Oct. 27, 2005
MORRISTOWN, N.J.--Miami University senior quarterback Josh Betts (Vandalia, OH/Butler) has been honored by The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame as one of 16 student-athletes to be named to College Football's 2005 National Scholar-Athlete Class. Along with earning an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship, Betts automatically becomes a finalist for the prestigious Draddy Trophy, which is presented annually to the top scholar-athlete nationally in college football.
Recipients of the recognition were nominated by their respective schools, which were limited to one nomination each, and had to be in their final season of eligibility while possessing a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates also needed to display outstanding football ability as a starter in their respective program while demonstrating strong leadership and citizenship. The 16-member class, which was selected from all divisions of college football, was selected by the NFF Awards Committee and will be recognized at the 48th NFF Awards Dinner on Dec. 6 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
Betts, who was one of eight honorees from NCAA Division I-A, is now a finalist for the Draddy Trophy, which is named in honor of former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a former Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod and Lacoste clothing brands. Along with a stunning 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy, the recipient's postgraduate scholarship is increased to $25,000.
A second-year starter at quarterback for the RedHawks, Betts, who carries a 3.43 grade point average in his finance major, is scheduled to complete his degree this December. The senior, who led the RedHawks to a Mid-American Conference East Division title and berth in the Independence Bowl in 2004, has Miami off to a 4-3 start this season and poised to contend for its third straight MAC East Championship. Betts has completed 158-of-275 passes this season for 1,972 yards and 16 touchdowns. He ranks ninth nationally in completions per game (22.6), 11th nationally in touchdown passes and 17th nationally in passing yardage.
One of the top quarterbacks in program history, Betts already has ascended among the program's elite passers on the career charts, ranking third all-time in career pass completions (451), fourth in career passing yardage (5,823) and fourth in career passing touchdowns (43). He is poised to finish among Miami's top two in each category while attempting to become only the second Miami player to pass for at least 3,000 yards in consecutive seasons.
Betts was honored last season as a CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine First-Team Academic All-District pick, while finishing his first season as a starter ranked 13th nationally in total offense. He's a two-time MAC East Offensive Player of the Week and owns seven career 300-yard passing games. The Vandalia, Ohio, native was the Southwest Ohio Offensive Player of the Year and the Dayton Daily News Division I-II Offensive MVP during his senior season at Butler High School, when he led the Aviators to an 11-2 record.
Joining Betts on the list from NCAA Division I-A are Florida State center David Castillo, Minnesota center Greg Eslinger, Arizona State offensive lineman Grayling Love, Tulsa tight end Garrett Mills, LSU offensive lineman Rudy Niswanger, Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryans and Missouri quarterback Bradley Smith.
