Nov. 5, 2008
ROSLYN, Pa. – Georgia Tech senior defensive tackle Vance Walker and head coach Paul Johnson have been named semifinalists for the 14th Chuck Bednarik Award as the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year and the 20th George Munger Award for College Coach of the Year, respectively, Maxwell Football Club President Ron Jaworski announced today.
The respective lists include a field of 15 candidates for each of these awards as selected by the Maxwell Football Club Advisory Committee.
Walkerhas started every game for the Yellow Jackets this season and is seventh on the team with 33 tackles, including 18 solo. He has 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a safety. Walker was recently named the ACC midseason Defensive MVP by ESPN.COM.
Johnson, meanwhile, has guided the Jackets to a 7-2 record and top 20 BCS ranking despite some preseason publications predicting Tech would win as few as three games. Sixteen of Tech’s 22 starters are either freshmen or sophomores.
The announcement of the winners of the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be made during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show that will be broadcast on ESPN on Thursday Dec. 11, 2008. Three finalists for each award will be in attendance for the ESPN broadcast. The Maxwell Football Club will announce the winner of the 20th George Munger Award via a press release in December. The formal presentation of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club’s Awards Dinner, to be held on Friday March 6, 2009 at the Harrah’s Entertainment Complex in Atlantic City, N.J.
Voting for all three of the collegiate awards presented by the Maxwell Football Club will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 5 and close on Sunday, Nov. 23. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA Head Football Coaches, Sports Information Directors and selected national media.
Semifinalists for the 14th Chuck Bednarik Award
Player School Pos. Class
Berry, Eric University of Tennessee S Soph.
Cody, Terrence University of Alabama NT JR
Follett, Zack University of California LB SR
Hughes, Jerry Texas Christian University DE JR
Jenkins, Malcolm Ohio State CB SR
Laurinaitis, James Ohio State LB SR
Maualuga, Rey University of Southern California LB SR
Maybin, Aaron Penn State University DE Soph.
McCoy, Gerald University of Oklahoma DT Soph.
McKillop, Scott University of Pittsburgh LB SR
Orakpo, Brian University of Texas DE SR
Rolle, Myron Florida State University S JR
Spikes, Brandon University of Florida LB JR
Walker, Vance Georgia Tech DT SR
Weatherspoon, Sean University of Missouri LB JR
Semifinalists for the 20th George Munger Award
Coach School
Brewster, Tim University of Minnesota
Brown, Mack University of Texas
Dantonio, Mark Michigan State University
Davis, Butch University of North Carolina
Fitzgerald, Pat Northwestern University
Gundy, Mike Oklahoma State University
*Johnson, Paul Georgia Tech
Leach, Mike Texas Tech University
Meyer, Urban University of Florida
Paterno, Joe Penn State University
Patterson, Gary Texas Christian University
Petersen, Chris Boise State University
Saban, Nick University of Alabama
Stoops, Bob University of Oklahoma
Whittingham, Kyle University of Utah
