Nov. 13, 2006
Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson was named today as one of the 10 “Players to Watch” for the Walter Camp Football Foundation 2006 Player of the Year award, the fourth-oldest individual college football award in the nation.
Johnson, the junior from Tyrone, Ga., is fourth in the nation with a school-record 11 touchdown receptions. He leads the ACC in receptions (53) and receiving yards (808) and has been named ACC Offensive Back of the Week four times this season. In addition, the attention that Johnson draws from defenses opens up Georgia Tech’s running game, which averages better than 160 yards per game.
He is also a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award as the Collegiate Player of the Year as well as a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver.
The 2006 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, who is voted on by the 119 Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced live on the 6:00 p.m. edition of ESPN SportsCenter on Thursday, December 7. The winner will then receive his trophy at the Foundation’s annual national awards banquet on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at the Yale University Commons in New Haven.
Last year’s recipient was Reggie Bush (USC), who is currently a rookie on the New Orleans Saints.
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 to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.
The 10 “Players to Watch” for the 2005 Walter Camp Player of the Year award include:
Colt Brennan, QB, Junior, Hawaii – Has passed for 3,753 yards and 46 touchdowns for 8-2 Warriors.
Michael Hart, RB, Junior, Michigan – Has rushed for 1,373 yards and 11 touchdowns for 11-0 Wolverines.
Calvin Johnson, WR, Junior, Georgia Tech – 52 receptions for 808 yards and 11 touchdowns for 8-2 Ramblin’ Wreck.
Ian Johnson, RB, Soph., Boise State – Has rushed for 1,466 yards and 21 touchdowns for 10-0 Broncos.
James Laurinaitis, Soph., LB, Ohio State – Has 91 tackles, five interceptions and 4 sacks for 11-0 Buckeyes.
Darren McFadden, Soph., RB, Arkansas – Has rushed for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns for 9-1 Razorbacks.
Brady Quinn, QB, Senior, Notre Dame – Has passed for 2,786 yards and 29 touchdowns for 9-1 Fighting Irish.
Ray Rice, RB, Soph., Rutgers – Has rushed for 1,334 yards and 15 touchdowns for 9-0 Scarlet Knights.
Steve Slaton, RB, Soph., West Virginia – Has rushed for 1,363 yards and 12 touchdowns for 8-1 Mountaineers.
Troy Smith, QB, Senior, Ohio State – Has passed for 2,191 yards and 26 touchdowns for 11-0 Buckeyes.
