DEVIN TAYLOR NAMED TO HENDRICKS AWARD WATCH LIST
Gamecock Defensive End on Preseason List
COLUMBIA,
S.C. -- University of South Carolina junior defensive end Devin Taylor
is one of 35 preseason candidates for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End
of the Year Award, the Ted Hendricks Foundation announced today.
Taylor,
a 6-7, 260-pounder from Beaufort, S.C., is a preseason All-SEC pick
after earning first-team All-SEC honors in 2010 when he recorded 13.0
tackles for loss including 7.5 sacks. He was also credited with 11
quarterback hurries and eight pass breakups. He recovered a pair of
fumbles and returned an interception for a touchdown against Tennessee.
Now
in its tenth season, the Ted Hendricks Award is named in honor of
college football’s first three-time first-team All-American. As a
defensive end at the University of Miami, Ted used his agility, height
and reach to block passes and kicks, force interceptions and pressure
quarterbacks and running backs. He roamed the front line, read
plays and blitzed on impulse, completely transforming the way the
defensive end position was played. His professional career
spanned 15 years and 215 consecutive games. It included four
Super Bowl victories, eight Pro Bowl selections and inductions into the
College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. It is in the spirit of
Ted Hendricks’ aggressive style of play, winning attitude and
determination that the Defensive End of the Year Award for college
football’s premier defensive end is presented.
On-field
performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities,
contributions to school and community and academic preparedness are
some of the criteria used to determine the Award’s winner.
Members of the national media, head coaches, professional scouts and
former winners are included in the Award’s voting committee.
Candidates may represent any class (Freshman through Senior) as well as
any four-year NCAA accredited school. The candidate’s primary
position must be Defensive End.
Previous
recipients of the Hendricks Award include: 2002 - Terrell Suggs
(Arizona State), 2003-04 - David Pollack (Georgia), 2005 - Elvis
Dumervil (Louisville), 2006 - LaMarr Woodley (Michigan), 2007 - Chris
Long (Virginia), 2008 - Brian Orakpo (Texas), 2009 - Jerry Hughes (TCU)
and 2010 – Da’Quan Bowers (Clemson).
The 2011 winner will be announced on December 7.
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