Tuscaloosa Academy senior Russell Cole was one of 82 athletes across the country selected to the National Football Foundation Team of Distinction, the organization announced Wednesday.

The team is made up of graduating seniors who play high school football and practice academic achievement, athletic accolades and community involvement.

Cole was nominated by the NFF University of Alabama Chapter.

“Each year, the NFF Team of Distinction represents the very best of what high school football has to offer — young men who lead with character, perform with excellence, and give back to their communities,” NFF chairman Archie Manning said in a release. “These 82 honorees exemplify the scholar-athlete ideal that is at the heart of our mission, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements.

“We are equally grateful to our NFF Chapter Network leaders, whose tireless efforts ensure that the values of football continue to thrive at the grassroots level.”

Cole finished his senior year with 74 tackles (31 solo), six tackles for loss, three pass deflections and three interceptions for the Knights, garnering honorable mention honors in Class 2A, Region 5.

He helped lead Tuscaloosa Academy to the Class 2A state championship game, which marked the program’s first AHSAA state title game appearance; the Knights won an AISA title in 2012.

Off the football field, Moore holds a 4.14 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and the Spanish and computer science honor societies.

He was selected as a Football America academic All-American as a senior.