Stetson University defenders Ethan Hull and Nolan DeFranco were named to the 29^th annual Academic All-PFL team for 2021 as announced by the Pioneer Football League today.
 
Hull, a redshirt sophomore linebacker from Crestview, Ky., was named to the Academic All-PFL first team. A transfer from Jacksonville, Hull has a 3.97 cumulative GPA in Accounting. A starter in all 14 games since his arrival at Stetson, Hull finished the fall season with 58 total tackles, ranking third on the squad. He was credited with 4.5 tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks, with four QB hurries and one forced fumble.
 
During the spring season, Hull led the Hatters with 38 total tackles in the four games, with two tackles for loss. He was selected as a team captain by his teammates almost immediately after his arrival from JU after their program was disbanded. Hull was the 2019 PFL Defensive Freshman of the Year in the PFL.
 
DeFranco, a native of Winter Garden, Fla., arrived at Stetson as a graduate transfer from the University of North Carolina for the 2020-21 academic year. While working toward an MBA at Stetson he has posted a 3.83 GPA in grad school.
 
DeFranco started all four games during the spring season, recording eight total tackles with 2.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. He came back this fall, starting the first six games of the year before suffering an injury in the game against St. Thomas. After missing three games, he came back to play in the season finale against San Diego.
 
He was credited with 21 total tackles during the 2021 season with 2.5 tackles for loss, including 1.5 sacks. He was also credited with a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.
 
Since joining the PFL for the 2013 season Stetson has had 24 players named to the first or second team Academic All-PFL squad. DeFranco is the eighth player to earn the recognition at least twice. Only three former Hatters – Brad Alexander, Davion Belk and Jonny Messina – were named to the Academic All-PFL squad three times.
 
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.