Senior defensive end Alan Baxter, senior defensive tackle Nabal Jefferson, senior tight end Jason Schepler and sophomore fullback Rob Sterling were all selected to the Academic All-District first team.

With their selection to the All-District first team, they will advance to the Capital One Academic All-America ballot for 2012.

This is the first time NIU football has had four players selected since 2004.

Baxter carriers a 3.61 GPA in finance. He has played in 48 games during his career as a Huskie.

This season, Baxter has made 47 tackles, which is fifth on the team. He has posted a career-high seven and a half sacks which ranks third in the MAC.

He is also second on the team and ninth in the MAC with nine tackles for a loss.

Jefferson is an accountancy major and he maintains a 3.78 GPA. Jefferson has played in 49 career games for the Huskies.

This season the defensive lineman has made 41 tackles along with four and a half tackles for a loss. He has also sacked the quarterback once.

Schepler is majoring in electrical engineering and has a 3.86 GPA.

Since returning from a knee injury last season, Schepler has been a leader for the Huskies’ offense and plays a huge role in their running game.

This season, he leads the Huskies in pancake blocks with 40 and has two catches for 42 yards and a touchdown.

Sterling holds a 6.64 GPA and majors in accountancy.

While Sterling plays a big role at fullback, he also has a big job on special teams.

In order to be selected for the Capital One Academic All-America program, players must be a starter or important reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher and be at least a sophomore.