Karam Named to C-USA All-Academic Team

University of Memphis quarterback Jacob Karam has been named to the 2012 Conference USA All-Academic Team. C-USA announced the team of 14 student-athletes on Thursday.

Karam was one of three graduate students, which along with four seniors, four juniors and three sophomores, to make up the team.

In all, 11 C-USA schools were represented on the academic team which consists of student-athletes who have earned a 3.2 grade point average or better and are a starter or key reserve on their team.

Karam was immediately eligible to play for the Tigers after graduating magna cum laude from Texas Tech in December, 2011. He earned his bachelor's degree in university studies/pre-law. At Memphis, Karam is working toward a Master's of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with a focus on law and business. Named to the Tiger 3.0 Club and a member of the Dean's List for the 2012 spring semester, Karam carries a 3.71 cumulative grade point average.

The Tigers' starting quarterback completed 176-of-274 passes for 1,895 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also ran for 221 net yards and a touchdown. As a team, Memphis had just three interceptions which tied for fourth fewest among Football Bowl Subdivision teams.

Karam closed out his first season by completing 40-of-52 passes for 579 yards during the team's final three games, all Tiger victories as the University of Memphis posted a 4-8 record including a 4-4 mark in Conference USA play.

2012 C-USA All-Academic Team (Name, School, Yr., GPA, Major, Hometown)

Adhem Elsawi, East Carolina, R-Jr., 3.51, Biology, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

**Matt Milner, East Carolina, R-Jr., 4.00, Physics, Raleigh, N.C.

Dominick LeGrande, Marshall, Grad., 3.50, Adult & Technical Education, Staten Island, N.Y.

Jacob Karam, Memphis, Grad., 3.71, Arts & Liberal Studies, Friendswood, Texas

Tanner Leland, Rice, R-Jr., 3.65, Mathematics, Katy, Texas

Randall Joyner, SMU, Jr., 3.46, Sports Management, Carrollton, Texas

Corey Acosta, Southern Miss, R-So., 3.90, Biological Sciences, Memphis, Tenn.

Brandon Francesconi, Southern Miss, Sr., 3.62, Business Management, Burlingame, Calif.

*Ryan Griffin, Tulane, Sr., 3.36, Management, Westlake Village, Calif.

Sam Scofield, Tulane, So., 3.82, Business, Lafayette, La.

Jared St. John, Tulsa, Sr., 3.34, History & Education, Edmond, Okla.

Taylor Klein, UAB, Sr., 3.57, Accounting, Lexington, Ky.

Ray Shipman, UCF, Grad., 3.43, Communications, Miramar, Fla.

Jordan Leslie, UTEP, So., 3.56, Electrical Engineering, Houston, Texas

*repeat selection