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Outland Trophy Finalists
University of Idaho senior guard Mike Iupati is one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, which honors college football's most outstanding interior lineman. Finalists for The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards will be announced live on Thursday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Photo - OG Mike Iupati - Idaho
Outland Trophy (Best Interior Lineman)
Mike Iupati, Idaho
Russell Okung, Oklahoma St
Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Iupati, 6'6" 325 lbs.has been the leader of the Vandal offensive line this fall as Idaho is enjoying its best season in a decade. He was recommended to the Senior Bowl committee by Frank Coyle in September 2009 and high on the offensive line list throughout the '09 season.
"He's a big strong man, who has great athletic ability," coach Robb Akey said. "He has the ability to move, the ability to run. He's physical at the point of attack. He also does a lot of good things as he's pulling. He can handle guys out in space. His athleticism combined with his size make him a special player."
There's more to Iupati, who came to Idaho from Western High School at Anaheim, Calif., but who grew up in American Samoa.
"He hasn't been in the United States all that long," said Akey of Iupati, whose family moved to the United States when he was 14. "He just started playing football when he was in high school."
Prior to the season, Iupati was voted as the Vandals' offensive captain.
"He's a first-class young man," Akey said. "He was elected team captain by his teammates for a reason."
Iupati is joined as a finalist by Oklahoma St's Russell Okung and Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh. He is expected to play at the Senior Bowl All-star game in late January 2010.
The Outland Trophy first was awarded in 1946 and is named to honor Pennsylvania's John Outland, one of only a few players in history to be chosen All-America at two positions. He was a consensus All-America in 1898 at tackle and a consensus All-America at back in 1899.
Frank Coyle is a consultant for the Senior Bowl and a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc.
Major College Award Finalists
Photo - Safety Eric Berry - Tennessee
Finalists for The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards – live on Thursday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN – have been announced.
The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards will feature the live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney’s Spirit Award; The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award; and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team.
Outland Trophy (Best Interior Lineman)
Mike Iupati, Idaho
Russell Okung, Oklahoma St
Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Jim Thorpe Award (Best Defensive Back)
Eric Berry, Tennessee
Joe Haden, Florida
Earl Thomas, Texas
Chuck Bednarik Award (Best Defensive Player)
Terrence Cody, Alabama
Brandon Spikes, Florida
Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Maxwell Award (Best All-around Player)
Mark Ingram, Alabama
Colt McCoy, Texas
Tim Tebow, Florida
Davey O’Brien Award (Best Quarterback)
Case Keenum, Houston
Colt McCoy, Texas
Tim Tebow, Florida
Doak Walker Award (Best Running Back)
Toby Gerhart, Stanford
Mark Ingram, Alabama
C.J. Spiller, Clemson
Biletnikoff Award (Best Receiver)
Freddie Barnes, Bowling Green
Jordan Shipley, Texas
Golden Tate, Notre Dame
John Mackey Award (Best Tight End)
Dorin Dickerson, Pittsburgh
Aaron Hernandez, Florida
Dennis Pitta, BYU
Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Best Defensive Player)
Pat Angerer, Linebacker, Iowa
Eric Berry, Safety, Tennessee
Terrence Cody, Tackle, Alabama
Jerry Hughes, End, Texas Christian
Ndamukong Suh, Tackle, Nebraska
Butkus Finalists (Best Linebacker)
Sergia Kindle, Texas
Rolando McClain, Alabama
Eric Norwood, South Carolina
Brandon Spikes, Florida
Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
Lou Groza Award (Best Kicker)
Kai Forbath, UCLA
Leigh Tiffin, Alabama
Blair Walsh, Georgia
Ray Guy Award (Best Punter)
Drew Butler, Georgia
Chas Henry, Florida
Zoltan Mesko, Michigan
George Munger Award (Best Collegiate Coach of the Year)
Al Golden - Temple'
Brian Kelly - Cincinnati
Gary Patterson - Texas Christian
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Finalists
Photo – DT Nda Suh - Nebraska
Five finalists for the 2009 Bronko Nagurski Trophy were announced by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club .
Iowa linebacker Pat Angerer, Tennessee strong safety Eric Berry, Alabama defensive tackle Terrence Cody, Texas Christian defensive end Jerry Hughes and Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh are vying for one of the FWAA's highest honors, its National Defensive Player of the Year award.
The winner will be announced on Dec. 7 and presented the Bronko Nagurski Trophy at a gala banquet at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C., where North Carolina St coach Tom O'Brien will be the keynote speaker.
The FWAA's National Defensive Player of the Year Award is named after Bronko Nagurski, who dominated college football at Minnesota as a bruising fullback and defensive tackle from 1927-29. He could have been an All-American at any position playing 60 minutes and was the best player wherever he lined up.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists, selected by the FWAA Committee
Pat Angerer, Linebacker, Iowa , 6-1, 235, Sr. (Bettendorf, Iowa): The top tackler for a 9-2 Iowa team, which won its first nine games of the season. He leads the Hawkeyes with 119 total tackles (79 assisted and 40 unassisted), two tackles for loss (one sack), five passes defended and two forced fumbles. Iowa is 17th in the country in scoring defense.
Eric Berry, Safety, Tennessee , 5-11, 203, Jr. (Fairburn, Ga.): An FWAA All-American in 2008 as a sophomore, he has 70 tackles this season, 44 unassisted, 26 assisted. He has five tackles for loss, two interceptions and six passes broken up for the Volunteers under first-year coach Lane Kiffin. He also has recovered three fumbles and has three quarterback hurries.
Terrence Cody, Tackle, Alabama , 6-5, 365, Sr. (Fort Myers, Fla.): A member of the FWAA All-America team last season, he holds down the Alabama rush defense, which is second in the country. Alabama is second in the country in total defense as well. Cody blocked two field goals in victory over Tennessee, including the potential game-winner as time expired. He has 20 tackles, five for 10 yards in losses, one pass break-up and two quarterback hurries for the unbeaten Crimson Tide.
Jerry Hughes, End, Texas Christian , 6-3, 257, Sr. (Sugar Land, Texas): A Nagurski Trophy finalist for the second straight season, he is the mainstay of a TCU defense, which has led the Horned Frogs to an unbeaten season. TCU is fourth in the country in total defense and sixth in the country in rush and pass defense. Hughes has 49 tackles, 13 tackles for 73 yards in losses (10.5 sacks), one pass broken up, six quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.
Ndamukong Suh #1 Pro Prospect – Draft Insiders
Ndamukong Suh, Tackle, Nebraska , 6-4, 300, Sr. (Portland, Ore.): Leads Nebraska in tackles with 31 unassisted and 25 assisted. He has 13 tackles for 47 yards in losses (five sacks), eight pass breakups, 19 hurries, one forced fumble and three blocked kicks. Nebraska ranks 10th in the country in total defense and 11th in country in rush defense.
The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C., region. The club's activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches. The official website of the Charlotte Touchdown Club is touchdownclub.com.
The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,100 men and women who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards and its annual All-America team.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game's predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association's official Web site, ncfaa.org.
Walter Camp Players to Watch List
Walter Camp Foundation Announces “Players to Watch” for 2009 Player of the Year Award
Photo - RB Mark Ingram - Alabama
The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced the names of fifteen “Players to Watch” for its 2009 Player of the Year award, the fourth-oldest college football award in the nation. Last year’s recipient, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, headlines the 15-player list, which includes four quarterbacks, four running backs, four wide receivers and three defensive standouts. A list of five finalists will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 2. The 2009 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, who is voted on by the Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be presented live on Thurs, Dec. 10 during ESPN Sports Center. The winner will receive his trophy at the Foundation’s annual awards banquet on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010 at Yale University in New Haven.
2009 Walter Camp Player of the Year “Players to Watch”
Name / Class / Position / School
Toby Gerhart , Senior, RB, Stanford - 1,395 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns
Mardy Gilyard , Senior, WR, Cincinnati – Averaging over 180 all-purpose yardage a game
Jerry Hughes , Senior, DL, TCU – 13 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks
Mark Ingram , Soph., RB, Alabama – 1,297 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns
Case Keenum , Junior, QB, Houston – Leads nation with 4,194 passing yards and 31 TDs
Dion Lewis, Freshman, RB, Pittsburgh – 1,291 rushing yards and 13 TDs
Rolando McClain, Junior, LB, Alabama – 77 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 2 interceptions
Colt McCoy, Senior, QB, Texas – Completing 72.3% of passes for 2,792 yards and 19 TDs
Kellen Moore, Soph., QB, Boise State – Leads nation with 172.49 passing efficiency
Jacquizz Rodgers, Soph., RB, Oregon State – 1,545 rushing & receiving yards and 18 TDs
Jordan Shipley, Senior WR, Texas – 81 receptions for 1,096 yards and 8 TDs
C.J. Spiller, Senior, RB/KR, Clemson – Averaging 195.2 all-purpose yards a game
Ndamukong Suh, Senior, DT, Nebraska – 14 QB hurries, 11 tackles for loss, 8 pass breakups and 5 sacks
Golden Tate, Junior, WR, Notre Dame – 1,174 receiving yards and 14 total TDs
Tim Tebow, Senior, QB, Florida – Has passed for 10 touchdowns and rushed for 12 more
Frank Coyle is a consultant for several All-star games including the Senior Bowl. He is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc.
The winner will receive his trophy at the Foundation’s annual national awards banquet on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the Yale University
Commons in New Haven. Walter Camp, “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and continue the tradition of selecting an annual All-America team. Visit site at www.waltercamp.org
The Walter Camp Football Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. Visit www.ncfaa.org.
John Mackey Award Semi Finalists
Photo - Dennis Pitta - BYU
Seniors Head Mackey Finalists
The Nassau County Sports Commission has announced eight semi-finalists for the 2009 John Mackey Award. Listed alphabetically, they are Dorin Dickerson (SR, Pittsburgh), Ed Dickson (SR, Oregon), Aaron Hernandez (JR, Florida), Anthony McCoy (SR, USC), Tony Moeaki (SR, Iowa), Dennis Pitta (SR, BYU), Kyle Rudolph (SO, Notre Dame) and Cody Slate (SR, Marshall).
BYU’s Dennis Pitta is having another fine performance as a receiver in the potent Cougar air game. Through 10 games, he has caught 46 passes for 642 yards for an impressive 14 yard average per catch and 5 TDs He was one of the blue chip tight end prospects we recommended to the Senior Bowl for this January’s premier classic all-star event.
The eight semi-finalists were determined by confidential balloting of the John Mackey Selection Committee. It consists of six seniors, one junior and one sophomore at a position that has become increasing important at both the college and pro levels.
The 2009 John Mackey Award finalists will be announced on Monday, November 23, 2009 at www.johnmackeyaward.org. The John Mackey Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game's predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association's official website, www.ncfaa.org.
2009 John Mackey Award Semi-Finalists
Player / Year / School
Dorin Dickerson - Senior - Pittsburgh
Ed Dickson - Senior - Oregon
Aaron Hernandez - Junior - Florida
Anthony McCoy - Senior - Southern Cal
Tony Moeaki - Senior - Iowa
Dennis Pitta - Senior - BYU
Kyle Rudolph - Sophomore - Notre Dame
Cody Slate - Senior - Marshall
All Time John Mackey Award Recipients
Year / Player / School
2008 - Chase Coffman - Missouri
2007 - Fred Davis - USC
2006 - Matt Spaeth - Minnesota
2005 - Marcedes Lewis - UCLA
2004 - Heath Miller - Virginia
2003 - Kellen Winslow II - Miami
2002 - Dallas Clark - Iowa
2001 - Daniel Graham - Colorado
2000 - Tim Stratton - Purdue
The Mackey Award website features all related information including the John Mackey Selection Committee, the selection process and award criteria, information on all past award recipients and a high resolution image of the award trophy available for download.
Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc.
Lombardi Award Finalists
Photo - Jerry Hughes - TCU
Texas Christian defensive end Jerry Hughes was nominated as one of four finalists for the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award. The Rotary Lombardi Award is presented to the nation's top college football lineman (offense or defense) who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi. The other finalists are Terrence Cody (Alabama), Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma) and Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska). All four seniors rank in the top three pro prospects of their position and carry a first round grade in the NFL Draft 2010 by Frank Coyle and Draft Insiders.
Hughes was also a 2008 consensus All-American and has followed that up with 10 1/2 tackles for loss with nine sacks and is fourth on the Horned Frogs with 41 tackles this fall. He was named to all Midseason All-America teams (SI.com, DrafInsiders.com, CBSSports.com, Sporting News and Phil Steele). Hughes is also one of 16 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award and one of 20 quarterfinalists for the Lott Trophy.
Lombardi Award Finalists
DT Terrence Cody - Alabama
DE Jerry Hughes - Texas Christian
DT Gerald McCoy - Oklahoma
DT Ndaumkong Suh - Nebraska
Finalists will be in Houston for the Dec. 9 ceremony to announce the winner. Former Green Bay Packers standouts Bart Starr and Jerry Kramer will participate in the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award ceremonies as will Vince Lombardi Jr., son of the award's namesake. The voters for the Rotary Lombardi Award consist of all head coaches of NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams, former winners and finalists of the Rotary Lombardi Award and selected members of the media.
Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc.
Walker and Lott Semifinalists Announced
Photo – DE Eric Norwood - South Carolina
Jacquizz Rogers Earns Walker Nominee
Oregon St University athlete Jacquizz Rodgers has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the 20th annual Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s top running back in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Rodgers was also named to the 16-player Maxwell Award (top overall player) semifinalist list last week.
The sophomore running back from Richmond, Texas is tied for second in the nation for touchdowns scored with 16 and is third in the Pac-10 Conf for rushing at 109.9 yards per game.
The 2008 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year (first freshman ever) is already fifth at OSU for career rushing yards with 2,242 in just 20 games. He has been named the Pac-10’s Offensive Player of the Week four times during his brief OSU stint, including after a career-high 189-yard four-touchdown performance against Stanford earlier this season.
Doak Walker Semifinalists
Donald Buckram (Jr., UTEP)
Jonathan Dwyer (Jr., Georgia Tech)
Toby Gerhart (Sr., Stanford)
Mark Ingram (So., Alabama)
Dion Lewis Freshman Pittsburgh
Ryan Mathews (Jr., Fresno St)
Jacquizz Rodgers (So., Oregon St)
C.J. Spiller (Sr., Clemson)
Ben Tate (Sr., Auburn)
Ryan Williams (Redshirt-Fr., Virginia Tech)
The winner of the Doak Walker Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show Dec 10, 2009.
Lott Trophy Semifinalists
DE Sam Acho (Texas)
Safety Eric Berry (Tennessee)
DE Jerry Hughes TCU
Safety Taylor Mays (USC)
LB Rolando McClain (Alabama)
DT Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma)
DE Eric Norwood (South Carolina)
DT Ndaumkong Suh (Nebraska)
Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc.
