Dec. 31, 2008
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech sophomore running back Jonathan Dwyer, who will play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl tonight against LSU, has been named Sporting News Magazine’s college football player to watch in 2009.
The new magazine, which hits newsstands this week, spotlights one athlete in each sport. Dwyer joins Kalin Lucas, Michigan State (college basketball); Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Arizona Cardinals (NFL); Victor Hedman, Modo/Sweden (NHL); O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies (NBA); Tommy Hanson, Atlanta Braves (baseball); and David Ragan (NASCAR).
Dwyer enters tonight’s game with 1,328 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns on the season.
Sporting News calls Dwyer “college football’s best pure option runner in a decade” and hopes to do even bigger things than he did in 2008, when he rushed for at least 100 yards in nine of 12 regular-season games.
SN isn’t alone in expecting greatness of Dwyer. Former Yellow Jackets running back Tashard Choice, now with the Dallas Cowboys, tells the magazine, “He’s going to be among the leading rushers in the country next year, and if he stays healthy, he could lead the nation in rushing. He’s that good.”
Dwyer will be featured with a photo taken recently in Bobby Dodd Stadium. The photo was taken by award-winning photojournalist Bob Leverone.
Sporting News Magazine can be purchased at all Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets. For more information, contact SN editor-in-chief Jeff D’Alessio at jdalessio@sportingnews.com.
