Wide receiver Briggs Orsbon was named a first team Academic All-American on Thursday by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Orsbon is the first Academic All-American from Ball State since offensive lineman Travis Barclay in 2002 and 2003.
Orsbon, a double major in risk management and finance, has a perfect 4.0 GPA. He led Ball State with 66 catches for 649 yards and four touchdowns. He ranks second for career receptions and fifth for career receiving yards at Ball State.
He was named second team All-Mid-American Conference last week.
The Academic All-American team is led this year by Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, who was named Academic All-American of the Year, while leading the Cardinal to the Fiesta Bowl.
Two other MAC players were also honored. Western Michigan kicker John Potter was a first-team selection, while Central Michigan wide receiver Cody Wilson made the second team.
The Academic All-Americans are chosen based on performance on and off the field. Players must at least be sophomores and have a GPA of at least 3.30. Most have GPAs well above the minimum, however. The average GPA on the first team was 3.82 and the lowest was 3.46 from Army defensive lineman Zach Watts, who is majoring in engineering management.
First team Academic All-Americans
QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
WR Pat Kelly, Liberty
WR Briggs Orsbon, Ball State
TE Justin Aldredge, Northwestern State
RB Rex Burkhead, Nebraska
RB Chris Ganious, South Dakota
OL John Dowd, Navy
OL Barrett Jones, Alabama
OL David Pickard, Southern Illinois
OL Nate Potter, Boise State
OL Patrick Ward, Northwestern
K John Potter, Western Michigan
DB Austin Cassidy, Nebraska
DB Tysyn Hartman, Kansas State
DB Kevyn Scott, Syracuse
DB Alex Sewall, Indiana State
DB Steve Wirkus, Dayton
LB Tim Bolte, Bucknell
LB Joe Holland, Purdue
LB Andrew Rodriguez, Army
DL Bobby Alt, Montana
DL Ben Boothby, Northern Iowa
DL David Niumatalolo, New Mexico State
DL Bryan Waldhauser, Montana
DL Zach Watts, Army
P Drew Butler, Georgia
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