The Arizona Wildcats struggled on the football field in 2016, but they’re excelling in the classroom.
Three Wildcats made the Pac-12 All-Academic teams, which the conference announced Wednesday.
Redshirt senior Matthew Stagg made the first team as a special-teamer. Stagg has a 3.92 GPA in molecular and cellular biology. He was credited with two tackles in 11 games.
Redshirt sophomore Christian Boettcher and redshirt freshman Malcolm Holland made the second team. Boettcher, an offensive lineman, has a 3.43 GPA in biochemistry. He started seven games at the two guard positions this season.
Holland, a cornerback, has a 3.53 GPA in economics. Playing primarily on special teams, Holland recorded eight tackles this year.
Five other Arizona players earned honorable mention: offensive lineman Cody Creason, linebacker Jake Matthews, special-teamer Abraham Mendevil, linebacker Carrington Vaughn and offensive lineman Levi Walton.
To be eligible for the academic teams, players must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and appear in at least 50 percent of their team’s games.
To see the complete first and second teams, click here.
