Nov. 5, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Junior long snapper Tyler Yazujian (Royersford, Pa.) and redshirt freshman linebacker Troy Reeder (Wilmington, Del.) have been selected to the CoSIDA Academic All-Districtâ"¢ team for their performance in the classroom and on the field. The duo are now eligible for consideration for the Academic All-America® Team.
Yazujian is a two-time Academic All-District selection after earning the honor last season. He owns a 3.86 grade point average in information sciences and technology. Yazujian was an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2014 and is a six-time Dean's List honoree. He has also posted perfect 4.0 GPAs in two semesters during his collegiate career. On the field, Yazujian handles all of the long snapping responsibilities for the Nittany Lions. Redshirt freshman kicker Joey Julius ranks first in the Big Ten and 24th nationally in field goal percentage (.833). Yazujian picked up his first career tackle against Indiana on a punt return as he combined with Jordan Dudas for the stop.
Reeder picks up his first career Academic All-District honor with a 3.80 GPA. He was a Dean's List recipient his first two semesters on campus. He has started eight of nine games this season at the linebacker position. Reeder is one of 17 redshirt freshmen to see game action this season and one of six freshmen to start this season. He is fifth on the team in tackles with 49 stops, including 5.5 tackles for loss. Additionally, Reeder has one pass breakup, two passes defended and collected his first career interception against Illinois.
Penn State football student-athletes have earned 63 CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections all-time, the second-highest total among all Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institutions, trailing only Nebraska. In 2013, All-America guard John Urschel earned his second consecutive first-team Academic All-America® honor.
The Nittany Lions' 18 Academic All-Americans® over the past nine seasons (16 first-team) lead the nation. The Penn State football team has had a least one first-team Academic All-American® in 10 of the past 13 seasons (19 overall first-team selections since 2002).
The Nittany Lions travel to Evanston to face Northwestern Saturday at noon. The game will air on ESPNU, the Penn State Sports Network (10:30 a.m. pregame) and GoPSUsports.com.
Tickets for the Nittany Lions' home finale are available. Penn State hosts Michigan on Nov. 21 for Senior Day and a Penn State WhiteOut. To purchase tickets or for more information, fans can visit PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.