Davis named Draddy Trophy semifinalist

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas punter Jeremy Davis was named to the Draddy Trophy semifinalists list on Wednesday by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame. The Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, and the 2008 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards are some of college football’s oldest and most prestigious honors for academics and football ability.

Every school in the nation regardless of division was asked to nominate a student-athlete for the award and Wednesday’s announcement narrowed the list to 164 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA.

Davis, a senior from Fort Smith, Ark., is averaging 42.5 yards per punt this season with a season long of 56 yards. He ranks fifth in the Southeastern Conference and 25th in the NCAA in punt average and holds the sixth longest punt in the SEC this season. Davis is also Arkansas’ holder on field goal and point after attempts.

Arkansas’ semifinalist is one of 57 student-athletes selected from the Football Bowl Subdivision and one of five from the SEC. He is also one of 19 special teams players to make it to the semifinalist stage.

To be eligible for the Draddy Trophy, student-athletes must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of athletic eligibility and have a minimum grade point average of 3.2. Nominees must also be a significant contributor to their team and have demonstrated leadership and citizenship characteristics.

The next cut for the Draddy Trophy will be announced on Oct. 29 and will recognize 15 finalists for the 25-pound bronze statue and $25,000 post-graduate scholarship. Each finalist for the Draddy is awarded an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. The presentation of the award is scheduled for Dec. 9, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.

For more information regarding Razorback football or University of Arkansas athletics please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.