Ducks earn academic honors

University of Oregon offensive linemen Mark Asper and Carson York, and tight end David Paulson have been named to the Pac-12 all-academic first team, conference officials recently announced.

Paulson and York, who were recently named to the Capital One academic all-district 8 team and are under consideration for academic all-America, became three-time selections to the conference's all-academic first team.

Paulson, a redshirt senior from Auburn, Wash., has 17 receptions for 233 yards and a career-high tying four touchdowns this season. Now a graduate student, Paulson has a 3.67 grade-point average in General Business after carrying a cumulative GPA of 3.62 as an undergrad.

York, a redshirt junior from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is a three-year starter for a UO squad that currently ranks fifth in the nation in rushing and third in scoring. Off the field, he carries a 3.76 GPA in Advertising.

For fellow fifth-year senior Asper, who starts at the right guard spot opposite York's left guard position, the first-team academic honor was his first. A native of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Asper has a 3.77 GPA in Educational Leadership as a grad student. He earned all-academic honorable mention in 2010.

Junior wide receiver Justin Hoffman (3.61, Geography/Psychology) and sophomore defensive lineman Taylor Hart (3.20, Sociology) were named to the second team.

Junior linebacker Michael Clay, sophomore wide receiver Daryle Hawkins, sophomore linebacker Keloni Kamalani, sophomore kicker Alejandro Maldonado, freshman linebacker Derrick Malone, senior tight end Nick Musgrove, junior snapper Jeff Palmer, junior punter Jackson Rice and freshman defensive lineman Tony Washington earned honorable mention.

All told, the Ducks had 14 players recognized for their academic prowess, tying Utah for the most in the Pac-12.

To be eligible for selection to the academic team, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average and be either a starter or significant substitute.

Source: goducks.com