Nov. 3, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - A trio of Nittany Lions ââ'¬" Tyler Yazujian (Royersford, Pa.), Grant Haley (Atlanta, Ga.) and Brandon Smith (Winfield, Pa.) ââ'¬" were selected to the CoSIDA Academic All-Districtâ"¢ team for their performance in the classroom and on the field. All three student-athletes are now eligible for consideration for the Academic All-America® Team.
It is the third consecutive appearance on the team for Yazujian, who was a second-team Academic All-American a year ago.
Yazujian has a 3.87 grade point average in IST ââ'¬" security and risk analysis. In addition to his CoSIDA Academic All-American and All-District accolades, Yazujian is a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and two-time Academic All-Big Ten choice. He is a seven-time Dean's List selection and has two perfect 4.0 GPA semesters. He has handled all of the long snapping duties each of the last three seasons. With his reliable snapping, kicker Tyler Davis is off to the best kicking start in program history, hitting 21-of-22 career field goal attempts and all 41 extra point tries. Davis broke the school record earlier this season with 18 consecutive field goal attempts made.
Haley owns a 3.39 grade point average in advertising and public relations. He was an Academic All-Big Ten choice a year ago. Haley has 15 tackles on the season. He also returned the field attempt that was blocked by Marcus Allen for a touchdown and the game-winning score against No. 2 Ohio State. Haley was named Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week with Allen after the OSU game. Haley was also the Rose Bowl Game Big Ten Player of the Week on Oct. 24.
Smith carries a 3.79 grade point average in kinesiology and wants to become a pediatric oncologist. A former walk-on, Smith started the season as the third-string Mike linebacker but was thrust into starting in the third game of the season due to a series of injuries to the three opening day starting linebackers. Smith has shined in his expanded role, ranking fifth on the team with 39 tackles and leading the squad with two interceptions. He also has a pair of pass breakups and 3.0 tackles for loss. Smith was selected as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after posting 14 tackles in a win over Maryland. His interception and 22-yard return on the first defensive possession of the second half at Purdue sparked a 45-7 second-half surge by the Nittany Lions. Smith helps with his wife's non-profit organization, Honduran Soles, which provides shoes to kids that need them in various countries. He and his wife traveled to Honduras during spring break in 2015 helped build a soccer field.
Penn State is 6-2 overall and 4-1 in Big Ten play after the victory over the Boilermakers. The Nittany Lions are back in action at Beaver Stadium against Iowa Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network. The game will also air on the Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com (6 p.m. airtime).
Single game for the final two home games of the 2016 campaign are still available. To purchase tickets or for more information, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.