Miami's Vernon Named to Ted Hendricks Award Watch List
Aug. 9, 2011
CORAL GABLES, Fla.– University of Miami junior defensive end Olivier Vernon has been named to the 2011 watch list for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award, as announced Tuesday by the Ted Hendricks Foundation. Vernon is one of 35 candidates named to the preseason list.
Now in its 10th season, the Ted Hendricks Award is named in honor of college football’s first three-time first-team All-America performer. As a defensive end at the University of Miami, Ted used his agility, height and reach to block passes and kicks, force interceptions as well as 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.
Vernon played in 13 games a season ago, starting 11 at his defensive end position. He ranked second on the team and 11th in the ACC with 6.0 sacks, while ranking fourth among all Canes with 10.5 tackles for loss. In his career, he has played in 24 games, garnered 13 starts and recorded 64 total tackles. Earlier this summer, Vernon was named a preseason All-ACC candidate by Phil Steele Magazine.
On-field performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities, contributions to their 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 35-man preseason list is subject to change. The Mid-Season Watch List is issued in November and players may be added or deleted depending on performance, injury, etc. The 2011 winner will be announced on December 7.
2011 Ted Hendricks Award Preseason Watch List
Frank Alexander, Oklahoma
Cordarro Law, Southern Miss
Jake Bequette, Arkansas
Frank Alexander, Oklahoma
Cordarro Law, Southern Miss
Jake Bequette, Arkansas
Kapron Lewis-Moore, Notre Dame
Broderick Binns, Iowa
Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh
Andre Branch, Clemson
Stansly Maponga, Tcu
Vince Browne, Northwestern
Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy
Quinton Coples, North Carolina
Shea McClellin, Boise State
Jack Crawford, Penn State
Cameron Meredith, Nebraska
Izaan Cross, Georgia Tech
Alex Okafor, Texas
Vinny Curry, Marshall
Donte Paige-Moss, North Carolina
Cory Dorris, Tulsa
Nick Perry, USC
Brandon Harold, Kansas State
Jacquies Smith, Missouri
Wes Horton, USC
Devin Taylor, South Carolina
Bruce Irvin, West Virginia
Taylor Thompson, Smu
Brandon Jenkins, Florida State
Deangelo Tyson, Georgia
Cam Johnson, Virginia
Ryan Van Bergen, Michigan
Ethan Johnson, Notre Dame
Olivier Vernon, Miami
Datone Jones, UCLA
Nathan Williams, Ohio State
Mario Kurn, San Diego
