CLEVELAND, OH -- Mike Byrne (at right), a senior co-captain for the University of Delaware football team that advanced to the NCAA national championship game in December, has been named to the 10th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association National Academic All-Star team.

Byrne, a 6-6, 295 lb. offensive tackle from Lititz, PA (Manheim Central High School), was one of 51 players from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision honored for their accomplishments both in the classroom and on the playing field. Nominees must carry a 3.2 or higher grade point index and be a key starter or reserve.

Byrne, who led the Blue Hens to an 11-4 record in 2007, earned All-American honors for his play on the field from four separate outlets this season, gaining first team honors by the College Sporting News and by the Walter Camp Foundation, second team honors from The Sports Network, and third team laurels from the Associated Press.

A four-year letterwinner, three-year starter, and a 2007 co-captain, Byrne spearheaded an offense that led the Colonial Athletic Association in scoring offense (36.2, 11th in NCAA), passing offense (289.5), and total offense (460.6).

Byrne carries a 3.5 grade point average as a double major in psychology and criminal justice. He earned first team ESPN The Magazine/ College Sports Information Directors of America District 2 All-Academic honors this past fall after being named to the second team in 2006. He is also a four-time league Academic Honor Roll recipient.

In addition to Byrne, other CAA student-athletes named to the team were QB Anthony Orio of Northeastern, TE Matt Sherry of Villanova, P Bryan Giannecchini of Rhode Island, S Nick Altomare of Hofstra, and LB John Webb of Towson.

Eight finalists from the group were announced as candidates for the two FCS ADA Post-Graduate Scholarship that will be announced in June. They are Joshua Brite (Delaware State), Brandon Cramer (Dayton), Parker Douglass (South Dakota State), Wes Doyle (San Diego), Corey Koenig (South Dakota State), Tom McAndrews (Eastern Washington), Sherry (Villanova), and Torrey Thomas (Montana).

Byrne will be among nine Delaware seniors who will be honored at the annual Blue Hen Touchdown Club Banquet this Friday, Jan. 25 at Clayton Hall on the UD campus.