Southeast football player Sanchez named Academic All-American

J.J. Sanchez, among the leaders of Southeast Missouri State's defense, also is a top-flight student.

Those attributes have been recognized as the senior defensive lineman was named to the ESPN Academic All-America second team selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Sanchez carries a 3.82 cumulative grade-point average in criminal justice. He was a first team all-Ohio Valley Conference selection after recording 45 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks and four quarterback hurries this year.

A student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings and be a first team selection at the district level to be eligible for Academic All-America honors.

Sanchez is on the university division of the Academic All-America team, which consists of players from both the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) and Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A).

-- Southeast Missourian