SALEM, OR -- Willamette University football players Kevin Dean (Sr., FB, 59, 204 lbs., Weed, CA/
Weed HS) and Ben Weyerhaeuser (Sr., SS, 62, 223 lbs., Eatonville, CA/Charles Wright Academy) have been named to the inaugural National Football Foundation National Honor Society, which is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a 3.2 GPA or better. A total of 345 players from 195 schools earned recognition as part of the inaugural class, as announced by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame on Wednesday, April 25.
The NFF honor is the second major academic award that Dean and Weyerhaeuser have received since the end of the 2006 season. In November, the pair were named First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VIII, as selected by member of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). A total of 23 student-athletes received Academic All-District VIII honors.
Dean was named Academic All-District VIII for the second consecutive season. Dean graduated in December with a 3.63 grade point average, while majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Classical Studies. On the field last season he carried the ball 45 times for 303 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry. Dean was chosen NWC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 25, after rushing for 168 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 carries in Willamettes 41-35 win at Menlo College.
During his career, Dean gained 552 yards on 93 rushing attempts (5.9 avg.). He scored eight touchdowns and provided many important blocks from his fullback position, while playing in all 39 games the past four seasons. He was named Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference in 2005. He served on the WU Football Leadership Council and was a member of the Willamette Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Weyerhaeuser, meanwhile, ranked third on the 2006 Willamette team with 44 total tackles, including 23 unassisted tackles. He recorded six tackles for losses, broke up three passes and recovered one fumble last season. Weyerhaeuser earned a career-high 10 tackles against Linfield College on Sept. 30.
In four seasons at Willamette, Weyerhaeuser accumulated 69 total tackles, with 38 solo tackles and 31 assists. His career totals also include 10 tackles for losses and 2.0 quarterback sacks. He played in 25 games during his career. He currently has a 3.55 GPA and will graduate with a degree in Psychology in May.
Qualifications for membership in the inaugural NFF National Honor Society include:
Being a starter or a significant substitute in ones last year of eligibility at an accredited NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, or an NAIA college or university;
Achieving a 3.2 cumulative grade point average throughout entire course of undergraduate study; and
Meeting all NCAA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.
