ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Drake University football team had eight student-athletes selected to the 2016 Academic All-PFL teams, the league office announced Wednesday.
 
For the second-straight year, senior Keegan Gallery earned first-team honors. He is an international business major with a 3.64 grade-point average and recorded 45 receptions for 481 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
 
Fifth-year senior Aaron Melton, senior Tanner Evans and junior Nathan Clayberg made their first appearance on the first-team list. Melton, who was named first-team All-PFL earlier this week, holds a 3.46 GPA in marketing and informational systems. Evans is double majoring in finance and politics with a 3.84 GPA and led the team with 9.5 tackles for a loss, including four sacks. Clayberg, who was named CoSIDA Academic All-District earlier this month, is an accounting and finance major with a perfect 4.0 GPA and recorded 22 tackles.
 
Four Bulldogs were listed on the Academic All-PFL second-team with offensive lineman Colby Dunn, linebacker Taylor Coleman, wide receiver Grant Menard and defensive back Terry Wallen each being named to the team. Dunn owns a 3.47 GPA as a pharmacy major. Coleman received All-PFL second-team honors earlier this week and holds a 3.76 GPA as a finance major. Menard is a marketing major with a 3.47 GPA and registered 35 catches for 568 yards and seven touchdowns. Wallen led the Bulldogs with eight passes defended, including four interceptions and has a 3.61 GPA as a finance major.

The Academic All-PFL teams are a complement to the Capital One Academic All-America® program presented by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Thirteen PFL student-athletes were named to their respective Capital One Academic All-District Teams® this fall. The 2016 Capital One Academic All-America Teams® will be announced Thursday.

Pioneer Football League athletic directors established the Academic All-PFL squads in 1993 as a way to recognize the league's outstanding student-athletes. To be eligible for Academic All-PFL consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00 and reached their second season both athletically and academically at his current institution.