Fifteen Nebraska football players have been named to the 2007 Academic All-Big 12 football team, the conference office announced on Tuesday. Among the group of Husker players honored, 12 were named to the first team with another three players earning second-team recognition.

The Nebraska honorees were led by junior linebacker Tyler Wortman who posted a perfect 4.0 grade-point average during the past year. Among the 151 student-athletes honored by the Big 12, Wortman, a mechanical engineering major, was one of seven players recognized for carrying a perfect grade-point average.

Also notable among Nebraska’s first-team selections is tight end J.B. Phillips, who was a first-team selection for the fourth consecutive year. Phillips graduated with his degree in marketing in December of 2006, and is currently pursuing his master’s degree.

Senior linebacker Lance Brandenburgh and junior wide receiver Todd Peterson earned first-team academic All-Big 12 honors for the third time in each of their careers. Five others players earned academic honors for the second time, including senior tight end Josh Mueller, junior punter Dan Titchener, junior safety Matt O’Hanlon, junior defensive end Zach Potter and senior linebacker Bo Ruud.

Seven Huskers earned Academic All-Big 12 honors for the first time in their careers, including Wortman, sophomore receiver Wes Cammack, senior safety Ben Eisenhart, senior offensive lineman Victory Haines, junior offensive lineman Lydon Murtha, senior fullback Andy Sand and senior fullback Matt Senske.

Nebraska’s 15 Academic All-Big 12 selections were the third-most among conference schools and NU’s 12 first-team selections were the second-highest total in the league.

To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or during the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of his team’s scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.

First Team

Lance Brandenburgh      Sr.        LB        Business Administration             Overland Park, Kan.

Wes Cammack              Soph.    WR       Agricultural Engineering              DeWitt, Neb.

Ben Eisenhart                Sr.        S          History                                      Culbertson, Neb.

Victory Haines               Sr.        OL        Math                                         Logan, Utah

Josh Mueller                  Sr.        TE        Business Administration             Columbus, Neb.

Lydon Murtha                Jr.         OL        Economics                                Hutchinson, Minn.

Todd Peterson               Jr.         WR       Nutritional Science and Diet.       Grand Island, Neb.

J.B. Phillips                   Sr.        TE        Marketing (MBA)                        Colleyville, Texas

Andy Sand                    Sr.        FB        Business Administration             Lincoln, Neb.

Matt Senske                  Sr.        FB        Business Administration             Bellevue, Neb.

Daniel Titchener              Jr.         P         Accounting                                Cheyenne, Wyo.

Tyler Wortman               Jr.         LB        Mechanical Engineering              Grand Island, Neb.

Second Team

Matt O’Hanlon               Jr.         S          Pre-Social Science                    Bellevue, Neb.

Zach Potter                   Jr.         DE        Communication Studies              Omaha, Neb.

Bo Ruud                       Sr.        LB        Business Administration             Lincoln, Neb.