Known in many circles as the "Academic" Heisman, the Draddy Trophy
continues to be one of college football's most sought after and
competitive awards, recognizing an individual as the absolute best in
the country for his combined academic success, football performance and
exemplary community leadership.
Florida is one of four schools in the nation to have more than one
recipient of the trophy as Brad Culpepper received the award in 1991 and
Danny Wuerffel was the 1996 recipient.
Mike Degory has started all 43 games of his collegiate career for the
Gators, the longest current streak in the Southeastern Conference that
is seven shy of the school record. Majoring in Physical Education
Teaching, he is also pursuing an Education and Business minor. Degory is
a two-time member of the SEC Good Works Team for his involvement in the
community. In addition, he has volunteered with Goodwill Gators, J.J.
Finley and Lawton Chiles Elementary Schools and Jump Rope for Heart
benefiting the American Heart Association.
"The Draddy epitomizes everything right about college football,"
said NFF President Steven J. Hatchell. "By recognizing this group, we
highlight the countless hours and demands that each college football
player must balance as they pursue their dreams of a higher education
and their passion for football. The NFF has both the privilege and
responsibility to pay tribute to this exceptional group of role models,
who truly embody the term student-athlete."
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each,
semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year
of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have
outstanding football ability as a first-team player, and have
demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Established to honor
former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College
quarterback who founded the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes
with a stunning 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000
post-graduate scholarship.
With a 3.5 average GPA and majors such as biomedical engineering, the
group includes 106 players who have earned all-conference recognition on
the field and 125 captains. The offensive line produced the most
nominees with 45. Linebackers came in second with 30 candidates. Offense
outscored the defense with 88 to 80 hopefuls. The 16 special teams
aspirants complete the contingent. Nominees hail from all NCAA divisions
and the NAIA: 63 from Division I-A; 44 from Division I-AA; 20 from
Division II; 43 from Division III; and 14 from the NAIA.
The NFF Awards Committee, comprised of former coaches, Hall of Famers
and college administrators, will select and announce 15 finalists on
Oct. 27. The winner, also selected by the committee, will be announced
at the 48th NFF Awards Dinner on December 6 at the Waldorf-Astoria in
New York City.Each finalist will also be recognized that night as part
of the 2005 National Scholar-Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000
post-graduate scholarship.
DIVISION I-A
- Anderson, David; Colorado State
- Avant, Jason; Michigan
- Basanez, Brett; Northwestern
- Bassler, Blade; Houston
- Bazaldua, Nick; North Texas
- Betts, Josh; Miami (Ohio)
- Bienemann, Troy; Washington State
- Bracken, Richard; Arkansas
- Brooks, Darrell; Arizona
- Castillo, David; Florida State
- Clary, Jeromy; Kansas State
- Culver, Lanell; Fresno State
- Dawson, Trinity; Toledo
- Day, Timothy; Oregon
- Degory, Mike; Florida
- Dewan, Brendan; Duke
- Eslinger, Greg; Minnesota
- Foltz, Ryan; California
- Fredrick, Nate; Utah State
- Gostkowski, Stephen; Memphis
- Green, John; U.S. Naval Academy
- Gross, John; Temple
- Haas, Robert; Western Michigan
- Hoyte, Brandon; Notre Dame
- Huffman, Atonino; Kentucky
- Hughes, Connor; Virginia
- Jennings, Kelly; Miami (FL)
- Johnson, Darcy; Central Florida
- Johnson, Luke; Southern Mississippi
- Justice, Doug; North Carolina
- Kane, Kevin; Kansas
- King, Jeffrey; Virginia Tech
- Kirkwood, Gregory; U.S. Air Force Academy
- Lorello, Mike; West Virginia
- Love, Grayling; Arizona State
- Lumpkin, William; Indiana
- Miller, Matthew; Ohio
- Mills, Michael; Tulsa
- Mullins, James; Marshall
- Neill, Ryan; Rutgers
- Niswanger, Rudy; Louisiana State
- Obomanu, Benjamin; Auburn
- Pace, Andrew; Vanderbilt
- Person, Francis; South Carolina
- Reis, Christopher; Georgia Tech
- Robinson, Michael; Pennsylvania State
- Ryans, DeMeco; Alabama
- Sanders, Aaron; Buffalo
- Scandrett, Devarick; Middle Tennessee St.
- Schnittker, Brandon; Ohio State
- Sessler, Jon; Kent State
- Shimmelman, Kevin; Stanford
- Shockley, D.J.; Georgia
- Smith, Bradley; Missouri
- Swiger, Jason; Akron
- Thaler, Mike; Bowling Green State
- Thomas, John; Texas
- Toone, Spencer; Utah
- Torp, John; Colorado
- Traina, Matthew; Tulane
- Turner, Matthew; Purdue
- Wenger, Edward; Florida International
- White, Spencer; Brigham Young
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