Eastern Kentucky University linebacker Jeffrey Canady was recently chosen to the 20th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic All-Star Team.
Of all the FCS football players from across the nation, only 49 were chosen to the Academic All-Star Team. Nominees were required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletics credentials.
The Barbourville, Kentucky native led the team in 2017 with 89 tackles. He had 2.5 sacks and a total of 6.5 tackles for a loss. He ranked fourth in the OVC and 81st in the nation with 8.1 tackles per game. The Phil Steele football publication picked the senior to its All-OVC third team.
Canady recorded 10 or more tackles in three games this past season, including a season-best 15 in Eastern’s 14-10 win over Saint Francis in the season finale. That was the second-most tackles by an OVC player this year. His 1.5 sacks against Kentucky were the most by an OVC player against a power-5 conference team in 2017.
Canady was chosen as a second team preseason All-American by TyrantScouting.com. He was chosen as the adidas® Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week and Madness Ohio Valley Defensive Player of the Week after finishing with 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks against Kentucky. He also earned honorable mention recognition for National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS after that performance.
In the classroom, the former Knox Central High School star posted a 3.63 grade-point-average while earning an undergraduate degree in environmental health science. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in safety, security and emergency management. The Allstate Good Works Team nominee earned a spot on the 2016-17 OVC Commissioner’s Honor Roll and is a two-time College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District® selection.
While pursuing his degree, Canady participated in an internship and a part time job. He worked with the Knox County Health Department where he conducted food inspections with supervision and observed how onsite sewage inspections are administered. During this past summer, he worked as a part time safety technician with the University of Kentucky Environmental Health and Safety department. His main responsibility was inspecting fume hoods in chemical labs throughout the campus and UK Hospital. He also inspected room pressure and reported and maintenance issues.
A special Review Committee of Football Championship Subdivision athletics directors was responsible for selecting the all-star team. Now in its 24th year, the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association’s mission is to enhance Football Championship Subdivision football. For more information on the FCS ADA, visit www.fcsada.com.
— www.EKUSports.com —
Kevin Britton
Assistant Athletics Director for Communications & Branding
