Dec. 5, 2012

The Southeastern Conference coaches have selected University of South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and have named punt returner Ace Sanders as the SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year, the conference office announced today. They are the first Gamecocks to win those awards since Carolina joined the SEC in 1992.

Clowney, a 6-6, 256-pound sophomore from Rock Hill, S.C., is second in the nation in sacks (13.0) and tackles for loss (21.5), both single-season school records. He is a finalist for the Nagurski, Lombardi, Bednarik and Hendricks awards, and was a first-team All-SEC selection by both the Associated Press and Coaches. He is a first team All-American as selected by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

Sanders, a 5-8, 175-pound junior from Bradenton, Fla., set the Carolina single-season record for punt return yards with 363. He was the top punt returner in the SEC, averaging 14.5 yards per return, with seven returns of 27 yards or more. Sanders was a first-team All-SEC returner and a second team All-Purpose back according to the Coaches and a second-team returner by the Associated Press.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina

CO-SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Caleb Sturgis, Florida

Ace Sanders, South Carolina

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Barrett Jones, Alabama

JACOBS BLOCKING TROPHY

Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M

CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR

Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M

Will Muschamp, Florida