The University of Kentucky leads the nation with three players — kicker Taylor Begley, offensive tackle Hayden Lane, and cornerback Antoine Huffman ? elected to the Academic All-America Team sponsored by ESPN The Magazine and voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Begley and Lane earned first-team honors while Huffman was a second-team selection. Three Academic All-America players in one year is a school record for Kentucky.
Begley has graduated already with a 3.82 grade-point average and a degree in electrical engineering. He is working on his master?s degree in electrical engineering and has a 4.0 GPA in graduate school. On the field, he ranks third in school history in total points (226), second in extra points made (118), and fourth in field goals made (36). He also set the school record for consecutive extra points made with 92.
Lane notched a 3.95 GPA while completing his bachelor?s degree, a double major in anthropology and classics (study of Latin and ancient history). He has begun master?s work in history. He has started the last 23 consecutive games at offensive right tackle, the longest active streak on the team.
Huffman completed his bachelor?s degree in telecommunications with a 3.45 grade-point average. He is working on his master?s degree in mass communications. He set the Kentucky career record for pass breakups with 27 PBU during his years as a Wildcat.
To qualify for nomination for Academic All-America, a player must be a sophomore or higher in academic and athletic standing, be a starter or key reserve, and have a career grade-point average of 3.2 or higher.
2005 Awards Summary: Here is a list of honors for Kentucky football players so far for the 2005 season:
FS Muhammad Abdullah
Associated Press All-SEC (second team)
Coaches All-SEC (second team)
TB Arliss Beach
Jerry Claiborne Award (team award for academics/team attitude)
K Taylor Begley
Academic All-America (first team)
UK Special Teams Player of the Year (team award, co-winner with Draak Davis)
WR Tommy Cook
UK Most Inspirational Player (team award)
KR Draak Davis
UK Special Teams Player of the Year (team award, co-winner with Taylor Begley)
TE Jeremiah Drobney
SEC Good Works Team
DT Richard Gray
UK Most Valuable Defensive Scout Team Player (team award)
CB Antoine Huffman
Finalist for the National Sportsmanship Award (still in running)
Finalist for the Danny Wuerffel Trophy
Semifinalist for the Ronnie Lott Trophy
Semifinalist for the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award
Candidate for the Bobby Bowden Award (still in running)
Academic All-America (second team)
LB Braxton Kelley
Rivals.com Freshman All-America (second team)
UK Outstanding First-Year Player (team award)
OT Hayden Lane
Academic All-America (first team)
TB/KR Rafael Little
Associated Press All-SEC as all-purpose player (first team)
Coaches All-SEC as running back (second team)
National Player of the Week by SI.com for the Vanderbilt game
SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for the Vanderbilt game
SEC Offensive Player of the Week for the Mississippi State game
UK Most Valuable Player (team award)
UK Most Outstanding Offensive Player (team award)
C Matt McCutchan
UK Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman (team award)
TB Alfonso Smith
UK Most Valuable Offensive Scout Team Player (team award)
CB Bo Smith
UK Most Outstanding Defensive Player (team award)
SS Roger Williams
UK Most Improved Player (team award)
LB Wesley Woodyard
Associated Press All-SEC (honorable mention)
