The Draddy Trophy,
presented by The National Football Foundation & College Hall of
Fame, recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his
combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community
leadership.
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,
and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
J.B. Phillips entered
his final season at Nebraska with his undergraduate degree in
marketing in hand and is currently on pace to complete his master’s degree work
in May of 2008. He carries a 3.917 GPA in his post-graduate studies and has also
been a team leader both on and off the football field. On the field, Phillips
has started in 30 games for the Huskers, including all six this season, and has
made 29 catches for 196 yards and two touchdowns in his
career.
In the community,
Phillips was one of 10 Huskers named to the 2007 Brook Berringer Citizenship
Team, which honors a commitment to volunteer work. He has volunteered his time
to a number of worthwhile events, including American Education Week, School is
Cool Week and the Dads of Kids with Disabilities
program.
Established to honor
former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod
and Lacoste brands, the Draddy Trophy comes with a $25,000 post-graduate
scholarship.
The NFF Awards
Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 25. Each finalist
will be recognized as part of the 2007 National Scholar- Athlete Class,
receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. The Draddy winner, who will
receive a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship, will be announced at the NFF's
Annual Awards Dinner on December 4 at the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria in
New York City. A
total distribution of more than $300,000 in scholarships will be awarded that
evening.