2016 CoSIDA Division II Football Academic All-America Teams

AUSTIN, Texas - Colorado School of Mines' Caleb Courkamp, Colin Peter, and Hasan Shaar have been named CoSIDA Academic All-America in football.

Shaar and Courkamp earned first-team spots at offensive line and defensive back, respectively, while Peter garnered a second-team selection. All three men were named Academic All-District on Nov. 3. Mines' three selections are the most in the nation, the second straight year the Orediggers have had that distinction after four Academic All-Americans a year ago. Mines football has now had 19 Academic All-Americans since 1972, with 14 coming since the 2010 season.

Shaar was a Second-Team Academic All-American last year, while Courkamp and Peter earn their first career honors. To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings.

Courkamp, a redshirt senior, earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering in May and is currently pursuing his master's degree in engineering and technology management with a 3.81 GPA. He has started every game at strong safety this season, producing 57 total tackles (31 solo). Courkamp generated three turnovers including two in the NCAA tournament with an interception at Southwest Baptist and a forced fumble against Ferris State; he also had a fumble recovery at Fort Lewis earlier in the season. Courkamp is a two-time RMAC First-Team All-Academic pick, including this year, and was a 2015-NFFCC Academic All-Colorado First-Team selection.

Peter is a redshirt junior with a 3.94 GPA majoring in mechanical engineering. An Honorable Mention All-RMAC honoree, he was a do-it-all offensive lineman playing multiple positions, including starts at both tackle spots. Peter helped Mines produce the nation's #1 total offense. Peter was a big part of a rushing attack that generated 207 yards per game, including two of the three best rushing games in program history. Peter is a three-time RMAC Academic Honor Roll member and 2015 NFFCC Academic All-Colorado First-Teamer.

Shaar, a redshirt senior and team captain, is also an engineering and technology management master's degree student after completing his B.S. in petroleum engineering with a 3.85 GPA. A 2015 CoSIDA Second-Team Academic All-American, Shaar was also a 2014 and 2015 Academic All-District recipient and 2015 D2CCA Second-Team All-Region and First-Team All-RMAC selection. The left guard started 36 consecutive games to end his career, earning repeat First-Team All-RMAC honors and helping Mines produce its big offensive numbers while allowing only 18 sacks in 525 passing downs. Mines also ranks fourth in the nation in the fewest tackles for loss allowed this season while averaging 5.2 yards per rushing attempt.