SAN ANTONIO, TX (JANUARY 11, 2025) – Over the past few days, the Association of Collegiate Anglers has been releasing the rankings for the latest points update to the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. In this third and final article, we will take a look at the teams currently ranked in the Top 5 for college fishing’s only all-encompassing National Rankings system.

1) Carson-Newman University 

14,765 points

Carson-Newman University is currently ranked number one overall in the race for 2024-25 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. With a season-total of 14,765 points, Carson-Newman leads 2^nd place by just over 1,000 points. Carson-Newman was selected 3^rd overall in the ACA Pre-Season Poll coming into this year. Following a 3^rd place finish to wrap up the 2023-24 campaign, Carson-Newman is looking to win its first-ever title as Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.

2) University of Montevallo

13,600 points

Checking in at the number two spot is the University of Montevallo. Montevallo has won the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia each of the last four seasons. The team from Alabama was selected as number one overall in the annual ACA Pre-Season Poll. If Montevallo were able to finish the year ranked number one once again, the team would continue to re-write the history books.

3) Bethel University 

13,460 points

In 3^rd place is another past winner of the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia, Bethel University. Located in McKenzie, TN, Bethel University was selected 10^th overall in the ACA Pre-Season Poll. Bethel University finished the 2023-24 season ranked 11^th. If Bethel University was able to finish the season ranked number one this year, they would join Montevallo, McKendree, and UNA as the only schools to have ever won the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia two or more times.

4) University of North Alabama

13,030 points

After finishing the 2023-24 season ranked 2^nd, the University of North Alabama was picked 6^th overall in the ACA Pre-Season Poll. The team from Florence, AL currently sits in 4^th, just over 1,500 points behind top-ranked Carson-Newman University. The next stop for the ACA will be the Pickwick Slam, located just minutes from the UNA campus. If UNA has a strong spring and remains in the Top 5, the Pickwick Slam could make or break their chances at claiming the school’s third title.

5) McKendree University 

12,185 points

The 5^th and final team to be highlighted in this rankings reveal is McKendree University. At the mid-way point of last season, McKendree was ranked in this same position. The two-time title winner went on to finish the 2023-24 season ranked 4^th. McKendree University was voted 2^nd overall in the ACA Pre-Season Poll. Like UNA ranked just ahead of them in 4^th, if McKendree was to win the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia this season…they would join Montevallo as the only teams to win this title three or more times.