CEDAR CITY, Utah, Jan 3 - Two Southern Utah University football players have earned spots on the 2012 FCS Athletic Directors Association's Academic All-Star Team, it was announced today. Center Dylan Fox and defensive tackle Brad Meyer each earned a spot on the 54-player squad, which is sponsored by KP Sports.

Fox, a senior from Cedar City, Utah, earned a spot on the squad after carrying a cumulative 3.69 GPA in Economics. Fox started all 11 games at center for the Thunderbirds this year and the last 22 games dating back to last season, including the first 10 of 2011 at fullback and the final game at center. He allowed just one sack and graded out at 96 percent for the season while making his block at the second level 90 percent of the time for the SUU offense, which averaged 285.4 passing and 85.8 rushing yards per game. He was also a CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII selection in 2012 and a three-time academic all-Great West Conference pick.

Meyer, a junior from Boise, Idaho, posted a cumulative GPA of 3.92 in Chemistry. He started eight games this season at nose tackle and played in 10 total games while missing one with injury. He finished the season with 18 tackles, including 10 solo stops, and was in on four tackles for loss, one of which went for a safety, logged a sack, blocked a kick and recovered one fumble. Like Fox, Meyer was also a CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII selection in 2012 and was a two-time academic all-Great West selection. Meyer was the only football player on the GWC squad to post a perfect 4.0 GPA in both 2010 and 2011.

"The FCS ADA is pleased to honor the accomplishments of our football student-athletes each year with our Academic All-Star Team," said FCS ADA President Ron Strollo, director of athletics at Youngstown State University. "The accolades of these young men both in the classroom and on the field epitomize the definition of student-athlete and our Association looks forward to recognizing their accomplishments annually."

Football players from all Football Championship Subdivision institutions are eligible for these prestigious awards. Each of the nominees were required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletics credentials. He must have reached his second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. He must also have participated in 50 percent of the games played at his designated position.

The selection of Fox and Meyer gives SUU representatives on the team in consecutive years, as linebacker Blake Fenn earned the distinction following last season.

-- SUU --