebrated a milestone, playing in his 50th career game as a Wildcat.
Luke Colella, in his inaugural season at Villanova after transferring from Princeton, has also made a significant impact. As the team’s leading receiver, he was recognized with Second Team All-CAA honors. The western Pennsylvania native is close to reaching 1,000 receiving yards and leads the Wildcats with 68 receptions, all while carrying a 3.67 GPA.
Rounding out this accomplished group is Pat McQuaide, who garnered All-CAA Honorable Mention recognition. After transferring from Nicholls, McQuaide quickly made a name for himself, throwing for over 2,700 yards and 23 touchdowns. The graduate quarterback has maintained a 3.80 GPA in his education master’s program and has already secured a place in the program’s top 20 in nearly every passing category after just one season.
The Wildcats, buoyed by these impressive academic and athletic achievements, are preparing for an important NCAA quarterfinal matchup against Tarleton State. The game is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. Eastern time in Stephenville, Texas. With this combination of talent both on the field and in academics, Villanova aims to continue its strong performance in the postseason.
