DALLAS, October 25, 2007 – Selected as the best and the brightest from the college gridiron, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) today announced the 2007 National Scholar-Athlete winners, who will vie as the finalists for the Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth. The 15 individuals are:
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE - SCHOOL - POS. - MAJOR - HOMETOWN
FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION (FORMERLY DIVISION I-A)
• Alex Brink - Washington State University - QB - Sport Management - Coos Bay, Ore.
• John Carlson - University of Notre Dame - TE - History - Litchfield, Minn.
• Dennis Dixon - University of Oregon - QB – Sociology - San Leandro, Calif.
• Dallas Griffin - University of Texas - C - Business Honors / Finance - Katy, Texas
• Mike Klinkenborg - University of Iowa - LB - Elementary Education - Rock Rapids, Iowa
• J Leman - University of Illinois - LB - Speech Communications - Champaign, Ill.
• Brandon Renkart - Rutgers University - LB - Civil Engineering - South Bound Brook, N.J.
• Paul Smith - University of Tulsa - QB - Communications - Owasso, Okla.
• Jacob Tamme - University of Kentucky - TE - Integrated Strategic Comm. -Danville, Ky.
FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION (FORMERLY DIVISION I-AA)
• Nick Clark - Texas State University - DE - Mathematics - Fort Worth, Texas
• Brandon Cramer - University of Dayton - S - Pre-Medicine - Waterville, Ohio
DIVISION II
• Michael Eubanks - Delta State University (Miss.) - LB - Pre-Medicine -Cleveland, Miss.
• Danny Woodhead - Chadron State University (Neb.) - S - Math / Health & Phys. Ed. - North Platte, Neb.
DIVISION III
• Eric Safran - Mount Union College (Ohio) - C - Business Administration - Sagamore Hills, Ohio
• Jake Weller - Illinois College - DB - Biology / Chemistry - Jacksonville, Ill.
All 15 class members are team captains, and the group also boasts two perfect 4.0 grade point averages; eight Academic All-Americas; five All-America athletic performers; seven members of nationally ranked teams, including one No. 1 squad; nine athletic All-Conference picks; one Heisman Trophy contender; and the NCAA’s all-time career rushing leader. The finalists maintain one of the highest average class GPAs in NFF history, with a 3.74.
“This is the ultimate class of NFF National Scholar-Athletes,” said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. “We are so proud to honor this incredibly accomplished group of individuals, who epitomize what it means to be a leader in everything they do.”
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Selected by the NFF Awards Committee, the 15 National Scholar-Athlete Award recipients will be honored at the 2007 NFF Annual Awards Dinner, celebrating the organization’s 60th Anniversary, on December 4 at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City. The event will also include the induction of 14 of college football’s greatest legends into the College Football Hall of Fame and the presentation of several awards, including the Gold Medal and the Distinguished American Award.
“Just being nominated for this award means that you’re in an elite group, and this year, 153 nominees met the threshold to earn recognition as Draddy Trophy semifinalists,” said Robert E. Mulcahy III, chairman of the NFF Awards Committee and director of athletics at Rutgers University. “The committee carefully reviewed each nominee, and while all 153 are more than worthy of the honor, we have selected what we consider the best of the best as the Draddy Finalists, representing the nation’s finest scholar-athletes from all of college sports.”
Each will receive an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship, and one of the 15 will be announced as the recipient of the 2007 the Draddy Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best scholar-athlete in the nation. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent DePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and increases the winner’s scholarship to $25,000. A total distribution of more than $300,000 in scholarships will be awarded that evening.
Bios for the 2007 National Scholar-Athlete Award Winners
(In alphabetical order)
ALEX BRINK
Quarterback, Washington State University
Recipient of the F.M. Kirby National Scholar-Athlete Award
Funded by The National Football Foundation
On pace to become Washington State’s all-time leader in most passing and total offense categories, Alex Brink epitomizes the term “scholar-athlete,” earning numerous accolades both on and off the playing field.
A two-time Academic All Pac-10 First Team honoree, Brink is a Sport Management major and a member of WSU’s Honors College. Named the Outstanding Male Sport Management Student in 2006-07, he has made the WSU Honor Roll each of his last six semesters en route to garnering ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA All-Academic First Team laurels.
Equally impressive on the gridiron, the Coos Bay, Ore. native currently ranks third in Cougar history in passing attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns and is set to surpass WSU greats, including Drew Bledsoe, Ryan Leaf, Mark Rypien and Jack Thompson, in all passing and total offense categories. Brink earned All Pac-10 Second Team honors in 2006 and has thrown 175 passes for 2,079 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. He currently ranks in the top five nationally among active players in attempts (fourth), completions (fifth), yards (third) and touchdowns (fourth).
A two-time captain, he is a four-year member of the WSU Reading Buddies program, in which he spends 45 minutes each week reading to children at local elementary schools. Brink was also one of two Cougar student-athletes chosen for an exchange trip with International Christian University in Japan.
Brink is the fourth NFF National Scholar-Athlete from WSU, following Jason Hanson in 1991.
JOHN CARLSON
Tight End, University of Notre Dame
Recipient of the William V. Campbell National Scholar-Athlete Award
Considered one of the nation’s best tight ends, Notre Dame’s John Carlson has earned the respect of many for his unparalleled dedication to both athletics and academics.
A participant in Notre Dame’s Academic Honors Program, Carlson was named the 2006 Westwood One/State Farm Student-Athlete of the Year. The History major, with minors in Business and Technology, also earned ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA All-Academic First Team honors last season and hopes to attend law school.
Ranking third all-time for the Fighting Irish in receptions by a tight end, Carlson is a three-year starter for Notre Dame and finished 2006 as a Sports Illustrated.com Second Team All-America pick. The team captain was also named one of three finalists for the 2006 Mackey Award given to the top tight end in the country. This season, Carlson leads the Fighting Irish receiving tandem with 26 catches for 188 yards and one touchdown.
A Litchfield, Minn. native, he has been involved with the Tackle the Arts program, which is designed to educate and motivate children from low socioeconomic areas of South Bend, Ind., for four years. Carlson also speaks at Ryan’s Place for families who have lost loved ones and is a four-year participant in the Hematology and Oncology Christmas Party for children with cancer.
Tim Ruddy (1993) was the last Notre Dame player named an NFF National Scholar-Athlete. Carlson is the 14th winner in school history.
NICK CLARK
Defensive End, Texas State University
Successful in all aspects of life, Texas State’s Nick Clark has possessed the perfect blend of academic excellence, athletic prowess and community involvement.
Honored by the Texas State Department of Mathematics for academic excellence for four straight years, Clark graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and is currently working towards a master’s degree in Physics. A two-time Southland Conference/Capital One Academic All-Conference selection, he was also named Male Scholar Athlete of the Year at TSU for the 2006-07 season. Clark is a three-time recipient of the Oak Farms Dairy Cream of the Crop Award for tallying a perfect 4.0 GPA and was a First Team Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar pick.
A starter in every game of his college career, the Fort Worth, Texas native has been named a team captain and has registered 30 tackles this season, including team highs in tackles for a loss (4.5) and sacks (2.5). He was instrumental in anchoring the right defensive end position, as the Bobcats captured the 2005 Southland Conference championship. TSU co-defensive coordinator Kyle Tietz said, “Nick has worked every off season to really improve himself. He has phenomenal strength.”
A community leader, Clark has been annually involved in the Bobcat Build and Community ‘Cats outreach programs and participates in recreational activities with young cancer patients through Sunshine Kids. He is also a member of the Texas State Gospel Expressions and has played bass for his local church as well as for professional artists including Little Richard, Chaka Khan and The O’Jays.
Clark is Texas State’s first NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
BRANDON CRAMER
Safety, University of Dayton
Recipient of the Harold Alfond National Scholar-Athlete Award
Brandon Cramer is perhaps one of the finest student-athletes in Dayton history, playing nearly every down during his Flyer football career while maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
A three-time Academic All-Pioneer Football League selection, Cramer received the 2006-07 UD Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award presented to the Flyers’ top male student-athlete. He also earned the John L. Macbeth Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award as the football team’s top student. A two-time ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America choice, Cramer has made the Pioneer League Academic Honor Roll four times. Scoring in the 99th percentile on the MCAT, he hopes to attend medical school.
Hailing from Waterville, Ohio, he garnered All-Pioneer Football League honors twice and was named a Second Team I-AA Mid-Major All-America by The Football Gazette in 2006. Cramer has recorded 42 tackles, including two tackles for a loss, and two interceptions this season. He boasts at least one touchdown of more than 65 yards in each of the past three seasons at UD.
A busy man on campus, Cramer is president of Dayton’s chapter of Athletes in Action and a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a pre-health honor fraternity. He has volunteered at the Learning Enrichment Center of Dayton and at Toledo’s Children Hospital. A 2007 Relay for Life team member, Cramer participated in community blood drives and UD’s Christmas on Campus.
Cramer is the fifth Flyer named an NFF National Scholar-Athlete. Mark Kasmer was the last in 2002.
DENNIS DIXON
Quarterback, University of Oregon
Recipient of the National Football League Scholar-Athlete Award
One of college football’s most exciting players, Oregon’s Dennis Dixon successfully balances academic excellence with the pressure of being a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender this season.
A Sociology major, with a minor in Communication Studies, Dixon is a two-time Academic All Pac-10 selection on track to graduate this December. He has recorded a team-record 11 terms with a 3.0 grade point average or better and has earned a 3.5-plus GPA during six of those quarters.
Currently ranking fourth in the nation in completion percentage (69.35) and amassing more than 300 yards of total offense per game, the dual-threat Dixon finds himself in the national spotlight as the leader of the fifth-ranked Ducks. He has already been named Pac-10 Player of the Week twice this season, completing 138 passes for 1,728 yards and 16 touchdowns. Dixon was also named USA Today Player of the Week after a key win over Michigan on Sept. 8, 2007. He has thrown for nearly 5,000 yards during his career and is on pace to best Reggie Ogburn for the most yards rushed by an Oregon quarterback.
A multi-sport standout, the San Leandro, Calif. native was drafted in the fifth round of the Amateur Baseball Draft by Atlanta and spent much of last summer playing in the Braves’ minor league system. Despite his busy schedule, he still finds time to participate in local elementary school outreach programs and several other community service activities through Life Skills.
Dixon is the second Duck named an NFF National Scholar-Athlete, joining William Musgrave (1990).
MICHAEL EUBANKS
Linebacker, Delta State University (Miss.)
Recipient of the Coach Eddie Robinson National Scholar-Athlete Award
Funded by The George M. Steinbrenner Family and the New York Yankees Foundation
Arguably one of the greatest student-athletes in Delta State history, Michael Eubanks has tirelessly dedicated himself to his studies while establishing himself as one of the nation’s elite on the gridiron.
A three-time All-Gulf South Conference Academic Team selection, Eubanks has spent eight consecutive semesters on the DSU President’s List. He has also been named to the All-GSC Academic Honor Roll three times and was an ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America pick last season. A Biology major, with a minor in Chemistry, he plans to attend medical school and eventually hopes to improve the health conditions of underprivileged women.
Hailing from Cleveland, Miss., Eubanks is a two-time All-America pick and the reigning Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year. This season, he established school and conference records for career sacks (30.5) and tackles for a loss (53.5) and earned GSC Player of the Week honors for his stellar performance against Arkansas Tech.
Active within the community, he is a mentor reader for the Cleveland School District and serves as a youth group director and musician at his church.
Eubanks is the first NFF National Scholar-Athlete in DSU history.
DALLAS GRIFFIN
Center, University of Texas
Referred to as “the total package” by Texas head football coach Mack Brown, Dallas Griffin exemplifies what it takes to be a successful student-athlete at one of college football’s most storied institutions.
Having already graduated with a double major in Business Honors and Finance, Griffin is currently enrolled in UT’s prestigious MBA program at the Red McCombs School of Business. He is a three-time First Team Academic All-Big 12 selection and a nine-time member of UT’s Athletics Director’s Honor Roll. The Katy, Texas native twice earned Texas’ Provost Award for posting a perfect 4.0 grade point average during the academic year.
As starting center for the No. 19 Longhorns, Griffin is instrumental in helping UT outgain opponents by over 1,000 yards of total offense this season. Named to the Outland Trophy watch list, he is a key contributor to the success of the Big 12’s second-leading rushing attack. Named one of UT’s Most Improved Offensive Players in 2006, Griffin served as a team leader during the last two years, including the Longhorns’ 2005 National Championship season.
Griffin spends his summers gaining valuable career experience, having interned for College Football Hall of Famer and 2007 Gold Medal co-recipient Roger Staubach at The Staubach Company and at an Austin hedge fund. Still managing to find time to give back, he is active in UT’s community service program and volunteers for visits to the Austin Children’s Hospital and has assisted with the Children’s Miracle Network telethon.
Griffin is the ninth Longhorn named an NFF National Scholar-Athlete. Pat Fitzgerald (1996) was the school’s last awardee.
MIKE KLINKENBORG
Linebacker, University of Iowa
Recipient of the Jefferson Walker Kirby National Scholar-Athlete Award
A born leader, athletically, academically and in his local community, Mike Klinkenborg serves as the ideal role model on University of Iowa campus.
A regular on the Iowa Dean’s and President’s Lists, Klinkenborg has maintained a near-perfect grade point average en route to being named a First Team Academic All-America selection in 2006. The two-time ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA District VII Academic All-America pick is an Elementary Education major with a minor in Math Specialization.
Hailing from Rock Rapids, Iowa, the permanent team captain earned All-Big Ten honors in 2006 and has tallied 39 tackles, including one sack and one tackle for a loss, this season. Critical to the Hawkeyes’ red zone defense, ranked second in the Big Ten, he has been named to the Bednarik Award and Lott Trophy watch lists.
Klinkenborg serves as a youth counselor for the university’s sports camps and volunteers for the Iowa City Shelter House, the Ronald McDonald House and Camp Courageous. A participant in the Hawkeye Day of Caring, he is also a member of the football leadership group.
Derek Rose (1998) was the last Hawkeye named an NFF National Scholar-Athlete. Klinkenborg is the fifth honoree in Iowa history.
J LEMAN
Linebacker, University of Illinois
Recipient of the Coach Lou Saban National Scholar-Athlete Award
Funded by George M. Steinbrenner III
Highly regarded as one of the nation’s premier linebackers, Illinois’ J Leman carries his on-field excellence into the classroom and the community.
A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Leman is currently working towards a master’s degree in Human Resource Education. The Champaign, Ill. native finished his undergraduate coursework in Speech Communications in May 2006, twice earning ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District honors.
Coming off a successful junior campaign, where he garnered Sports Illustrated Honorable Mention All-America laurels, Leman was named a First Team All-Big Ten pick and a two-time Big Ten Player of the Week. He currently leads the Big Ten in tackles with 89, averaging just over 11 per game, and ranks tenth in the country in total tackles this season. He has already been tabbed a semifinalist for both the Rotary Lombardi and Butkus Awards.
Heavily involved in his church, The Vineyard, where his father is a pastor, Leman is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and participates in the Hometown Heroes campus-wide community service program. He also led the football team’s summer community service project to raise money for a local children’s home.
Leman becomes the seventh Fighting Illini named an NFF National Scholar-Athlete, following Josh Whitman in 2000.
BRANDON RENKART
Linebacker, Rutgers University
Recipient of the Robert A. Simms National Scholar-Athlete Award
Described as a leader and mentor for the Rutgers football program, Brandon Renkart has also excelled academically by tackling the rigors of a Civil Engineering major with aplomb.
Hailing from South Bound Brook, N.J., Renkart is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma National Athletic Fraternity as well as the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. The two-time All-Big East Academic Team selection has registered Dean’s List recognition seven of his eight semesters, and currently ranks fourth in his class in civil engineering.
A former walk-on, Renkart worked his way through the Rutgers football program to become a two-year starter for the Scarlet Knights. Head football coach Greg Schiano said, “Brandon has been the consummate student-athlete throughout his career at Rutgers.” The team captain has registered 44 tackles this season, including six tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. He was also voted by his teammates as a member of the team’s leadership council.
Renkart is a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and participates in Rutgers’ community outreach program. He has visited local elementary schools and children’s hospitals. A volunteer speaker at football clinics, he also serves as a mentor for area school systems.
Following 2006 Draddy winner Brian Leonard, Renkart is the fifth NFF National Scholar-Athlete in Scarlet Knight history.
ERIC SAFRAN
Center, Mount Union College (Ohio)
Recipient of the William Pearce/Joseph V. Paterno National Scholar-Athlete Award
Funded by William A. Schreyer
The anchor of an offensive line in one the nation’s most dominant football programs in history, Eric Safran’s leadership has led to numerous accolades on and off the field, highlighted by back-to-back Division III National Championship titles for Mount Union College.
Carrying a Business Administration major, with minors in Mathematics and Economics, Safran is a member of the Tau Pi Phi and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Fraternities. Named to the First Team ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA All-Academic Team in 2006, he also earned recognition as an All-Ohio Athletic Conference academic performer and registered five semesters on the Mount Union Dean’s List.
A two-year starter for the Purple Raiders, Safran has been instrumental in continuing Mount Union’s run at the nation’s longest winning streak in college football history (55 games). He was named a First Team All-OAC pick in 2006 and a Second Team All-America selection by d3football.com. Currently ranked No. 1 in the AFCA Division III Coaches’ Poll, Mount Union has outscored opponents 395-24 and outpaced rivals by more than 3,000 yards of total offense this season thanks in large part to Safran’s efforts.
A three-year participant in the Raider Buddy Program, the Sagamore Hills, Ohio native dedicates his spare time to mentoring underprivileged elementary school students in the local area.
Safran is honored as Mount Union’s first NFF National Scholar-Athlete winner.
PAUL SMITH
Quarterback, University of Tulsa
A remarkable talent both on and off the playing field, Tulsa’s Paul Smith successfully balances athletics and academics with one of the lengthiest community service schedules for a student-athlete in the nation.
The reigning Conference USA Scholar-Athlete of the Year for Football, Smith earned ESPN The Magazine/ CoSIDA Second Team Academic All-America honors in 2006. He has been named to Tulsa’s President’s List five times and to the Dean’s List twice, while also earning recognition as a member of the Athletics Director’s Honor Roll. The Communications major plans to pursue a postgraduate degree in Management.
On pace to set school records in both career passing and all-time total offense, Smith garnered C-USA Second Team laurels in 2006 en route to being named the MVP of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. This season, the Owasso, Okla. native has completed 168 passes for 2,528 yards and 21 touchdowns. The two-time team captain leads the conference in passing and total offense, averaging 361 and 366 yards respectively.
An active participant in community service, Smith has been a guest speaker at nearly 20 events in the Tulsa area this year alone. He also leads Praise & Worship at Fellowship of Christian Athletes meetings every Tuesday of the academic year. The AFCA Good Works Team honoree has volunteered for the Tulsa Inner-City Camp and visits local elementary schools and children’s hospitals.
Smith is the third Golden Hurricane named an NFF National Scholar-Athlete, following Garrett Mills as the latest in 2005.
JACOB TAMME
Tight End, University of Kentucky
Recipient of the John H. McConnell National Scholar-Athlete Award
Widely regarded as one of the country’s premier tight ends, Jacob Tamme’s résumé off the playing field is as impressive as the No. 14 Wildcats’ place in national spotlight this season.
Currently working towards his MBA, Tamme earned a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times en route to completing his bachelor’s degree in Integrated Strategic Communications in 2006. The two-time ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District IV honoree was named to the Athletics Directors Honor Roll and is a three-time member of the UK Dean’s List.
Hailing from Danville, Ky., Tamme garnered All-SEC First Team laurels in 2006. Named to the Mackey Award watch list this season, the 6-foot-5, 240-pounder has recorded 28 receptions for 304 yards and four touchdowns for the SEC’s no. 1 scoring offense, including critical touchdown passes the last two weeks against conference foes LSU and Florida.
Considered one of the most active participants in the history of UK’s community outreach program, Tamme has served as a volunteer peer instructor for summer orientation classes and has visited UK’s Children’s Hospital and the Veterans Administration Hospital for numerous events. He also participated in the American Heart Walk, Big Blue Caravan and the Fayette County Schools’ Summer VERB Finale.
Tamme is the fourth Wildcat honored as an NFF National Scholar-Athlete. Kentucky’s last winner was Jeff Zurcher in 1988.
JAKE WELLER
Defensive Back, Illinois College
Recipient of the E. Douglas Kenna National Scholar-Athlete Award
A perfect 4.0 grade point average student, a team captain and an active volunteer, Illinois College’s Jake Weller possesses all the key ingredients for success on and off the college gridiron.
A Biology and Chemistry major, Weller earned the American Chemistry Society’s POLYED Organic Chemistry Award and was named to the 2006 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team. A Rammelkamp Honors Scholar, he received “Who’s Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges” laurels and garnered the Ruth L. Fosnaugh Award for foreign language excellence. He is also a two-time Academic All-Midwest Conference performer.
The two-year captain and Jacksonville, Ill. native holds the Illinois College record for the longest interception return for a touchdown (99 yards) and was tabbed team defensive MVP in 2006. Named Midwest Conference Defensive Performer of the Week this season, he has recorded 40.5 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for a loss, and two interceptions in 2007 for the Blueboys.
Weller serves on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and as treasurer of the Beta Beta Beta Academic Honor Society. He volunteered at Camp Care A Lot and the Special Olympics and was a member of the Students Crossing Borders fundraising committee. He is also an usher at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Jake Weller is the first NFF National Scholar-Athlete in Illinois College history.
DANNY WOODHEAD
Tailback, Chadron State College (Neb.)
College football’s all-time leading rusher for all divisions and a dedicated scholar, few can match the unparalleled success that has followed Chadron State’s Danny Woodhead throughout his college career.
A native of North Platte, Neb., the Math and Health & Physical Education double major earned ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA First Team College Division Academic All-America honors in 2006 and was selected to the Blue Key National Honor Society. A five-time member of the CSC Dean’s List, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in Education.
Earlier this season, Woodhead became the most prolific rusher in college football history, breaking Grove City College’s (Pa.) R.J. Bowers’ all-time career rushing record of 7,353 yards. Since then, the reigning Harlon Hill Trophy winner has amassed over 7,500 career rushing yards and 94 touchdowns for the Eagles. In 2006, he became college football’s first 2,700-yard season rusher and led all divisions in all-purpose yards (3,158) and scoring (228 points). Woodhead is also the first college player to rush for more than 200 yards 17 times in a career.
Woodhead actively participates in Campus Crusade for Christ and has been a speaker at numerous college functions. He also contributes to reading programs at local elementary schools.
Woodhead is the first Eagle honored as an NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
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