Southeast's Casper, Perez make FCS academic all-star team

Southeast Missouri State senior linebacker Adam Casper and senior offensive lineman Francisco Perez have been named to the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star team.

Casper and Perez were among 51 players from the FCS (formerly Division I-AA) to achieve the academic award.

Casper, a product of Anna-Jonesboro (Ill.) High School, led Southeast and the Ohio Valley Conference in tackles this season while winning all-OVC honors.

Perez was a four-year offensive line starter for the Redhawks.

The FCS Academic All-Star team was announced in Chattanooga, Tenn., site of Friday night's FCS championship game.

Each of the nominees was required to have a minimum grade-point average of 3.20 in undergraduate study and have been a starter or key player with solid athletics credentials.

Eight OVC players were selected, including Eastern Kentucky's Justin Curry and Derek Hardman; Tennessee Tech's John Jackson and Bradley Thompson; Samford's Jefferson Adcock; and Tennessee-Martin's Josh Yarbrough.

-- Southeast Missourian