AUSTIN, Texas – Central Washington University redshirt sophomore running back Tyler Flanagan was named to the College Sports Communicators Second Team Academic All-American Team announced Tuesday morning.
 
"This is a huge honor to win this award," Flanagan said. "There was a lot of hard work and time that I put into this from all the schoolwork to all the time spent in football. There's a lot of balance between the two and I had a lot of help and supporters along the way. I want to give a big thanks to my professors and coaches for pushing me to be the best football player I can be and for challenging me and for helping me thrive in the classroom. GO CATS!"
 
Flanagan, the Lone Star Conference Offensive Back of the Year and Super Region 4 Second Team Offense selection currently has a 3.58 GPA in Sport Management and is the first CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-American for CWU since Garrett Rolsma earned First Team Academic All-American honors in 2009.
 
"I'm extremely proud of Tyler," CWU Head Football Coach Chris Fisk said "It's easy to see his accomplishments on the field, and it's great to see his hard work paying off off the field. He is a great representative of Central athletics."
 
Flanagan spearheaded the potent rushing offense the Wildcats instilled this season. He finished the season rushing for 1,014 total yards for an average of 5.8 yards per carry and 84.5 yards per game. He added 12 rushing touchdowns and had a team-high 55-yard rush at Western New Mexico. Flanagan finished the season with 12 catches for 132 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He returned five kickoffs for 128 yards and a game-opening return touchdown against Eastern New Mexico.