Oct. 23, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford senior center Graham Lemmond was one of 37 Division I-AA players to be named semifinalists for the Draddy Trophy, which recognizes combined academic success, football performance and community leadership.

Lemmond has started the last 18 games in a row at center for Samford after beginning his collegiate career as a defensive lineman. He has been one of the leaders of Samford's offensive line for the past two seasons, and as a senior was named one of the team's four captains.

In the classroom, Lemmond has a 3.561 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. He is a three-time member of the Dean's List and a two-time member of the Ohio Valley Conference's Commissioner's Honor Roll.

The 15 finalists for the award will be announced on Oct. 26, and the winner will be announced at the 49th National Football Foundation Awards Dinner on Dec. 5 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. The award comes with a 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.