Former Husky Roberts receives academic honors

From The Trussville Tribune Staff Reports

Former Hewitt-Trussville and current Jacksonville State football player Joseph Roberts was named to the 2016-17 College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District Football Team this week.

#48 Joseph Roberts, LB, Jacksonville State University. Photo via JSU Athletics

Roberts, a sophomore defensive end, and teammates Justin Lea and Dalton Campbell were named to the Academic All-District Team for District 4, which includes all Division I schools in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.

The Cosida Academic All-District Teams are composed of student-athletes that are at least a sophomore on the field, carry at least a 3.3 grade point average and are starters or significant reserves on their teams. Once nominees are compiled, the teams are selected through a vote of CoSIDA’s membership across each region. Members of the Academic All-District Teams advance to be included on the Academic All-America ballots.

Roberts has been a huge part of the success in a JSU defense that leads the nation in total defense, allowing just 259.6 yards per game. They also lead the nation in third-down defense, allowing opponents to convert on third down just 23 percent of the time. The Gamecocks are second nationally in fewest first downs allowed, 16th in passing defense and seventh in rushing defense.

Roberts plays a key role in the JSU defensive front and pass rush while holding a 3.75 GPA as a business management major. The 6-foot-3, 251-pound redshirt has also started four games on the end for Jax State this season, notching 2.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks so far in 2016.

The Gamecocks are 8-1 with only a loss to LSU to blemish the record. They played Murray State on Saturday.