July 30, 2012
University of South Carolina defensive ends Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney are two of the candidates on the preseason watch list for the 2012 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award.
Taylor, a 6-8, 267-pound senior from Beaufort, S.C., was previously named to the Bronko Nagurski, the Bednarik and the Lombardi watch lists.
Clowney, a 6-6, 256-pound sophomore from Rock Hill, S.C., has also appeared on the Bednarik, Nagurski, Lombardi and Walter Camp Award watch lists, while being a consensus first-team preseason All-SEC candidate.
Now in its eleventh 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 and215 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.
This list is subject to change until the Final Mid-Season Watch List is issued in November. Players may be added or deleted, depending on performance, injury, etc. The 2012 winner will be announced on December 5.
