By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – With the regular season complete and post-season accolades continuing to file in, the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference announced its All-Academic Team on Tuesday with defensive back Tim Coutras standing as Tennessee Tech's representative on the roster.

Each institution nominated one individual – with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average – for inclusion for the All-Academic Team. To be considered for Scholar-Athlete of the Year, which was voted on by the combined conferences' football communications contacts, the nominees had to have at least a 3.30 GPA.

Coutras, currently in his first semester pursuing his master's degree in business administration, put up spectacular numbers on defense this season. He finished third on the team in overall tackles with 59, including 46 solo and 13 assisted stops. Coutras also had three tackles-for-loss for 12 yards and two forced fumbles. He intercepted three passes for 30 yards and had eight pass breakups.

The Nolensville native was a selection last week to the All-Big South/Ohio Valley Conference first team roster.

Joining Coutras on the All-Academic Team were:

Trayson Fowler, DB, Grad., Charleston Southern
Pierce Holley, QB, Grad., Eastern Illinois
Cole Hoskyns, TE, Sr., Gardner-Webb
Abe Haerr, TE, Jr., Lindenwood
Paxton DeLaurent, QB, Sr., Southeast Missouri
Eriq George, DL, So., Tennessee State
Tevin Shipp, LB, Grad., UT Martin
Ryan Merklinger, OL, Sr., Western Illinois

DeLaurent, a finalist for the Stats Perform FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, was named the winner of the Big South-OVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor. He passed for 4,087 yards and 33 touchdowns while rushing for three other scores this season.

Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information