Schwartz Voted NATYCAA Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year
De Anza College football standout Jason Schwartz has been selected as 2025 National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
The NATYCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award sponsored by Relation Insurance Solutions recognizes one male and one female student-athlete from a two-year college for their outstanding athletic achievements, academic success and demonstrated their academic, athletic and leadership abilities while also serving their community.
Schwartz will be honored at opening day of NATYCAA's annual convention in Orlando, Florida on June 8. He is the first student-athlete from the Bay Area to receive this honor.
Schwartz is a business major (emphasis in Computer Information Systems) maintaining a cumulative 3.77 GPA. He is on track to graduate this spring and is currently being recruited by four-year universities across the country. Schwartz is a two-time Academic All-American and Academic All-State selection. He is a six-time Dean's Scholar during his tenure at De Anza College.
As a defensive lineman, he led the Pacific 7 League in sacks (5.5) and tackles for loss (6.0). He also led all 3C2A American Division Northern California players in overall sacks (8.5) and ranked sixth in tackles for loss (11.0).
He also had a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and an interception returned for a touchdown.
Schwartz was voted First Team All-PAC 7 and Second Team All-Northern California. The two-time captain helped lead the 2024 Mountain Lions to a perfect 10-0 regular season – the first since 1979.
As a prospect from Leigh High School in San Jose, Schwartz originally joined De Anza College as a tight end. He was the first recruit for Mountain Lions head coach Joe D'Agostino when he started in 2022.
D'Agostino saw the potential for Schwartz to switch to defense, as he got bigger and stronger.
"Jason's willingness to change positions is just one example of his love for teammates," D'Agostino said.
"His physical gifts and abilities are evident on the field. But his commitment to the classroom, the weight room, and team captain for our program is what sets him apart. Jason has been a positive role model for his peers. Coaches are looking for program-changers and Jason is the epitome of everything we want in leadership."
To be eligible for NATYCAA scholar-athlete, nominees must earn a minimum 3.6 GPA on a 4.0 scale with a minimum of 36 semester hours or 45 quarter hours with a minimum of 24 semester/36 quarter hours at the nominating institution; participation in a minimum of one complete season of varsity competition at the nominating institution; outstanding athletics success; and outstanding qualities of leadership and citizenship.