View the complete FCS ADA Academic All-Star team (PDF)

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech sophomore wide receiver Cody Matthews has been selected as one of just 54 players on the 15th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic All-Star Team. He is one of four football players from the Ohio Valley Conference chosen for the honor squad.

"The FCS ADA is pleased to honor the accomplishments of our football student-athletes each year with our Academic All-Star Team," said FCS ADA President Ron Strollo, director of athletics at Youngstown State University. "The accolades of these young men both in the classroom and on the field epitomize the definition of student-athlete and our Association looks forward to recognizing their accomplishments annually."

Matthews had 28 catches for 477 yards and four touchdowns in the 2012 season, all numbers which ranked second on the team. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch, a figure that was also second-best on the team. A third-year member of the roster from Gallatin, Tenn., Matthews spent his first season as a redshirt defensive back. He made the move to wide receiver in the 2011 spring drills and has played that position for two years.

A communications major, he owns a 3.78 grade point average and has been named on the TTU Athletic Director's Honor Roll every semester and the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll twice. His first season netted 12 catches for 169 yards and three touchdowns. In two years, he has made 40 catches for 646 yards and seven scores.

He is the son of Chuck Matthews and Chandra Matthews.

In addition to Matthews, the only other players from the Ohio Valley Conference included on the list were placekicker Cameron Berra and offensive lineman Dominic Pagliara of Eastern Illinois, and offensive lineman Patrick Ford from Eastern Kentucky.

Football players from all Football Championship Subdivision institutions are eligible for these prestigious awards. Each of the 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. He must have reached his second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. He must also have participated in 50 percent of the games played at his designated position.