Northwestern University Athletics
Jeff Backes Named 2005 Anson Mount Scholar/Athlete Recipient
5/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
May 2, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Two-time Academic All-America cornerback Jeff Backes (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) has added another prestigious honor to his growing list of accomplishments.
Backes has been tabbed the 2005 Anson Mount Scholar/Athlete recipient by Playboy magazine, which results in a $5,000 donation to Northwestern University's general scholarship fund.
A first-team CoSIDA Academic All-America selection in 2004, Backes is majoring in psychology (pre-medicine) at Northwestern. He recently was accepted into Northwestern's School of Medicine.
In addition to the scholarship prize, Backes will attend Playboy's Football Preseason All-America weekend in Phoenix this Friday and Saturday, May 6-7, to take part in a number of media activities.
Earlier this spring, Backes was one of two Northwestern players named to the 2005 Ronnie Lott Award Watch List. The Lott Award, in its second year, is given to a defensive player who makes significant contributions on and off the field.
Backes totaled 45 tackles, nine pass deflections and an interception last year. He also starred as a special teams returner, scoring touchdowns on both a kickoff (97 yards) and punt (73 yards) return in Big Ten play.
Backes played an instrumental role in three of Northwestern's Big Ten victories last year. Versus Ohio State, he totaled 10 tackles (eight solos), an interception in NU's end zone and a 49-yard kickoff return. Against Purdue, Backes came up with a victory-clinching pass breakup in the end zone for a three-point win. And against Illinois, his 73-yard punt return for touchdown late in the game tied the contest, which NU later won in overtime.
To be nominated for the Anson Mount award, the student-athlete must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale and be considered a first-team player.
