All-Academic Team: Jake Meaders, Bryant

Jake Meaders was Bryant's top wide receiver on the Class 7A state championship team in 2019.

But his work in the classroom was just as impressive as his 18 touchdown receptions.

Meaders achieved all A's in high school, posting a 4.24 GPA and scoring a 34 on the ACT. He was No. 4 in a class of 623 students at Bryant.

"Academics is the most important thing above sports," Meaders said. "Eventually, that [sports] will come to an end."

Meaders was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Senate, Mayor's Youth Council and Advancement Council. His favorite class at Bryant was AP Calculus, while his toughest class was AP English.

Meaders was named to the 2020 National Football Foundation high school team, and also earned the Governor's Distinguished Scholarship and Presidential Distinguished Scholarship at the University of Central Arkansas.

Over his high school career, Meaders has seen Bryant transform from a state title contender to back-to-back state champions. Meaders also notes how the school changed while he was there.

"We've got the best experience," he said. "We went from the old campus to the new campus. We have a new gym and a new cafeteria."

Meaders, who has an academic scholarship, will walk on to UCA's football team.

He plans to major in accounting and wants to get into finance like his father Mike.

"I enjoy numbers," Meaders said. "I want to get the best job I can and end up somewhere in Arkansas."