Gamecocks Host Senior Banquet/Awards Ceremony Saturday

The University of South Carolina football program held its annual Senior Banquet and Awards Ceremony Saturday night at the Founder’s Zone at Williams-Brice Stadium.
 
Record-setting wide receiver Bryan Edwards was selected by his teammates as the Steve Wadiak Most Valuable Player. Edwards, T.J. Brunson, Javon Kinlaw, Donell Stanley, and D.J. Wonnum were named the Rex Enright permanent team captains.
 
Here is the complete list of award winners:
 
COACHES’ AWARDS:
Comeback Player of the Year – D.J. Wonnum
Nutrition Award – Kingsley Enagbare, Donell Stanley, D.J. Wonnum
Dr. Harris Pastides Outstanding Student-Athlete Award – Chavis Dawkins, Javon Kinlaw, Kobe Smith, Keir Thomas, D.J. Wonnum, Dylan Wonnum
Community Service Award – Spencer Eason-Riddle
Strength & Conditioning Award – Kevin Harris, Dakereon Joyner, D.J. Wonnum
Offensive Scout Team Award – Slade Carroll
Defensive Scout Team Award – Rodricus Fitten
Special Teams Scout Team Award – Jaylan Foster
 
PLAYERS’ CHOICE AWARDS:
Unselfish Teammate – Offense – Dakereon Joyner, Donell Stanley
Unselfish Teammate – Defense – Javon Kinlaw
Unselfish Teammate – Special Teams – Spencer Eason-Riddle
Tenacity Award – Offense – Rico Dowdle, Bryan Edwards
Tenacity Award – Defense – Javon Kinlaw
Tenacity Award – Special Teams – Joseph Charlton, Spencer Eason-Riddle
Leadership Award – Offense – Donell Stanley
Leadership Award – Defense – T.J. Brunson
Leadership Award – Special Teams – Joseph Charlton
MVP – Offense (Steve Spurrier Award) – Bryan Edwards
MVP – Defense (Joe Morrison Award) – Javon Kinlaw
MVP – Special Teams (Jim Carlen Award) – Joseph Charlton
Most Explosive Player – Offense – Bryan Edwards
Most Productive Player – Defense – Javon Kinlaw
Most Productive Player – Special Teams – Joseph Charlton
Steve Wadiak MVP Award – Bryan Edwards
Rex Enright Captains’ Award – T.J. Brunson, Bryan Edwards, Javon Kinlaw, Donell Stanley, D.J. Wonnum

2019 SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS

• The highlight of the 2019 season came when the Gamecocks defeated No. 3 Georgia, 20-17, in overtime in Athens. That win matched the 1981 win at North Carolina as the second-best win in school history based on the Associated Press rankings, topped only by the 2010 win over No. 1 Alabama.
• The Gamecocks faced the nation’s toughest schedule in 2019, according to the NCAA. The Gamecocks played the No. 3, 5, 9, 13, and 20^th-ranked teams in the final College Football Playoff Rankings. Nine of their 12 opponents will play in bowl games.
• This senior class was part of the greatest decade in South Carolina Football history. From 2010-19, the Gamecocks posted a 78-51 record, a .605 winning percentage. The 78 wins were 10 more than the previous high for a decade, while the team won more than 60 percent of its games in a decade for the first time in school history.
• Seven seniors have been invited to play in postseason all-star games. Joseph Charlton, Bryan Edwards, Javon Kinlaw and D.J. Wonnum have all accepted invitations to the Reese’s Senior Bowl; Rico Dowdle and Tavien Feaster will represent South Carolina in the East-West Shrine Bowl, and T.J. Brunson will play in the NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl.
• Senior Bryan Edwards became the school record holder with 234 career pass receptions, 3,045 career receiving yards and a 48-consecutive games with a reception. He also ranks third in career receiving touchdowns and tied for fifth with eight 100-yard receiving games. He led the SEC with 7.1 receptions per game and earned second-team All-SEC accolades.
• Senior Jake Bentley finished his Carolina career ranked second in completion percentage, third in pass completions and passing touchdowns, tied for third in touchdowns responsible for, fourth in pass attempts and passing yards, and sixth in career wins.
• Senior Rico Dowdle finished his career ranked 15th on the school’s all-time rushing list with 2,167 yards.
• Senior defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw earned first team All-SEC and second team All-America honors and has been projected as a probable first round draft pick.
• Senior BUCK D.J. Wonnum wrapped up his Gamecock career ranked ninth with 29.5 tackles for loss. He was a second-team All-SEC selection.
• Senior linebacker T.J. Brunson logged 164 career unassisted tackles, tying for 10th on the school’s all-time list.
• Senior punter Joseph Charlton averaged 47.7 yards per punt, ranking third in the country and breaking his own single-season school record by nearly three yards. He also owns the school’s best career punting average at 45.5 yards. He was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s top punter.
• Thirteen Gamecocks played in 2019 with an undergraduate degree in hand. Eleven more will be receiving their undergraduate degrees on Monday, while Daniel Fennell will be receiving his Master’s degree.