Big East News Articles
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Cincinnati linebacker JK Schaffer, a two-time all-conference player and a member of three BIG EAST championship teams, has been chosen as the 2011 American Eagle Outfitters BIG EAST Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The selection was made by the conference’s Academic Affairs Committee and is presented on the basis of academic credentials and athletic performance.
A senior from Cincinnati, Ohio, Schaffer will receive a $2,000 scholarship, which may be applied to graduate or professional studies. The Conference also announced the 182 players who were chosen to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team.
Schaffer was a two-year captain during Cincinnati’s most prosperous run in program history. He is just the fourth player in BIG EAST history to register at least 100 tackles in three consecutive seasons, culminating in a career-high 114 stops in the 2011 season.
A three-year starter, Schaffer had 337 career tackles, leading all BIG EAST players who were active in 2011. He finished his career with 27.5 tackles for loss, 15 pass breakups, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He earned All-BIG EAST First Team honors in 2011 after he ranked third in the conference in tackles (8.8 per game), had four sacks and led a Cincinnati unit that led the nation in sacks (8.6 per game) and was sixth nationally in rushing defense (96.2 ypg). He was an All-BIG EAST Second Team choice in 2010.
Schaffer was a key contributor for three BIG EAST championship teams – the 2008 and 2009 squads that won outright titles and played in consecutive Bowl Championship Series games and the 2011 team that won a share of the championship and ended the year with a win in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Schaffer carries a 3.705 grade-point average as a criminal justice major. He is a member of the Sigma Sigma honorary fraternity and a four-time selection to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team. Schaffer earned a 4.00 grade-point average in the fall 2011 semester.
Schaffer has volunteered his time in a number of community service endeavors, including regular visits to local hospitals and schools to motivate Cincinnati-area children. He is a contributor to the Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati.
Schaffer is the second consecutive Cincinnati player to be chosen as the American Eagle Outfitters BIG EAST Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year, following 2010 winner John Goebel. The honor is one of a number of scholarships presented by the BIG EAST Conference and American Eagle Outfitters during the 2011-12 academic year. Thirty-two student-athletes (one male and one female from each of the BIG EAST’s 16 member institutions) will be named winners of the American Eagle Outfitters BIG EAST Institutional Scholar-Athlete Scholarships. The conference also names male and female American Eagle Outfitters BIG EAST Basketball Scholar-Athletes of the Year.
2011 BIG EAST All-Academic Football Team
The 182 members of the 2011 BIG EAST All-Academic Football Team were nominated by the respective institutions. To be nominated, a player must have a cumulative grade-point index of at least 3.0 and completed a minimum of two semesters of academic work.
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CINCINNATI (23)
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Alex Apyan
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Sr.
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LS
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Chattanooga, Tenn.
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Aerospace Engineering
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Austen Bunjoch
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So.
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OL
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Cincinnati, Ohio
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History
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Tom DeTemple
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Sr.
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LS
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Cincinnati, Ohio
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Paralegal Studies
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Drew Frey
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Jr.
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DB
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Wilmington, Ohio
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Architectural Engineering Technology
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Jacob Giltrow
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Jr.
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WR
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West Chester, Ohio
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Biological Studies
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Dan Giordano
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Jr.
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DL
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Frankfort, Ill.
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Accounting
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Alex Hoffman
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Sr.
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OL
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Indianapolis, Ind.
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Paralegal Studies
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Sean Hooey
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Jr.
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OL
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Litchfield, Mich.
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Marketing
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Brendon Kay
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Jr.
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QB
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Marine City, Mich.
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Health Education
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Cory Keebler
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RFr.
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OL
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Liberty Township, Ohio
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Business Administration
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Eric Lefeld
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RFr.
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OL
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Coldwater, Ohio
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Business Administration
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John Lloyd
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RFr.
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P
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Cincinnati, Ohio
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Business Administration
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Colin Lozier
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Jr.
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LB
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Cincinnati, Ohio
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Psychology
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Jordan Luallen
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So.
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QB
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Greenwood, Ind.
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Entrepreneurship
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Breon Mapp
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Jr.
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DB
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Cincinnati, Ohio
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Health Education
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Mitch Meador
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So.
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LB
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Greenwood, Ind.
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Organizational Leadership
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Tony Miliano
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RFr.
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K
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North Bend, Ohio
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Business Administration
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Pat O’Donnell
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Jr.
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P
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Lakeworth, Fla.
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Organizational Leadership
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Demetrius Richardson
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Jr.
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TE
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Marlton, N.J.
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Criminal Justice
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Joshua Russ
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RFr.
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TE
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Elyria, Ohio
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Criminal Justice
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JK Schaffer
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Sr.
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LB
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Cincinnati, Ohio
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Criminal Justice
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George Winn
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Jr.
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RB
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Southfield, Mich.
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Organizational Leadership
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Adrian Witty
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RFr.
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DB
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Deerfield Beach, Fla.
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Criminal Justice
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CONNECTICUT (22)
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Harris Agbor
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Sr.
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S
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Mesquite, Texas
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Finance/Political Science
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Jimmy Bennett
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Jr.
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OT
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Alexandria, Va.
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Accounting
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Tyler Bennett
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Sr.
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WR
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Alexandria, Va.
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Communication Sciences
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Robert Cherry
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So.
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WR
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Simsbury, Conn.
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Biological Sciences
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Jeremy Claflin
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Fr.
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S
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West Hartford, Conn.
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Exploratory
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Steve Greene
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So.
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OG
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Edensburg, Pa.
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Sport Management
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Frank Guardi
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So.
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WR
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New Fairfield, Conn.
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Exploratory
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Jory Johnson
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Jr.
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OLB
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Mobile, Ala.
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Economics
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Alex Kantor
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So.
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S
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Potomac, Md.
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Exploratory
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Chris Lopes
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So.
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CB
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Brockton, Mass.
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Communications
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Dominick Manco
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Fr.
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LS
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Lagrangeville, N.Y.
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Exploratory
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Corey Manning
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Jr.
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TE
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Tyrone, Ga.
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Finance
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Chris Matteis
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Fr.
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FB
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North Haven, Conn.
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Undeclared
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Scott McCummings
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RFr.
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QB
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Natick, Mass.
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Exploratory
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Adam Mueller
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So.
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LS
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Park Ridge, Ill.
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History
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Alex Pagan
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Sr.
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QB
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East Windsor, Conn.
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Political Science
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Moe Petrus
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Sr.
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C
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St. Laurent, Que.
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Psychology
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James Scherer
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Jr.
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DB
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Middlefield, Conn.
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Exercise Science
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Dave Teggart
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Sr.
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K
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Northborough, Mass.
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Coaching and Administration
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Robert Urban
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Sr.
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LB
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Southbury, Conn.
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Pharmacy
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Isaac White
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So.
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LB
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Waterbury, Conn.
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Pre-Kinesiology
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Nick Williams
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Jr.
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WR
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East Windsor, N.J.
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Economics
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LOUISVILLE (22)
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Jerry Arlinghaus
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Fr.
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QB
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Covington, Ky.
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Physics
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Teddy Bridgewater
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Fr.
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QB
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Miami, Fla.
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Sport Administration
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Lucas Brohm
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Fr.
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QB
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Louisville, Ky.
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Undecided
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Lincoln Carr
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Sr.
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WR
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Crestwood, Ky.
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Marketing
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John Clark
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Sr.
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OL
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Louisville, Ky.
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Justice Administration
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Grant Donovan
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Fr.
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LS
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Louisville, Ky.
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Sport Administration
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Herbert Eggers
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Jr.
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FB
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Louisville, Ky.
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Political Science
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Stephen Goodwin
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So.
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WR
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Louisville, Ky.
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Accounting
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Nick Heuser
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Jr.
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FB
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Louisville, Ky.
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Marketing
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Ryan Kessling
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Sr.
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OL
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Tallahassee, Fla.
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Justice Administration
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Ryan Mack
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Fr.
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OL
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Memphis, Tenn.
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Undecided
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Nathan Nord
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Jr.
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TE
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Boca Raton, Fla.
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Exercise Science
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Chris Philpott
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Sr.
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K
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Atlanta, Ga.
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Communication
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Calvin Pryor
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Fr.
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S
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Port St. Joe, Fla.
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Communication
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Will Stein
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Jr.
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QB
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Louisville, Ky.
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Sport Administration
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Jacob Smith
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RFr.
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OL
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Jacksonville, Ala.
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Undecided
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Josh Sterns
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Fr.
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OL
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Louisville, Ky.
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Justice Administration
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Demarcus Topp
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Jr.
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WR
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Paducah, Ky.
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Management
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Christopher Walker
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So.
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OL
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Louisville, Ky.
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Marketing
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John Wallace
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RFr.
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P/K
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Cecila, Ky.
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Pre Engineering
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Alex Witcpalek
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So.
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LB
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Oswego, Ill.
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Sport Administration
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Christopher Zelli
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Jr.
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LB
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Jeffersonville, Ind.
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Political Science
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PITTSBURGH (16)
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Joshua Brinson
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Jr.
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WR
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Homestead, Fla.
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Psychology
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Desmond Brown
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Jr.
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RB
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Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Administrative Justice
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Myles Caragein
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Gr.
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DT
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Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Education
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Drake Greer
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Jr.
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K/P
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McKees Rocks, Pa.
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Liberal Arts
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Kevin Harper
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Gr.
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K
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Mentor, Ohio
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MBA
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Jarred Holley
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Sr.
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DB
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Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Administrative Justice
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Adam Lazenga
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Jr.
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LB
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Bethel Park, Pa.
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Liberal Arts
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Marco Pecora
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Sr.
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DB
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Johnstown, Pa.
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History
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Mike Shanahan
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Sr.
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WR
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North Huntingdon, Pa.
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History
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Andrew Taglianetti
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Sr.
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DB
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Bridgeville, Pa.
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Business Marketing
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Joe Trebitz
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Sr.
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LB
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Boca Raton, Fla.
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Business Marketing
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Ray Vinopal
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So.
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DB
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Youngstown, Ohio
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Liberal Arts
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Kris Wildman
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Sr.
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FB
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Warren, Ohio
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History
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Chris Yankoski
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Gr.
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K/P
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Plum, Pa.
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MBA
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Matt Yoklic
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Jr.
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P
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Gibsonia, Pa.
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Communications
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Brett Zuck
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So.
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WR
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Shippenville, Pa.
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Administrative Justice
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RUTGERS (26)
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Hugh Ahern
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RFr.
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OL
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Maplewood, N.J.
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Undeclared
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Taj Alexander
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RFr.
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OL
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Downingtown, Pa.
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Undeclared
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Betim Bujari
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RFr.
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OL
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Secaucus, N.J.
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Labor Studies
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Paul Carrezola
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So.
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TE
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Langhorne, Pa.
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Communication
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Brandon Coleman
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RFr.
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WR
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Accokeek, Md.
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Undeclared
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Nicholas Depaola
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So.
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LB
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Parkton, Md.
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Communication
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Chas Dodd
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So.
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QB
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Byrnes, Md.
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Undeclared
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Justin Doerner
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Jr.
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P
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Redondo Beach, Calif.
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Labor Studies
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Art Forst
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Sr.
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OL
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Manasquan, N.J.
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Political Science
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Duron Harmon
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Jr.
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DB
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Magnolia, Del.
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Labor Studies
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Dallas Hendrikson
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So.
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OL
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St, Ansgar, Iowa
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Environmental & Business Economics
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Brandon Jones
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Jr.
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DB
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Sicklerville, N.J.
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Labor Studies
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Robert Jones
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So.
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LS
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West Caldwell, N.J.
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Exercise Science
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Patrick Kivlehan
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Sr.
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DB
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West Nyack, N.Y.
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Communication
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Edmond Laryea
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Sr.
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LB
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Tottenville, N.Y.
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Communication
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Nicholas Libonati
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Sr.
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OL
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Howell, N.J.
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Civil Engineering
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Matthew McBride
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So.
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OL
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Hicksville, N.Y.
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Criminal Justice
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David Milewski
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RFr.
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LB
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Sayreville, N.J.
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Pre Business
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David Osei
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So.
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OL
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Abington, Pa.
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History
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Quron Pratt
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So.
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WR
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Palmyra, N.J.
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Sociology
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Francis Quartucci
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RFr.
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OL
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Hamilton, N.J.
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Criminal Justice
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Logan Ryan
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So.
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DB
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Berlin, N.J.
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Labor Studies
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Desmond Stapleton
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Sr.
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OL
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Union, N.J.
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Exercise Science
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Scott Vallone
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Jr.
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DL
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Central Islip, N.Y.
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Economics
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Lorenzo Waters
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RFr.
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DB
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Accokeek, Md.
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Undeclared
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Timothy Wright
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Jr.
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WR
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Wall Township, N.J.
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Criminal Justice
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USF (18)
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Robert Arnemann
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TE
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So.
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Jacksonville, Fla.
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Physical Education
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Sharly Azard
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LB
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Sr.
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Scotch Plains, N.J.
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Communication
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Maikon Bonani
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K
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Jr.
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Lake Wales, Fla.
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Exercise Science
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Jordan Duval
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WR
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RFr.
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Tampa, Fla.
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Business Administration
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Chaz Hine
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OL
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Sr.
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Lithia, Fla.
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Master of Business Administration
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Steven Jacques
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OL
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So.
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Hollywood, Fla.
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Communication
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Lindsey Lamar
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WR
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Jr.
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Tampa, Fla.
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Communication
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Michael Lanaris
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LB
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Jr.
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Lake Mary, Fla.
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Management
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Evan Landi
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TE
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Jr.
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Coral Springs, Fla.
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Communication
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Saki Mihalakos
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DB
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Sr.
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Jacksonville, Fla.
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Health Science
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Joel Miller
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WR
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Sr.
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Tampa, Fla.
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Communication
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Patrice Pierre
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DB
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So.
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Kissimmee, Fla.
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Physical Education
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Luke Sager
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DL
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So.
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Niceville, Fla.
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Communication
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Brandon Salinas
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DB
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So.
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Orlando, Fla.
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Communication
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Armando Sanchez
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LB
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Jr.
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St. Petersburg, Fla.
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Master of Physical Education
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Allen Singleton
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DB
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Jr.
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Ocala, Fla.
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Psychology
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Ernie Tabuteau
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DB
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Jr.
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Miami, Fla.
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Criminology
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Baylin Trujillo
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QB
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So.
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Orlando, Fla.
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Mass Communications
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SYRACUSE (28)
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Lucas Abrecht
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Fr.
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DL
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Hudson Falls, N.Y.
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Bioengineering
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Ian Allport
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Sr.
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OL
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Pulaski, N.Y.
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Biology
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Torrey Ball
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Sr.
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DL
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Athens, Ga.
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Graduate Student - New Media Management
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Zacharia Chibane
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Jr.
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OL
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Paramus, N.J.
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Political Science
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Clay Cleveland
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So.
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FB
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Boxford, Mass.
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Sport and Human Dynamic - Undeclared
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Corey Edsall
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Fr.
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QB
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Fulton, Md.
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Sports Management
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Cayden Feifer
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Jr.
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WR
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Culver City, Calif.
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Broadcast and Digital Journalism
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Forer Nathaniel
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Fr.
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QB
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Encino, Calif.
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Aerospace Engineering
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Oliver Haney
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Sr.
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DL
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Clark, N.J.
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Graduate Student - Inclusive Special Education
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Adam Harris
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Sr.
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FB
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Management
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Sean Hickey
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So.
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OL
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Murrysville, Pa.
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Arts and Sciences - Undeclared
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Kyle Ishman
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So.
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WR
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Troy, N.Y.
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Political Science
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James Jarrett
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Jr.
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DB
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Clinton, N.Y.
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Public Relations
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Shane Kimmel
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Sr.
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FB
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Ivyland, Pa.
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Communication and Rhetorical Studies
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Ryan Lichtenstein
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Jr.
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K
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Monroeville, Pa.
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General Studies/Management
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Louis Loeb
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Jr.
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QB
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Hollis, N.H.
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Psychology
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Macky MacPherson
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So.
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OL
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Syracuse, N.Y.
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Geography
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Shu Mungwa
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Fr.
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LB
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Oradell, N.J.
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Biology
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Ryan Nassib
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Sr.
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QB
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West Chester, Pa.
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Accounting
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Shane Raupers
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Jr.
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P
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Athens, Pa.
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Finance
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Nick Raven
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Jr.
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TE
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Moscow, Pa.
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Information Management Technology
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Sam Rodgers
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Fr.
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LS
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State College, Pa.
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Nutrition
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Kevyn Scott
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Gr.
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DB
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Tamarac, Fla.
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Graduate Student - Information Management
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Thomas Trendowski
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Sr.
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TE
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Syracuse, N.Y.
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Health and Physical Education
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Rob Trudo
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Fr.
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OL
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Farrell, Pa.
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Mechanical Engineering
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Daniel Vaughan
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Sr.
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LB
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Gibsonia, Pa.
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Finance
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Jarrod West
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So.
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WR
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Bethlehem, Pa.
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Political Science
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Chris Williamson
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So.
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DB
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Washington, D.C.
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Broadcast and Digital Journalism
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WEST VIRGINIA (27)
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Don Barclay
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Sr.
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OL
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Business Management
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Cranberry Township, Pa.
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John Bassler
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Jr.
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OL
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Industrial Math and Statistics
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New Windsor, Md.
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Cole Bowers
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So.
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OL
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Geology
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Milton, W.Va.
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Jeff Braun
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Jr.
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OL
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Physical Education – Teacher Education
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Westminster, Md.
|
|
Dustin Brown
|
So.
|
WR
|
Exercise Physiology
|
Craigsville, W.Va.
|
|
Nick Cadwell
|
Sr.
|
DB
|
Business Management
|
Leesburg, Va.
|
|
Josh Contraguerro
|
Sr.
|
LB
|
Business Management
|
Wheeling, W.Va.
|
|
Trevor Demko
|
So.
|
DL
|
Communications
|
Kulpmont, Pa.
|
|
Curtis Feigt
|
So.
|
OL
|
Criminology
|
Berlin, Germany
|
|
Troy Gloster
|
So.
|
LB
|
Business Management
|
Germantown, Md.
|
|
Lucas Henn
|
So.
|
DB
|
Exercise Physiology
|
Morgantown, W.Va.
|
|
Nick Kindler
|
So.
|
OL
|
Criminology
|
Camp Hill, Pa.
|
|
Ricky Kovatch
|
Sr.
|
FB
|
Finance
|
Dublin, Ohio
|
|
Matt Lindamood
|
Jr.
|
FB
|
Exercise Physiology
|
Parkersburg, W.Va.
|
|
Nathan Majnaric
|
So.
|
RB
|
Athletic Coaching Education
|
North Canton, Ohio
|
|
Paul Millard
|
So.
|
QB
|
Physical Education – Teacher Education
|
Flower Mound, Texas
|
|
Michael Molinari
|
So.
|
P
|
Exercise Physiology
|
Parkersburg, W.Va.
|
|
Ryan Nehlen
|
Jr.
|
WR
|
Exercise Physiology
|
Morgantown, W.Va.
|
|
Cody Nutter
|
Sr.
|
LS
|
Physical Education – Teacher Education
|
Parkersburg, W.Va.
|
|
Kelvin Owusu
|
So.
|
LB
|
Political Science
|
New City, N.Y.
|
|
Ted Rietschlin
|
So.
|
DL
|
Exercise Physiology
|
Crestline, Ohio
|
|
Doug Rigg
|
So.
|
LB
|
Communications
|
Oradell, N.J.
|
|
Corey Smith
|
Jr.
|
P
|
Sport Management
|
Inwood, W.Va.
|
|
Keith Tandy
|
Sr.
|
DB
|
Biology
|
Hopkinsville, Ky.
|
|
Wes Tonkery
|
So.
|
DB
|
Industrial Engineering
|
Shinnston, W.Va.
|
|
Tyler Urban
|
Sr.
|
WR
|
Finance
|
North Huntingdon, Pa.
|
|
Casey Vance
|
Sr.
|
LB
|
History Education
|
Seneca Rocks, W.Va.
|
American Eagle Outfitters BIG EAST Football Scholar-Athletes Of The Year
|
2000
|
RaMon Johnson
|
Boston College
|
Business Administration
|
|
2001
|
Kyle Johnson
|
Syracuse
|
Business Administration
|
|
2002
|
Matt Walters
|
Miami
|
Mechanical Engineering
|
|
2003
|
Nate Jones
|
Rutgers
|
Finance
|
|
2004
|
Vince Crochunis
|
Pittsburgh
|
Administration & Policy Studies
|
|
2005
|
Garin Justice
|
West Virginia
|
Education
|
|
2006
|
Jay Henry
|
West Virginia
|
Finance/Accounting
|
|
2007
|
Brian Brohm
|
Louisville
|
Finance
|
|
2008
|
Conor Lee
|
Pittsburgh
|
Business Administration
|
|
2009
|
Reed Williams
|
West Virginia
|
Finance and Marketing
|
|
2010
|
John Goebel
|
Cincinnati
|
Educational Leadership
|
|
2011
|
JK Schaffer
|
Cincinnati
|
Criminal Justice
|
|
|
|
|
|
|