Complete Draddy Trophy Semifinalist Release

MOORHEAD, Minn. (10/03/08) -- Concordia senior defensive back Levi DeVries (Bejou, Minn./Mahnomen HS) was named as a semifinalist for the prestigious Draddy Trophy it was announced by The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) on Friday. DeVries is one of 164 football athletes to be named as a semifinalist and one of only two players from the MIAC to earn the nomination. St. John's running back Jeff Schnobrich was also named as a semifinalist.

Devries is a Physics and Mathematics double major who carries a 3.97 grade point average. On the field he is a four-year starter and one of the four co-captains this season. Devries is a three-time MIAC All-Academic honoree and has been a member of the Dean's List every semester at Concordia. He was also inducted into the Sigma Pi Sigma honor society for Physics and received the Randy Kurt Bartholomaus Scholarship.

DeVries has played in all 36 games since coming to Concordia in the fall of 2005. This year he is tied for seventh on the team in tackles and has three pass break-ups and one forced fumble. Over the course of his career he has 73 total tackles including 48 solo tackles. He also has three career interceptions.

In 2006 DeVries led the team in kick returns (13), yards (286) and was second on the team in kick return average (20.6).

In Concordia's breakout win over St. John's earlier this season DeVries led the team in tackles with eight and forced one fumble and broke up one pass. The eight tackles was a career high for DeVries.

The Draddy Trophy is one of the top honors in college football as it takes into consideration a player's on field accomplishments as well as their success in the classroom and community activities.

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 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. 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 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.

“The Draddy semifinalists represent everything good about college football,” said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. “They are another fine example of how football builds leaders, and it is the NFF’s duty to promote their accomplishments while encouraging future generations of gridiron standouts to aim high on and off the football field.”

The NFF Awards Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 29. Each finalist will be recognized as part of the 2008 National Scholar-Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. The Draddy winner, who will receive a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship, will be announced at the NFF’s Annual Awards Dinner on December 9 at the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. A total distribution of more than $300,000 in scholarships will be awarded that evening.

Launched in 1959, the NFF scholar-athlete program became the first initiative in history to credit a player for both academic and athletic accomplishments. The Draddy, first awarded in 1990, adds to the program’s mystique, having previously honored two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist and a Heisman winner. The University of Texas’s Dallas Griffin was named the 2007 Draddy recipient.