MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama football program repeated multiple accomplishments Thursday with the release of the 2014 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Capital One Academic All-District 4 team.

For the second time in three years the Jaguars had a pair of individuals recognized — including the second player to be honored more than once — with the announcement that seniors Rush Hendricks and Jesse Kelley were both selected to the squad.

After being named first-team academic all-district a year ago, Hendricks joins Trey Clark as the only two individuals in school history to earn the distinction on a second occasion.  The Jay, Fla., native, who is one of two individuals on the roster already enrolled in graduate school after earning his undergraduate degree in exercise science with a 4.0 grade-point average, was named the 2013-14 Sun Belt Conference Male Postgraduate Scholar-Athlete of the Year last spring and has also made the league's Commissioner's List three times.

On the field, the tight end is among the squad's leaders with five special teams tackles after recording six solo stops during the 2013 campaign.

Kelley, who hails from Birmingham, Ala., and was a preseason second-team all-conference selection, stands among the team leaders on the defensive line with 29 total stops, a figure which includes four behind the line of scrimmage with three sacks.  He was credited with career highs of six tackles, two stops for loss and 1½ sacks in USA's Oct. 18 win over Georgia State while also posting six stops two weeks prior in a victory at Appalachian State.  He also made five tackles against current No. 1 Mississippi State and had four, with one behind the line and a forced fumble, against SBC leader Georgia Southern.

In addition to ranking among the top 10 in the program's record books with 17 stops for loss (eighth) and 7½ sacks (seventh), Kelley — a meteorology major — has been named to the Sun Belt Commissioner's List each of the last two years.

District 4 at the NCAA Division I level in the organization includes the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.  Hendricks and Kelley will now appear on the national ballot, with the CoSIDA Academic All-America team set to be released on Thursday, Dec. 4.

To be eligible for academic all-district honors, individuals must maintain a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average or better, be a starter or important reserve, and must have sophomore status both academically and athletically.

Hendricks, Kelley and the Jags will next be in action Saturday when USA faces Arkansas State in Jonesboro, with kickoff slated for 2 p.m.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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