Spartans' Mike Sadler up for 'Academic Heisman'

EAST LANSING – Michigan State senior punter Mike Sadler often jokes about his Heisman Trophy candidacy, but his "Academic Heisman" candidacy is real and alive.

Sadler was named a winner today of one of the National Football Foundation's Scholar-Athlete Awards, which includes an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. He is one of 17 members of this year's class – chosen from 169 semifinalists from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA – and that means he is also a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, given to the top scholar in college football.

Sadler, the first three-time Academic All-American in MSU history and seventh NFF Scholar-Athlete, already has a degree in applied engineering sciences, completed with a 3.97 grade-point average. He is pursuing his master's degree in public policy.

The class of 17 will be honored Dec. 9 in New York, where the Campbell Trophy winner will be announced. Sadler is one of three Big Ten players in the class, joining Indiana safety Mark Murphy and Northwestern center Brandon Vitabile.