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FOR USE AS DESIRED 2005 NFL DRAFT CLASS EXCELS OFF THE FIELD; Not only was San Francisco 49ers quarterback ALEX SMITH the No. 1 selection in the 2005 NFL Draft, but he might also rank first when it comes to academics, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Utah in just two years. Smith arrived in Salt Lake City from Helix High School in San Diego, California with a strong work ethic built around his family’s emphasis on education. His father, DOUG, the principal at Helix High, encouraged Alex in the classroom, and by high school graduation Alex had 64 Advanced Placement credits. "It kind of happens when you are the principal’s kid," said Smith. "I never got to slack off and I took a full academic load. I had the opportunity to test out of a lot of credits. I was fortunate to start school as an academic junior." Alex’s educational pursuits did not end with just a bachelor’s degree. With two years of eligibility at Utah remaining, the dean of Utah’s business school, JACK BRITTAIN, called athletic director CHRIS HILL to express his wish that Smith pursue his master’s in business administration, which Alex began working towards last semester. Utah coaches and teammates say the same intelligence and work ethic Smith brings to the classroom have allowed him to thrive on the field. "My work ethic in the classroom correlates to my work ethic in the film room," said Smith. "Putting in the time, understanding the system and being totally prepared all come into play." Alex was able to accomplish this enormous academic feat while guiding Utah to its first undefeated season (12-0) since 1930, culminating with the Utes’ victory in the 2004 Fiesta Bowl and Smith’s trip to New York City as a Heisman Trophy finalist. A look at some of the newly-drafted NFL players scoring on and off the field: TE BILLY BAJEMA, Oklahoma State/San Francisco – A general business/pre-med major who earned ESPN Academic All-America, Academic All-Big Twelve Conference, and school honor roll recognition with a 3.7 grade point average. RB MARION BARBER III, Minnesota/Dallas Cowboys – Majored in business marketing education and was the recipient of the Sheldon Douglas Endowed Scholarship. S RONALD BARTELL, Howard/St. Louis Rams – An administration of criminal justice major who interned this past spring and summer at the District of Columbia Juvenile Probation program. RB CEDRIC BENSON, Texas/Chicago Bears – A social work major who was a member of UT’s Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll and the Big Twelve Commissioner’s Honor Roll in the fall of 2003. LB MICHAEL BOLEY, Southern Mississippi/Atlanta Faclons – Graduated with a degree in coaching and sports administration. RB RONNIE BROWN, Auburn/Miami Dolphins – Majored in communications and spent the entire spring and summer of 2004 interning at the Auburn Network where he edited and produced highlight films. DT ANTHONY BRYANT, Alabama/Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Graduated with a degree in criminal justice and is presently enrolled in graduate courses in human environmental sciences. LB KEVIN BURNETT, Tennessee/Dallas Cowboys – A sports management major who earned Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll recognition. RB ANTHONY DAVIS, Wisconsin/Indianapolis Colts – Graduated with a double major in elementary education and African-American studies earning academic honors with a 4.0 average in 2003. Anthony has been a student-teacher in the Madison school system the past two years. T JONATHAN DUNN, Virginia Tech/Cleveland Browns – Graduated with a degree in residential property management. DB VINCENT FULLER, Virginia Tech/Tennessee Titans – Graduated with a degree in business information technology. G JUSTIN GEISINGER, Vanderbilt/Buffalo Bills – A human and organizational development major who is working toward a pre-medicine degree. Justin was a two-time Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll recipient who regularly visits with young patients at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and is a volunteer at the Nashville Humane Society. CB ERIC GREEN, Virginia Tech/Arizona Cardinals – Graduated with a degree in retail property. CB ELLIS HOBBS, Iowa State/New England Patriots – An art and visual communications major who was a three-time ISU Scholar Athlete. Ellis received the Academic Athlete of the Year Award and was a finalist for the Christian Athlete of the Year Award. G MARCUS JOHNSON, Mississippi/Minnesota Vikings – A criminal justice major named to the University of Mississippi Athletic Association Honor Roll in 2002. CB ADAM JONES, West Virginia/Tennessee Titans – An athletic coaching major who is a member of the Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll. WR MATT JONES, Arkansas/Jacksonville Jaguars – A middle school education major, Matt was a member of the 2002 and 2003 SEC and Lon Farrell Academic Honor Rolls. The latter is presented in honor of the former Razorback assistant athletic director by the Little Rock Razorback Club each year to the graduating Arkansas athletes with the highest GPA. CB ANTONIO PERKINS, Oklahoma/Cleveland Browns – Graduated with a degree in criminology/sociology. Antonio twice earned All-Big Twelve Conference academic honors. Antonio plays both the trumpet and baritone. T MICHAEL ROOS, Eastern Washington/Tennessee Titans – Graduated with a double major in finance and economics and twice earned Big Sky Conference academic honors. LB BARRETT RUUD, Nebraska/Tampa Bay Buccaneers – A business management major possessing a 3.29 grade point average, Barrett, has assisted with the FFA Youth Leadership Conference and has been a volunteer speaker during American Education Week. DE BILL SWANCUTTT, Oregon State/Detroit – A business major who earned Verizon All-District and All-Pac 10 Conference academic honors. His great grandfather, C.V. LANGTON, was the Dean of Health and Physical Education at OSU. G CLAUDE TERRELL, New Mexico/St. Louis Rams – Graduated with a communications major and a management minor. Claude wrote a column "Inside the Trenches with Big C," for the Red Menace, a Lobos’ fan website. DE JUSTIN TUCK, Notre Dame/New York Giants – Will graduate in May with a degree in management from the Menzoda College of Business. Following is an academic chart of the players described above:
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