NDSU running back Tyler Roehl, wide receiver Kole Heckendorf and defensive end Nick Compton were named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Football Teams, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. The announcement was made Nov. 26.
Roehl and Heckendorf were named to the University Division Academic All-America first team, while Compton was a second-team selection. Roehl and Heckendorf become the third and fourth NDSU football players to receive first-team honors. Sixteen players have earned 20 Academic All-America awards since 1971.
Roehl is one of seven repeat selections on the 22-man Academic All-America first team. A physical education major with a 3.38 grade-point average, the 5-foot-10, 232-pound Roehl was leading rusher for the Bison. The senior and West Fargo native, who was the eighth leading rusher in school history with a total 2,512 yards, rushed for 1,053 yards and 13 touchdowns on 171 carries in 2008. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry this season. Roehl was named to the 22-member 2008 AllState/American Football Coaches Association Good Works team.
Heckendorf, a 6-foot-2, 188-pound senior from Mosinee, Wis., led the Bison in receiving for the fourth straight season. He caught 41 passes for 744 yards and four touchdowns. Heckendorf, who maintains a 3.81 grade-point average in physical education, finished his career as the program's all-time leader with 178 receptions for 2,732 yards. He was a finalist for the Awards and Recognition Association Sportsmanship Award and semifinalist for the Draddy Trophy.
Compton, a 6-foot, 250-pound senior from Rosemount, Minn., maintains a 3.64 grade-point average in finance. He recorded 40 tackles including 15 solos, 9.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Compton, who also had a forced fumble and pass breakup, was part of a defense that ranked first nationally in pass defense, third in sacks, fifth in tackles for loss, seventh in total defense and ninth in third-down conversion defense.
To be eligible, a student athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his or her current institution and be nominated by his or her sports information director.
Dec. 2, 2008