McNeese State senior defensive back Brant Linde has been named a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame 2008 Draddy trophy and national scholar-athlete award.

The award honors the best and brightest players on the college gridiron.

“I would hope that I have a shot to become a finalist. The scholarship money would be fantastic,” Linde said.

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Linde, a 2004 Mandeville High School graduate, played football and basketball for the Skippers. He also ran track for one year as a junior. Linde said he is actively involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“Our football team gets involved in a lot of stuff around town. We visit elementary schools interacting with the students. I think it is important to be a good role model,” Linde added.

Linde was a second team academic all-American last year and has been honored for the past two years as a scholar athlete by the Southland Conference. He is now in his third year as a starting defensive back for the Cowboys.

Linde was named a Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week last season for his 11-tackle, one sack performance in a 28-7 victory over Nicholls State.

He has registered 22 individual tackles and 10 assists from his secondary position with one fumble recovery. The Cowboys are 3-2 overall following a 45-42 Southland Conference opening loss Saturday to Texas State. Linde registered seven solo stops and two assists in the Texas State game.

Archie Manning is chairman of the NFF and he said, “The Draddy Trophy is one of college football’s most sought after and competitive awards. It recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership.”

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, having outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.

The Draddy award comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post- graduate scholarship. The NFF awards committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 29. Each finalist will be recognized as part of the 2008 National Scholar-Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. All announcements will be made at a banquet at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

Linde, an accounting major with a 3.7 grade point average, is scheduled to graduate in December. His favorite subject is history. He said if he is lucky enough to be selected as a finalist for the Draddy Award he would use the scholarship to attend graduate school.

“If I don’t make it as a finalist, I plan on probably getting a job with an accounting firm in the Lake Charles area. I like it out here, and I have a lot of friends here,” Linde added.

Brant is the son of Roger and Barbara Linde of Mandeville.