SAC Places 10 On ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Football Teams

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Ten football players from the South Atlantic Conference, including five from Tusculum College, have been named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District teams.

Seven of the 10 were named to the first team, and will be on the ballot for Academic All-American.

Tusculum's Jarrell NeSmith and Justin Higgins were named to the First Team in District IV, while John Gregory, Ryan Tallent and Drew Noe earned Second Team honors.

Wingate's Greg Keziah and Cam LeGrand; Newberry's Derrick Hines and Corky Howell and Mars Hill's Caleb Lott were all named to the First Team in District III.

Jarrell NeSmith	Justin Higgins
John Gregory	Ryan Tallent
Drew Noe	Greg Keziah
Cam LeGrand	Derrick Hines
Corky Howell	Caleb Lott

District III (college division) includes all non-NCAA Division I schools (Division II, III and NAIA) in Florida, Georgia, Virginia and North and South Carolina. To be nominated for ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® honors, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore with a 3.2 cumulative grade point average and must be a starter or a significant reserve on his team.

District IV includes which includes all colleges and universities from Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Ohio and Michigan.

Members of the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team are selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America,

Jarrell NeSmith, Justin Higgins, John Gregory, Ryan Tallent, Drew Noe

BRISTOL, Conn. -- The Tusculum College football team had five players named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV College Division Team, announced College officials Thursday.

NeSmith and Higgins now advance to the Academic All-America® ballot, which will be announced later this month.

NeSmith, a sophomore tight end from Russellville, Ala., has posted a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average, while majoring in Pre-Medicine. NeSmith, a 6-2, 215-pound product, has started in all 10 games for Tusculum and is third on the team in receiving with 25 receptions for 259 yards and two touchdowns. He is a member of the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll and the Tusculum Athletic Director's Honor Roll. He is also on the Dean's List, President's List and Charles Oliver Gray Honors List.

Higgins, a 5-10, 165-pound senior kicker from Pelzer, S.C., has a 3.71 GPA while majoring in Business Administration. He leads the team in scoring with 43 points, making 28-of-31 extra points and tallying five field goals. Two of those field goals proved to be the winning margin in victories over nationally-ranked Wingate (31-28) and Catawba (31-28).

Gregory, a 6-2, 220-pound sophomore punter from Ooltewah, Tenn,, has a 3.71 GPA and is majoring in Sports Management. Gregory earned All-SAC First Team and All-Region honors in 2006 after leading the league in punting. He is leading the SAC in punting again this year, averaging 41.2 yards per punt, which is ninth in NCAA Division II. Gregory, a 2007 Preseason All-America selection, has been named SAC Special Teams Player of the Week four times this year and on seven occasions during his collegiate career. He is a SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll and Athletic Director's Honor Roll selection and is the team's Student Athlete Advisory Council representative.

Tallent, a 5-10, 210-pound sophomore receiver from Maryville, Tenn., has a 3.55 GPA, majoring in Education. Tallent leads the league averaging 6.22 receptions per game, which is 19th in the nation. He is second in the SAC in receiving yards (71.8 ypg) and is fourth in all-purpose yardage per game (114.8 ypg). Tallent has made 56 catches for 646 yards and six touchdowns. He is also the team's leader in punt returns (9.3 ypr) and is second in kickoff return average (19.6 ypr). He is a SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll and Athletic Director's Honor Roll selection.

Noe (pronounced NO-EE), a 6-5, 305 pound offensive lineman from Bushnell, Fla., has a 3.59 GPA in Biology. Noe has started at left tackle for the Pioneers in all 10 games this season. He was named to the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll and the TC Athletic Director's Honor Roll.

Tusculum's five honorees were tied for the most of any school in the District (Mount Union also had five selections).

Tusculum (6-4, 4-1 SAC) wraps up the regular season this Saturday when the Pioneers travel to No. 11 Carson-Newman (9-1, 4-1 SAC) for a 1 p.m. contest at Burke-Tarr Stadium. The winner of the game will claim at least a share of the Conference Championship.

Greg Keziah, Cameron LeGrand

Wingate, N.C. -- Two Wingate University football student-athletes have been named ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III football first team (college division), selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America).

Both student-athletes are repeat performers from 2006: redshirt senior offensive lineman Greg Keziah (Charlotte, N.C.) and redshirt junior offensive lineman Cam LeGrand (Concord, N.C.). Keziah earns a triple crown, as the Independence High School product is a three-time Academic All-District III selection.

Greg Keziah has started every game for the Bulldogs during his four seasons (42 games, 42 starts). In the classroom, Keziah is a Psychology major with a 3.33 GPA. Keziah and his 17 senior teammates have compiled the most wins of any senior college class in Bulldog history (27 victories entering Saturday's 2007 season finale at Mars Hill College).

Keziah and the Bulldog offensive line have played a big role in Wingate's offensive successes. Wingate led the SAC in passing offense in 2006 (273.8 yards per game). This year, the Bulldogs have achieved a good balance. Wingate has the number two rusher in the SAC (redshirt freshman tailback Nelson Woods, 104.4 yards per game) in 2007. In addition, the Bulldogs are third in the league in passing offense (242.0 yards per game).

Cameron LeGrand is a two-year starter for the Bulldogs. During his two seasons as a starter, LeGrand has helped Wingate compile a 14-7 overall record (through games of Nov. 3, 2007). LeGrand helped Wingate lead the SAC in passing offense (273.8 yards per game) last season. In addition, the 2006 Bulldogs charted number two in the SAC in total offense (342.7 yards per game).

LeGrand is a graduate of Northwest Cabarrus High School. A Management major, he maintains a 3.52 GPA. Both LeGrand and Keziah show up every semester on the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Wingate University is ranked tied for fourth in the top 10 of NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000's with 25 honorees during this millennium. Wingate's 34 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,041 students, offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, world travel, faith development, career discovery and community service.

Wingate offers more than 40 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, education, physical education and sport administration and the doctor of pharmacy degree.

In the spring of 2007, Wingate University awarded its first-ever doctor of pharmacy degrees. Bulldog student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division II sports.

Derrick Hines, Corky Howell

BRISTOL, Conn. - Newberry College's Derrick Hines and Corky Howell have been named to the 2007 ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District III Football team, it was announced today. The award makes both players eligible for Academic All-American Honors.

Hines, a senior from Spartanburg, S.C., is a three-year member of the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll and has broken into the starting lineup at right guard this season. He is majoring in physical education and teacher certification.

Howell, a senior from Greer, S.C., has been a consistent starter at outside linebacker for the Indians and is also a three-year member of the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll. He has 108 career tackles, as well as two sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

Both players will be honored at the Senior Night game against Brevard College on Saturday at 7 p.m.

District III (college division) includes all non-NCAA Division I schools (Division II, III and NAIA) in Florida, Georgia, Virginia and North and South Carolina. Student-athletes selected for Academic All-District honors must be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic credentials. They must possess at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 scale). They must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing and must have completed at least one full academic year at their institution.

Caleb Lott

BRISTOL, Conn. - Mars Hill's Caleb Lott has been named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District III College Division Football First Team announced officials Thursday.

Lott, a 6-0, 175-pound junior defensive back is from Lenoir, NC. Lott attended Hibriten High School. Lott carries a 3.75 grade point average as a Athletic Training Major. This season Lott has made 25 tackles, 16 solo, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and has five pass break-ups.

College Division
(District III)

FIRST TEAM

QB Jeff Highfill BRIDGEWATER Sr. Roanoke, Va. 3.84 Mathematics
WR Drew Smith HAMPDEN-SYDNEY Sr. Richmond, Va. 3.73 Biology
WR McKay Dunn SOUTHERN VIRGINIA Sr. Friendswood, Texas 3.58 Business
TE Zach Parker VALDOSTA STATE Sr. Valdosta, Ga. 3.40 Public relations
RB Matt Assenat EMORY & HENRY Sr. Troutville, Va. 3.68 Business admin.
OL Derrick Hines NEWBERRY (SC) Sr. Spartanburg, S.C. 3.74 Physical education/teacher certification
OL Jonathon Gladden APPRENTICE SCHOOL Sr. Charlotte, N.C. 3.77 Business administration
OL Cameron LeGrand WINGATE Jr. Concord, N.C. 3.52 Management
OL Greg Keziah WINGATE Sr. Charlotte, N.C. 3.33 Psychology
OL Kyle Kuhn N.C. WESLEYAN Sr. Clayton, N.C. 3.51 History
K Luke Hawk EMORY & HENRY Jr. Blountville, Tenn. 3.85 Biology, environmental studies
DB Mark Snoddy WASHINGTON & LEE Sr. Atlanta, Ga. 3.81 Biochemistry
DB Kyle Luby WASHINGTON & LEE Sr. Dallas, Texas 3.52 Economics
DB Caleb Massengill PRESBYTERIAN Sr. Watkinsville, Ga. 3.4 Business administration
DB Caleb Lott MARS HILL Jr. Lenoir, N.C. 3.75 Athletic training
LB Carl Howell NEWBERRY (SC) Sr. Greer, S.C. 3.88 Biology
LB Ben Robertson VIRGINIA-WISE Sr. Morehead City, N.C. 3.72 Math, physical education
LB Wes Fry SHENANDOAH Sr. Germantown, Md. 3.86 Political science, kinesiology
DL Travis Harrison VALDOSTA STATE Sr. Jesup, Ga. 3.61 Exercise physiology
DL Scott Russell WASHINGTON & LEE Jr. Mendham, N.J. 3.50 Business administration
DL Matt Baldwin EMORY & HENRY Jr. Jefferson, N.C. 3.68 Business, education
DL Andrew Sims WASHINGTON & LEE Jr. Silver Spring, Md. 3.81 Business administration
P Chris Dooley SHENANDOAH Sr. Laurel, Md. 3.54 Biology

College Division (District IV)
FIRST TEAM
QB Greg Micheli MOUNT UNION Jr. Upper Sandusky, Ohio 3.82 Mathematics, physics/astronomy
WR Keith White MICHIGAN TECH Jr. Rhinelander, Wis. 3.96 Mechanical engineering
WR Mike Benson KALAMAZOO Sr. Lexington, Ky. 4.00 Biology
TE Jarrell NeSmith TUSCULUM So. Russellville, Ala. 4.00 Pre-medicine
RB Andy Vanover WITTENBERG Sr. Tipp City, Ohio 3.74 Management
RB Jimmy LaPinska MARYVILLE Sr. Venice, Fla. 3.64 Business and organizational mgt.
OL Eric Safran MOUNT UNION Sr. Sagamore Hills, Ohio 3.68 Business
OL Derek Blanchard MOUNT UNION Sr. Lake Zurich, Ill. 3.67 Health, physical education
OL Steve Zumbrun WOOSTER Sr. Pittsburgh, Pa. 3.63 Psychology
OL Chris Center CASE WESTERN RESERVE Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio 3.58 Mechanical engineering
OL Robert Colpoys URBANA Jr. Niagara Falls, N.Y. 3.8 Chemistry
K Justin Higgins TUSCULUM Sr. Pelzer, S.C. 3.71 Business administration
DB Justin Ross OTTERBEIN Sr. Canal Winchester, Ohio 3.73 Business administration, economics
DB Josh Cowgill KENYON Sr. Sciotoville, Ohio 3.64 Molecular biology
DB Chris Kappas MOUNT UNION Sr. Pittsburgh, Pa. 3.69 Health, physical education
DB Austin Netzley OHIO NORTHERN Sr. Piqua, Ohio 3.54 Mechanical engineering
LB Carter Shaver MARIETTA Sr. Trotwood, Ohio 3.87 Petroleum engineering
LB Patrick O'Neal UNION (KY) Sr. Lula, Ga. 3.62 Special education, criminal justice
LB Kevin Weber URBANA Sr. Orchard Park, N.Y. 3.7 Business
LB Tom Brew CASE WESTERN RESERVE Sr. Mentor, Ohio 3.34 Chemistry, sociology
DL Jake Visser FERRIS STATE Jr. Coopersville, Mich. 3.85 History education
DL Marc Miller OLIVET Sr. Sunfield, Mich. 3.63 Biology (pre-med concentration)
DL Erik Schumacher FERRIS STATE Sr. Lake Isabella, Mich. 3.98 Accountancy
DL Daniel Foti CASE WESTERN RESERVE Jr. New Richmond, Ohio 3.84 Aerospace engineering
P Kevin Soflkiancs BALDWIN-WALLACE Sr. Middleburg Heights, Ohio 3.72 Business admin., accounting

SECOND TEAM
QB A.J. Milwee NORTH ALABAMA Jr. Boaz, Ala. 3.29 Business management
WR Lucas Bauer HEIDELBERG Jr. Huron, Ohio 3.72 Education
WR Ryan Tallent TUSCULUM So. Maryville, Tenn. 3.55 Education
WR Chad McDaniel MARIETTA Sr. Wooster, Ohio 3.34 Marketing
TE Zachary Benko ALBION Sr. Blissfield, Mich. 3.41 English
RB Matt Harmon JOHN CARROLL Jr. River Forest, Ill. 3.55 Political science
RB Nick Moore MARYVILLE So. Knoxville, Tenn. 3.46 Business and organizational mgt.
OL Frank Lietke WAYNE STATE Sr. Walled Lake, Mich. 3.31 Finance
OL Vince Cashdollar ASHLAND Sr. Newark, Ohio 3.51 Integrated language arts
OL Drew Noe TUSCULUM Jr. Bushnell, Fla. 3.59 Biology
OL Broc Dial BALDWIN-WALLACE Jr. Canal Fulton, Ohio 3.36 History, education
OL Patrick Smith OHIO NORTHERN So. Loveland, Ohio 3.28 Mechanical engineering
OL Chad Riney CENTRE Sr. Prospect, Ky. 3.45 Financial economics & government
K Scott Shurden NORTH ALABAMA Gr. Noxapater, Miss. 3.67 Secondary education
DB Brett Glass OTTERBEIN Sr. Plain City, Ohio 3.73 Life science
DB Eric Wenzler OHIO NORTHERN So. Springboro, Ohio 3.41 Pharmacy
DB Matt McDonald JOHN CARROLL Sr. Green, Ohio 3.28 Business
DB Jeff Geffert WOOSTER Sr. Mentor, Ohio 3.47 Communication studies
LB Luke Chronister BALDWIN-WALLACE Sr. Ashland, Ohio 3.49 Early childhood education
LB Brandon Kohrs THOMAS MORE So. Newport, Ky. 3.83 Biology
DL Pat McCullough MOUNT UNION Sr. Wyoming, Mich. 3.39 Spanish
DL Andrew Bates WAYNE STATE Jr. Howell, Mich. 3.51 Kinesiology
DL Matt Grieves HEIDELBERG So. Huron, Ohio 3.45 Psychology
DL Jeremiah Chronister BALDWIN-WALLACE Jr. Ashland, Ohio 3.31 Marketing, finance
P John Gregory TUSCULUM So. Ooltewah, Tenn. 3.71 Sports management