Merrick, DeMunbrun Named to Academic All-District Teams

Rice defensive back Michael Merrick and offensive tackle Chris DeMunbrun have been named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District VI team.

They were tabbed to the honor unit’s first team and will be on the national ballot for Academic All-America honors as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

DeMunbrun, a senior from Houston (St. Thomas), started nine Rice games this season at right tackle, helping the Owls to 264.2 rushing yards per game, currently the fourth-best average in the nation. He has a 3.573 cumulative grade point average in a double major of anthropology and managerial studies.

Merrick, a sophomore from The Woodlands (High), started the first five games this season until sidelined with an ankle injury. He’s been credited with 23 tackles this season, including a career high of nine against Texas. He currently owns a 3.654 GPA in economics/managerial studies/biochemistry. It’s the second straight year that he has been honored on the all-district team.

—Bill Cousins