Northwest Missouri State senior quarterback Joel Osborn joins Missouri Tiger Chase Daniel as semifinalist for the 2008 Draddy Trophy, college football’s most prestigious academic honor.
Osborn, a native of Harlan, Iowa, is one of 15 Division II semifinalists and one of two representing the MIAA. He and Central Missouri linebacker Adrian Singletary are two of 164 semifinalists representing all levels of college football.
"The Draddy Trophy is one of college football’s most sought after and competitive awards," said National Football Foundation Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Draddy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "It recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership, and we’re proud to select the next winner from this remarkable group of semifinalists."
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. The award comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.
Osborn, a math education major with a 3.59 GPA, has thrown for the ninth-most yards in Northwest history (3,718). This season, he’s completed 68.4 percent of his passes for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s the second-leading passer in the MIAA and ranks 19 th nationally. He also ranks 21 st nationally in pass efficiency and 36 th in total offense, accounting for 238.5 yards per game.