ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Team
Selected by CoSIDA
Penn States Posluszny and Pittsburgh States Meredith Head
2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Football Teams
Two defensive players, linebacker Paul Posluszny of Penn State and lineman Ryan Meredith of Pittsburgh State head the 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Volleyball Teams, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Posluszny heads the list of University Division Academic All-America honorees, earning his second straight first-team Academic All-America honor and garnering the Academic All-America of the Year award. The Aliquippa, Pa. native, who won the 2005 Butkus and Bednarik Awards, is a finalist for the Butkus, Bednarik and Lott Trophy awards this year. He is finance major with a 3.56 grade point average.
Meredith copped the Academic All-America of the Year honor for the College Division. The owner of a 3.93 grade point average as a management major, he hails from Bartlesville, Okla.
A starter in the last 36 games, Posluszny is Penn States career tackle leader (364) and the first Nittany Lion to earn three 100-tackle seasons. He has 108 hits (65 solo), with 7.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and four pass breakups this year.
Posluszny is one 11 Big Ten players to earn first- or second-team Academic All-America honors. The Big Ten had eight players overall earn first-team recognition. Top-ranked Ohio State had three selections as did Penn State.
Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm led the first-team Academic All-America offense. Place-kicker Josh Hoke (Coastal Carolina) and offensive lineman Mike Elgin (Iowa) were repeat first-team honorees, while defensive back Will Meyers (Indiana), linebacker Jay Henry (West Virginia), lineman Kyle Kinsell (Davidson) and punter Daniel Sepulveda (Baylor) joined Posluszny as repeat first-teamers on defense.
Meredith, a three-time member of the Academic All-America Football Team, has been named to the first team two straight years. A two-time Division II All-America, he is an 06 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete award recipient and a finalist for the Draddy Award, the Academic Heisman. A starter in all 11 games this season for the 9-2 Gorillas, Meredith made 51 tackles, including 22 solo stops, six tackles for losses and 2.5 sacks. He has 229 career tackles, 54 tackles for losses and 29.5 sacks in 52 career games played.
The University of North Dakota placed two athletes on the Academic All-America first team, and North Dakota was one of seven institutions with a least two athletes on either the first or second national team. The University of Rochester and Carnegie Mellon University led the way with a total of three athletes honored on one of the two teams.
Meredith was one of six repeat selections at the College Division level. Joining him as repeat selections were first-team honorees Nicholas Zappia (University of Rochester), Aaron Lewis (Carnegie Mellon) and Shawn Herrmann (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), a second-team selection in 05, and second-team choices Bryan Florenda (Colorado School of Mines) and Creed James (Mesa State University).
To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. Since the programs inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA covering all NCAA championship sports.
ESPN The Magazine winner of the 2006 and 2003 National Magazine Award for General Excellence is a provocative and innovative sports publication. Full of insight, analysis, impact and wit, the oversized bi-weekly with a circulation of 1.9 million looks ahead to give fans a unique perspective on the world of sports.
2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Football Team (University Division)
as selected by CoSIDA
First Team - Offense
NAME SCHOOL POSITION YR. HOMETOWN GPA MAJOR
Brian Brohm University of Louisville QB Jr. Louisville, Ky. 3.53 Finance
Anthony Gonzalez Ohio State University WR Jr. Cleveland, Ohio 3.54 Philosophy
James Lindgren Univ. of Northern Iowa WR Sr. Odebolt, Iowa 3.81 Construction Management
John Carlson University of Notre Dame TE Sr. Litchfield, Minn. 3.59 History
Stan White Ohio State University RB Gr. Baltimore, Md. 3.80 Finance / MBA
Cory Koenig South Dakota State Univ. RB Jr. Underwood, Iowa 3.77 Biology
Luke Siwula Cornell University RB Jr. Cortland, N.Y. 3.60 Industrial & Labor Relations
Mike Elgin University of Iowa OL Sr. Bankston, Iowa 3.88 Mechanical Engineering
Hayden Lane University of Kentucky OL Gr. Lawrenceville, Ga. 3.95 Anthropology / Classics
Adnan Filipovic Furman University OL Gr. Martinez, Ga. 3.92 Math / Economics
Chris Joseph University of California OL Jr. Solvang, Calif. 3.96 Geography
William Lee North Carolina State Univ. OL Gr. Fuquay-Varina, N.C 4.00 Mechanical Engineering
Josh Hoke Coastal Carolina Univ. PK Sr. Statesville, N.C. 3.99 Communications
NOTE: Three student-athletes received first-team honors at running due to a tie. Thus, only one player earned second-team recognition.
First Team-Defense
NAME SCHOOL POSITION YR. HOMETOWN GPA MAJOR
Brandon Cramer University of Dayton DB Jr. Toledo, Ohio 4.00 Biochemistry / Pre-Medicine
Will Meyers Indiana University DB Sr. Chesterfield, Mo. 3.64 Accounting
Adam Shada University of Iowa DB Jr. Omaha, Neb. 4.00 Finance
Craig Dahl North Dakota State Univ. DB Sr. Mankato, Minn. 3.58 Mechanical Engineering
Jay Henry West Virginia University LB Sr. Jenks, Okla. 4.00 Finance / Accounting
Paul Posluszny Penn State University LB Sr. Aliquippa, Pa. 3.56 Finance
Mike Klinkenborg University of Iowa LB Jr. Rock Rapids, Iowa 3.99 Elementary Education
Kyle Kinsell Davidson College DL Sr. Chapel Hill, N.C. 3.83 Biology
Ray Gensler Robert Morris University DL Sr. Pittsburgh, Pa. 3.91 Manufacturing Engineering
Tim Shaw Penn State University DL Sr. Livonia, Mich. 3.38 Management/Telecomm.
Daniel Bazuin Central Michigan Univ. DL Sr. McBain, Mich. 3.39 Marketing
Daniel Sepulveda Baylor University P Sr. Dallas, Texas 3.48 Business
Second Team-Offense
NAME SCHOOL POSITION YR. HOMETOWN GPA MAJOR
Paul Smith University of Tulsa QB Jr. Owasso, Okla. 3.78 Communication
Wes Doyle University of San Diego WR Jr. Phoenix, Ariz. 3.62 Business Administration
Lou Russo LaSalle University WR Sr. Marlton, N.J. 3.62 Finance Marketing
Zach Miller Arizona State University TE Jr. Phoenix, Ariz. 3.84 Marketing
Dane Todd University of Nebraska RB Gr. Lincoln, Neb. 4.00 Biological Sciences
Damien Gresko University of Rhode Island OL Jr. Huntington, Pa. 4.00 Accounting / Finance
Ed McCarthy Yale University OL Sr. Fairfield, Conn. 3.69 History
Dan Mozes West Virginia University OL Sr. Washington, Pa. 3.58 Communications
Joe Thomas Wisconsin OL Sr. Brookfield, Wis. 3.49 Business (Real Estate and
Urban Land Economics)
Ryne Nutt Central Connecticut St. Univ. OL Jr. Warren, Ohio 3.97 Accounting
Parker Douglass South Dakota State Univ. PK Jr. Columbus, Neb.
4.00 Biology
James Wilhoit University of Tennessee PK Gr. Hendersonville, Tenn.
3.60 Sports Psychology
Second Team-Defense
NAME SCHOOL POSITION YR. HOMETOWN GPA MAJOR
(Undergraduate)
Nolan McCready Penn State University DB Sr. Wyomissing, Pa. 3.61 Political Science
John Wendling University of Wyoming DB Sr. Rock Springs, Wyo. 3.43 Business Administration
David Frisbey Bucknell University DB Sr. Newark, Del. 3.54 Management (Finance)
Patrick ONeill University of San Diego DB So. Mission Viejo, Calif. 3.80 Business Administration
James Laurinaitis Ohio State University LB So. Hamel, Minn. 3.44 Real Estate & Urban Analysis
Jordan Senn Portland State University LB Jr. Beaverton, Ore. 3.84 Physical Activity & Exercise
Cody Kase University of New Mexico LB Jr. Valencia, Calif. 4.01 General Management
Eli Nichols Duke University DL Gr. Crawfordville, Fla. 3.57 Mechanical Engineering
Andrew Browning Boise State University DL Sr. Lake Oswego, Ore. 3.31 Communication
Darnell Smith Oklahoma State Univ. DL Sr. San Antonio, Texas 3.58 Economics & Intl. Business
Darren Schmidt Columbia University DL Sr. Cleveland, Ohio 3.75 Political Science
Kody Bliss Auburn University P Sr. Brentwood, Tenn. 3.45 Bus. Marketing /Adult Educ.
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA OF THE YEAR: Paul Posluszny, Penn State
2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Football Team (College Division)
as selected by CoSIDA
First Team-Offense
NAME SCHOOL POSITION YR. HOMETOWN GPA MAJOR
Jeff Highfill Bridgewater College Quarterback Jr. Roanoke, VA 3.94 Mathematics
Weston Dressler University of North Dakota Wide Receiver Jr. Bismarck, ND 3.79 Banking/Financial Economics
Evan Earnest Johns Hopkins University Wide Receiver Sr. Lancaster, PA 3.74 Mechanical Engineering
Christopher Ruggiero Massachusetts Inst. of Technology Tight End Sr. Manalapan, NJ 4.00 Mechanical Engineering
Dante Daniels Monmouth College Running Back Sr. Waukegan, IL 3.69 Physical Education
Danny Woodhead Chadron State College Running Back Jr. North Platte, NE 3.64 Math Education and Coaching
Mike Butterworth Slippery Rock University Offensive Line Jr. Northern Cambria, PA 4.00 Secondary Education/Mathematics
Rick Drushal The College of Wooster Offensive Line Sr. Lakeville, OH 3.71 Mathematics/ComputerScience
Shawn Herrmann Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Offensive Line Sr. Baldwinsville, NY 3.72 Aerospace Engineering/Mechanical Engineering
Steve Leppert Capital University Offensive Line Sr. Cincinnati, OH 3.90 Management/Marketing
Nicholas Zappia University of Rochester Offensive Line Sr. Canandaigua, NY 3.96 Economics/Statistics
Frank Leibfarth University of South Dakota Kicker Sr. Yankton, SD 3.93 Chemistry/Biology
First Team-Defense
NAME SCHOOL POSITION YR. HOMETOWN GPA MAJOR
Ben Bollard Central College Defensive Back Sr. Pella, IA 3.77 Computer Science
Michael Greenwood University of North Dakota Defensive Back Sr. Jamestown, ND 3.94 Biology
Aaron Lewis Carnegie Mellon University Defensive Back Sr. Englewood, OH 3.93 Business Administration
William Weller Illinois College Defensive Back Jr. Jacksonville, IL 4.00 Biology/Chemistry
Kyle Elsasser Nebraska Wesleyan University Linebacker Jr. Bancroft, NE 3.92 Physics
Michael Klobucher Ferris State University Linebacker Sr. Grand Haven, MI 4.00 Applied Biology
Jamie Steffensmeier Saint Johns University (MN) Linebacker Sr. Mankato, MN 3.84 Accounting
Bryan Vivaldo Wilkes University Linebacker Sr. Matamoras, PA 3.91 Accounting
Leon Douglas Missouri Western State University Defensive Line Sr. Kansas City, MO 3.89 Physical Education
Todd Eagle Humboldt State University Defensive Line Sr. Albany, CA 3.91 Liberal Studies/Elementary Education
Frank Marino Wingate University Defensive Line Sr. Matthews, NC 3.96 Finance
Ryan Meredith Pittsburg State University Defensive Line Sr. Bartlesville, OK 3.93 Management
Jovin Kroll University of Wisconsin-River Falls Punter Sr. Poplar, WI 3.91 English Education
(Athletic Coaching)
Second Team-Offense
NAME SCHOOL POSITION YR. HOMETOWN GPA MAJOR
Josh Brehm Alma College Quarterback Sr. Ithaca, MI 3.78 Business/Psychology
Kyle Duchman Wartburg College Wide Receiver Jr. Cedar Falls, IA 4.00 Biology
Ryan Robinson Rose-Hulman Inst. of Technology Wide Receiver Sr. Danville, IN 3.81 Civil Engineering
Andrew Neumann Augsburg College Tight End Sr. Somerset, WI 3.51 Elementary Education
Bryan Florendo Colorado School of Mines Running Back Sr. Crete, NE 3.87 Chemical Engineering
Mark Robinson St. John Fisher College Running Back Sr. Bath, NY 3.60 Communication/Journalism
Brian Freeman Carnegie Mellon University Offensive Line So. Independence, OH 4.00 Chemical/Biomedical Engineering
Matt Hoelscher Albright College Offensive Line Sr. Reading, PA 3.95 Elementary Education/Child & Family Studies
Steve Honeyman Whitworth College Offensive Line Sr. Kennewick, WA 3.95 International Business Economics
Derek Katris California University (PA) Offensive Line Sr. Columbus, OH 3.77 Secondary Education/Social Studies
Matthew Merrow Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Offensive Line Sr. Keene, NH 3.75 Aerospace Engineer/Mechanical Engineer
Glen Black Tusculum College Kicker Sr. Bristol, TN 3.82 Accounting Business Management & Mathematics
Second Team-Defense
NAME SCHOOL POSITION YR. HOMETOWN GPA MAJOR
Shawn Cunningham Winona State University Defensive Back Jr. Waukon, IA 3.76 Accounting
Nick Dellasega Pittsburg State University Defensive Back Jr. Pittsburg, KS 4.00 Accounting
Nick Noble Wartburg College Defensive Back Sr. Riceville, IA 3.76 Political Science
Andy Rape University of Rochester Defensive Back Jr. Zelienople, PA 3.86 Biomedical Engineering
Matt Alves Texas Lutheran University Linebacker Jr. Austin, TX 4.00 Business Administration
Jason Goeller University of Rochester Linebacker Sr. Pittsburgh, PA 3.62 Mechanical Engineering
Brad Scherer Concordia University (MN) Linebacker Sr. St. Joseph, MN 3.94 Business
Trent Sisson Carnegie Mellon University Linebacker Sr. Novi, MI 3.90 Business Administration/
Finance
Spencer Dickinson Minnesota State Univ.-Mankato Defensive Line Jr. New Ulm, MN 4.00 Pre-Med
Creed James Mesa State College Defensive Line Sr. Burlington, CO 3.96 Finance/Marketing
Matt Lemke John Carroll University Defensive Line Sr. Strongsville, OH 3.88 Biology and Chemistry
Matthew Murphy University of South Dakota Defensive Line Sr. Rapid City, SD 3.94 Business
Kevin Soflkiancs Baldwin-Wallace College Punter Jr. Middleburg Heights, OH 3.6 Business Administration/
Accounting
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA OF THE YEAR: Ryan Meredith, Pittsburg State University