DES MOINES, Iowa – Three student-athletes on the
Drake University football team have been named to the CoSIDA/Capital One
Academic All-District team, it was announced Thursday.
Drake's honorees on the Academic All-District team include
defensive lineman Brandon Coleman (Cary, Ill.), linebacker Travis
Merritt (Johnston, Iowa) and defensive back Mike Ratelle (Edina,
Minn.). The selection to the Academic All-District team qualifies all three to
receive potential Academic All-America honors. Additionally, Drake's three
all-district selections are tied for the seventh most in the nation among
Division I programs behind six programs with four selections.
Coleman, a senior, earned a spot on the all-district squad
thanks to a 3.63 grade point average in secondary education. On the field, he
has led Drake's defense with 12 tackles for loss and six sacks. His tackles for
loss are the second most in the Pioneer Football League and 21st in
the nation.
Ratelle Is tied for the team lead in interceptions and is
sixth in all-purpose yardage this season while maintaining a 3.52 GPA in his
accounting curriculum. One of the highlights of the senior's season include
returning the opening kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown at Valparaiso. As a kick
and punt returner, he averages 26.3 yards per return on kickoffs and 29.3 yards
per return on punts.
Merritt has been one of the stalwarts of the defense's
second line with 84 tackles, the second most on the team and the seventh most
in the PFL. In the classroom, he has a 3.75 GPA in biology. He has recorded
nine or more tackles five times this season with a team-high three fumble
recoveries and an interception.
The CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-America teams will be
announced on Dec. 6. Last season, Drake's Mike Lahart became the 12th Drake
football student-athlete to earn the prestigious honor.
Coleman, Merritt, Ratelle and their teammates return to
action this Saturday to host PFL leader Butler at 1 p.m. in Drake Stadium.
