Fifth-year linebacker
Jacob Dobbs has been named the Patriot League Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as announced on Wednesday, Nov. 22. He is joined by junior running back
Jordan Fuller and fifth-year running back
Tyler Purdy on the Academic All-Patriot League Team.
Dobbs is the fourth Crusader ever to be named the Patriot League Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year, joining Ryan McGuire (2008), Jake Wieczorek (2016) and
Peter Oliver (2021).
A four-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll selection, in addition to a 2021 Academic All-District and now two-time Academic All-Patriot League honoree, Dobbs owns a 3.76 cumulative grade-point average as an economics and religious studies double major. On the field, he is a two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and four-time All-Patriot League honoree, while owning the Patriot League record for career tackles (432). His 46.5 tackles for loss are the most in Holy Cross history, while his 22.5 sacks are fourth in school history.
In 2023, Dobbs ranked as one of the most elite defensive players in the nation, totaling 123 tackles (63 solo), 12 tackles for loss, six quarterback sacks, three forced fumbles and 14 quarterback hurries in nine games. He recorded double-digit tackles in every contest; his 13.7 tackles per game and 7.0 solo tackles per game both ranked as the second-best marks in the nation.
Dobbs is a four-year captain for the Crusaders, only the second player in team history to hold that honor. He is a finalist for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy, presented to the nation's best football scholar-athlete, in addition to being named a finalist for the 2023 Doris Robinson Award, which is presented to an FCS student-athlete who excels on the playing field, in the classroom and across the community.
Fuller becomes a two-time Academic All-Patriot League selection after previously earning the honor in 2022; as an economics major, he owns a 3.63 grade-point average. He became a two-time All-Patriot League honoree after earning first team honors this fall, and was a three-time Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week selection in 2023. His previous accolades include being a 2022 HERO Sports Sophomore All-American, two-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll selection, 2022 CSC Academic All-District honoree and 2022 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar.
He finished the 2023 season as the program's all-time leader in career rushing touchdowns (40) as just a junior. This year, he also set a single-season program record for rushing touchdowns (18, 2023), while leading the nation in rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns (19) and scoring (11.4 points per game). He ended the year with a career-best 1,046 rushing yards.
Purdy earns Academic All-Patriot League honors for the first time in 2023. As an economics and religious studies double major, he has a 3.61 grade-point average. Purdy is a four-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll selection and was an All-Patriot League honoree during the Spring 2021 season. He finished the 2023 campaign with 435 rush yards, 166 receiving yards and four total touchdowns, with all of his touchdowns coming in league play. He ranked third on the team in rush yards this season, and finished his Holy Cross career with 1,715 all-purpose yards.
To be eligible for the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and the Academic All-Patriot League Team, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and be a starter or key player in his/her sport. Freshmen or students in their first academic year at their school are not eligible for the honor.
These honors recognize student-athletes who excel in their sport and the classroom. The awards are voted on by Patriot League football sports information directors, who are not eligible to vote for their student-athletes.
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