By DOUG DONNELLY

Advance Editor

HILLSDALE – When Shea Ruddy arrived at Hillsdale College, he and the rest of the incoming freshman class were asked to speak in front of the entire team.

“All of the freshman had to go up in front of the team and give their team and individual goals,” Ruddy said. “I was one of the few people that said ‘be an All-American.’ Usually when a freshman comes in and says that the upper classmen will chuckle a little bit. I don’t think a lot of people took that seriously, but I’ve achieved it.”

Ruddy was named a first team All-American by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association last week, having been tabbed as the top return specialist in the country. While it’s not Ruddy’s first All-American honor, it’s the junior standout’s first-ever first team distinction, as one of just 26 players at the NCAA DII level to earn recognition as the best of the best in 2025.

“It was my goal and my hope,” Ruddy said. “I wasn’t sure if I would make first team. That’s exciting.”

Earning honors is nothing new for Ruddy. He was a four-year starting quarterback at Whiteford, leading the Bobcats to a state championship as a senior. After the season, the Michigan Associated Press named him the Division 7-8 Player of the Year.

Colleges weren’t lining up to take a shot on Ruddy, however.

“The truth is (Hillsdale) was my only offer coming out of high school,” he said. “I took it. My brother Ty was already going to Hillsdale, so I knew I would have someone to hang out with.”

Ruddy had always wanted to play college football but was a little worried if he would get that chance when he wasn’t heavily recruited.

“It was partially my fault for not putting myself out there,” he said. “My senior year I wasn’t getting any looks.”

After signing with Hillsdale, he switched from quarterback to receiver. He also joined the Chargers special team’s unit, returning kicks. In three years returning kickoffs, Ruddy has gained 1,692 career return yards and has five career return touchdowns, both Hillsdale records. As a sophomore he set the conference record with a kickoff return average of 33.3 yards. He fell just shy of breaking that record this season, returning kicks at a 33.1 yards-per-return click. He had touchdown returns of 97, 90 and 86 yards.

Ruddy said he and his coaches are surprised opponents keep kicking to him.

“We really don’t know why,” he said. “I think some teams want to prove they can stop us. It usually doesn’t really work for them. We’re not really sure why people kick to us.”

Ruddy credits the Hillsdale coaching staff, particularly special teams coach Ryan Stokes. He said the unit focuses on timing and analyzing the opponents kick return team.

“The scheme is the best team I’ve ever seen, honestly,” he said. “The guys really want to be on the unit. I think that’s rare that so many guys want to be on the return team. Coach Stokes does a great job.”

Stokes credits Ruddy.

“Shea is the type of playmaker that makes you look great as a coach,” Stokes said. “He works so hard both on and off the field, in the weight room, in the classroom, and in his practice habits. His vision, patience, and explosiveness when the ball is in his hands makes him one-of-a-kind. He has earned the right to be awarded first team All-American return specialist not only because of his skill and leadership but because of his character. He is the first person to say that he can’t make plays without the 10 other players on the field who consistently give their all and have helped him and Hillsdale be the best in the country for the last two years.”

Nate Shreffler, Hillsdale’s head football coach, called Ruddy a dynamic player.

“He is a homerun threat every time he touches the ball and is a guy that defenses have to pay attention to,” he said. “He is exciting to watch and is very deserving of being named first team All-American.

Ruddy has made a name for himself in college football circles because of the return game, but he contributed in a variety of ways.

This past season he led the Chargers in receptions (43), receiving yards (695) and touchdowns (seven) for the second straight season. The junior also rushed for a score and threw a passing touchdown as well for the Chargers, becoming the only player in NCAA DII and joining a very short list of college players to record a passing, rushing, receiving and kickoff return touchdown in the same season.

“It was fun to throw the ball again,” Ruddy said.

This off-season Ruddy said he plans to work on his speed and agility and wants to contribute in even more ways next season.

“I just want to keep progressing and getting better,” he said.

The bio chemistry major plans to return to Hillsdale for his senior season. He wants to see the Chargers win a conference title and make the playoffs.

“I get a lot of touches (here),” he said. “I don’t want take that for granted. If I were to go someplace else, there’s no certainty of that. I’ll be back.”

Ruddy plans to explore something else – finding an agent and working out for a shot at professional football.

“We’ll see,” he said. “I want to do some pro days and train for that. I’m going to try and go to the next level.”

Whiteford coach Todd Thieken saw first-hand what Ruddy could do in high school.

“I told college coaches three years ago how special this kid was, and no one would listen because he came from a small school,” Thieken said. “I’m so happy for all his accomplishments.”