2005 Award Winner Bios
2005 Gridiron Award Winners
Heisman Trophy - QB Ronde Samuels - Sr - Florida State Seminoles
There were several worthy candidates this season, but this one basically came down to a two horse race between Samuels and Texas A&M back Marion Songin. There was no wrong answer here, both had superb years. Songin began to "fizzle" at the end of the year, and that may have cost him the award. By fizzle I mean he only averaged about 180 yards a game down the stretch compared to the 230 he averaged earlier in the year. What a slump! Ronde Samuels led the Seminoles all year, completing an amazing 69.5% of his passes, passed for over 4000 yards, with 42 TD's against only 11 interceptions. He managed to throw for 300 yards 7 times and ended up with a passer rating of 176. His accolades don't end there, he also picked up the Davey O'Brien award, was named 1st Team All American, 1st Team ACC, and was the ACC Offensive player of the year.
Chuck Bednarik Award - DE Fred Chamblin - Sr - Auburn Tigers
There were several Linebackers who were very dominant all year who could have easily won the defensive player of the year, but this 300 Lb End grabbed the honor. With great speed and instincts he was a terror to offensive tackles throughout the SEC. Equally damaging against the run and pass he put up the interesting line of 15 sacks, 15 stuffs, and 15 hurries to go along with his 70 tackles. His finest hour came against conference foe LSU, when he picked up 5 sacks and 3 hurries. That'll give any QB nightmares. He also picked up the Outland Trophy as the nation's best defensive lineman and like Ronde Samuels cleaned up on 1st Team All American, 1st team SEC and SEC Defensive player of the Year. Both are projected as early first round draft picks, and we wish them well.
Davey O'Brien Award - QB Ronde Samuels - Sr - Florida State Seminoles
Doak Walker Award - RB Marion Songin - Sr - Texas A&M Aggies
If anyone else won this award as the nation's best back, there would have been a civil war. He clearly set the bar early in the season for everyone else. He massed an incredible 2558 yards rushing at 6.0 yards a clip, picking up 18 scores along the way. Another 34 catches for 309 receiving yards proved him to be a solid 3rd down back as well. That's nearly 3000 yards in total offense for one guy. Through his first nine weeks his lowest rushing total was an incredible 181 yards, and seven times he rushed for over 200, including a 300 yard performance against Baylor. Only twice all season did he rush for *under* 181 yards, and then it was 146 yards both times. His closest competitor was nearly 500 yards behind him. This man carried the Aggies to a surprise BCS playoff bid, and the numbers he put up this season will be hard for anyone to surpass. The sick part: he might not even be the best back on the club, his backup Grogan averaged 7.8 ypc.
Fred Biletnikoff Award - WR Erik Hargett - Jr- Georgia Bulldogs
When you go 12-0 like the Bulldogs did, you've probably got some good players on your team. Isaac Allen grabbed 2nd Tm SEC because he had Hargett to throw to. He tied Syracuses' Cid Conwell with 77 receptions on the year, and was second to him with 1189 yards and 12 TD's. He was an integral part in helping Georgia lead the nation in total offense at 523 yards a game. Along the way to this award he also picked up 1st Team All American and SEC as well. Its not a stretch to say Georgia sincerely hopes he comes back for his senior year!
John Mackey Award - TE Tarik Graff - Jr - Missouri Tigers
While the Aggies were the fan friendly story of the year in the Big-12, Missouri was the most solid team, winning the Big 12 championship with some stifling defense. Offensively they were a mediocre squad, but Tarik Graff stood out enough to pick up the award as the nation's best TE. 52 receptions and 659 yards, he was also a quality blocker as well.
Vince Lombardi Trophy - OT Wade Benson - Sr - Florida State Seminoles
One reason for Ronde Samuel's success this year was the quality play of their offensive line, and there was none finer on that squad then Benson. At the risk of seeming thin in my recognition, I need merely to point out four stats to show his greatness: 31 run blocks, 39 pancakes, 0 sacks allowed, and a resultant Heisman trophy winner in the backfield. Say no more.
Outland Trophy - DE Fred Chamblin - Sr- Auburn Tigers
Dick Butkus Award - ILB Alex Moriarty - Sr - Missouri Tigers
When you have as stifling a defense as Missouri had this year, it's usually backed up by a fantastic middle linebacker. There were a lot of high quality linebackers who had big seasons, and it will be a rich crop in the upcoming draft, but Moriarty separated himself with the sheer numbers he put up. 127 tackes, 94 solo, 11 sacks, 21 stuffs, 11 hurries, 2 force fumbles, 9 passes defended and 3 interceptions. He reached double figures in tackles 9 times in 12 games, was 5th in total tackles, and 1st in stuffs. Honorable mention I believe has to go to New Mexico's Dobie Sanderson, who led the nation with 144 tackles, including a league leading 113 solo tackles. Sometimes the smaller schools get overlooked in these awards, and Sanderson was well deserving of his 1st team selection as well.
Jim Thorpe Award - FS Maxie Samuels - Sr - Florida State Seminoles
Florida State cleaned up with the awards this season, and Samuels nabs this one as the nation's best defensive back. With 112 tackles and 4picks, his numbers were not necessarily breathtaking but his instinctive play separated him from the competition. With 14 tackles against North Carolina, it seemed he knew where the ball was headed before it was even snapped. Still, with 11 and 10 interceptions respectively, there was some debate that Tulsa's Antwan Briggs and Oklahoma State's Lomas Feacher should have won the Award instead.
Lou Groza Award - K Buck Robustelli -Jr- Florida State Seminoles
Surprise, another Seminole takes home a major award. Buck connected on all 57 extra points, though he was only 28 of 38 in field goal attempts. Khary Hazletine of Louisville should have won this award, he connected on 28 of 29 extra points but more impressive 32 of 36 field goals. Must have been a lot of Seminole Alumni voting for these awards, methinks.
Ray Guy Award - P Randall Fenderson - Jr - Texas Longhorns
Fenderson averaged 42 yards a kick, but was a league leader in kicks inside the twenty. There were oodles of punters more qualified to win this award, but then this is a punting award so who really cares about injustice here, except punters of course.
Mosi Tatupu Award - CB D'Wayne McCleskey -So- Missouri Tigers
When you average 25 yards a kickoff return, and no touchdowns like he did this year, nobody really gets excited. But when you average 20 yards a punt return, and return 4 for touchdowns people say put him in the hall of fame. The idea of average 20 yards per punt return is enough to make a punter just kick it into the stands.
All America First Team - Offense
QB Ronde Samuels - Florida State Heisman winners deserve to be first teamers, no surprise here.
RB Marion Songin - Texas A&M He set the bar so high for all other backs. Nearly approached deity status this year.
FB Luke Soward - Arkansas In the forgotten world of fullbacks, Luke was the man this year.
WR Erick Hargett - Georgia Some big numbers on an undefeated team.
WR Qadry Lemons - California 1000 yards, 11 touchdowns
TE London Standlee - Alabama Graf wins the John Mackey as nation's best TE, but Standlee makes first team.
OT Wade Benson - Florida State Big numbers, consensus All American
OT Curtis Gault - Miami (Oh) Nearly equal numbers to Benson, highly deserving.
OG Alyn Latin - Purdue The Big Ten gets some love for their linemen.
OG Martin Fontenot - Penn St. The Big Ten gets more love for their linemen.
C Forrest Germaine - Texas The "Black Forest" was impossible for pass rushers to get through.
Coach of Year - JoJo Hayes - Air Force Undefeated season at a small school, well deserved.
All America First Team - Defense
DE Fred Chamblin - Auburn Big numbers across the board from him this year.
DE Leland Stanback - Oregon The Duck of Wrath put a hurting on ball carriers.
DT Andrew Moriarty - Louisville A key player in the Cardinals' Big East Championship
DT Blanche Jolley - Connecticut Played well above expectations, despite being on a mediocre club.
LB Dobie Sanderson - New Mexico Good enough to be a Butkus finalist and should have won.
LB Lomas Feacher - Oklahoma State Ditto. A very rich crop this year.
LB Dimitrius LeJeune - Florida Atlantic Lets hear it for the little guys! Awesome season.
CB Robaire Schifino - Colorado State 25 passes defended, 7 picked off. First teamer.
CB Aubrey Keating - San Jose State The smaller schools have some awesome corners!
FS Maxie Samuel - Florida State I busted on him for the Thorpe Award, but he's an excellent safety.
SS Saint Conerly - Central Florida Another small school first teamer, ain't that sweet?
P Vai Abraham - New Mexico State Another punter award, hooray!
Honorable mention
QB Kurt Laird - Clemson 4169 yards, 40 touchdowns, the key behind a great Clemson season.
RB J.R. Nuemann - Ohio State Came on strong late in the year, over 2000 yards, 20 TD's
RB Jared Bingaman - Georgia 2000 yards rushing and 20 scores will always get you on this list.
RB Melvin Landry - Tennessee 2000 yards and 6.75ypc, perhaps the second best back.
LB Aundra Hotchkiss - Oklahoma The best player on a stout Sooner defense.
LB Glen Voight - Air Force Undefeated regular season for the Falcons, thanks largely to Glen.
FS LaVell Milan - North Carolina St. Big stats from this tall underclassman.
Heisman Trophy - QB Ronde Samuels - Sr - Florida State Seminoles
There were several worthy candidates this season, but this one basically came down to a two horse race between Samuels and Texas A&M back Marion Songin. There was no wrong answer here, both had superb years. Songin began to "fizzle" at the end of the year, and that may have cost him the award. By fizzle I mean he only averaged about 180 yards a game down the stretch compared to the 230 he averaged earlier in the year. What a slump! Ronde Samuels led the Seminoles all year, completing an amazing 69.5% of his passes, passed for over 4000 yards, with 42 TD's against only 11 interceptions. He managed to throw for 300 yards 7 times and ended up with a passer rating of 176. His accolades don't end there, he also picked up the Davey O'Brien award, was named 1st Team All American, 1st Team ACC, and was the ACC Offensive player of the year.
Chuck Bednarik Award - DE Fred Chamblin - Sr - Auburn Tigers
There were several Linebackers who were very dominant all year who could have easily won the defensive player of the year, but this 300 Lb End grabbed the honor. With great speed and instincts he was a terror to offensive tackles throughout the SEC. Equally damaging against the run and pass he put up the interesting line of 15 sacks, 15 stuffs, and 15 hurries to go along with his 70 tackles. His finest hour came against conference foe LSU, when he picked up 5 sacks and 3 hurries. That'll give any QB nightmares. He also picked up the Outland Trophy as the nation's best defensive lineman and like Ronde Samuels cleaned up on 1st Team All American, 1st team SEC and SEC Defensive player of the Year. Both are projected as early first round draft picks, and we wish them well.
Davey O'Brien Award - QB Ronde Samuels - Sr - Florida State Seminoles
Doak Walker Award - RB Marion Songin - Sr - Texas A&M Aggies
If anyone else won this award as the nation's best back, there would have been a civil war. He clearly set the bar early in the season for everyone else. He massed an incredible 2558 yards rushing at 6.0 yards a clip, picking up 18 scores along the way. Another 34 catches for 309 receiving yards proved him to be a solid 3rd down back as well. That's nearly 3000 yards in total offense for one guy. Through his first nine weeks his lowest rushing total was an incredible 181 yards, and seven times he rushed for over 200, including a 300 yard performance against Baylor. Only twice all season did he rush for *under* 181 yards, and then it was 146 yards both times. His closest competitor was nearly 500 yards behind him. This man carried the Aggies to a surprise BCS playoff bid, and the numbers he put up this season will be hard for anyone to surpass. The sick part: he might not even be the best back on the club, his backup Grogan averaged 7.8 ypc.
Fred Biletnikoff Award - WR Erik Hargett - Jr- Georgia Bulldogs
When you go 12-0 like the Bulldogs did, you've probably got some good players on your team. Isaac Allen grabbed 2nd Tm SEC because he had Hargett to throw to. He tied Syracuses' Cid Conwell with 77 receptions on the year, and was second to him with 1189 yards and 12 TD's. He was an integral part in helping Georgia lead the nation in total offense at 523 yards a game. Along the way to this award he also picked up 1st Team All American and SEC as well. Its not a stretch to say Georgia sincerely hopes he comes back for his senior year!
John Mackey Award - TE Tarik Graff - Jr - Missouri Tigers
While the Aggies were the fan friendly story of the year in the Big-12, Missouri was the most solid team, winning the Big 12 championship with some stifling defense. Offensively they were a mediocre squad, but Tarik Graff stood out enough to pick up the award as the nation's best TE. 52 receptions and 659 yards, he was also a quality blocker as well.
Vince Lombardi Trophy - OT Wade Benson - Sr - Florida State Seminoles
One reason for Ronde Samuel's success this year was the quality play of their offensive line, and there was none finer on that squad then Benson. At the risk of seeming thin in my recognition, I need merely to point out four stats to show his greatness: 31 run blocks, 39 pancakes, 0 sacks allowed, and a resultant Heisman trophy winner in the backfield. Say no more.
Outland Trophy - DE Fred Chamblin - Sr- Auburn Tigers
Dick Butkus Award - ILB Alex Moriarty - Sr - Missouri Tigers
When you have as stifling a defense as Missouri had this year, it's usually backed up by a fantastic middle linebacker. There were a lot of high quality linebackers who had big seasons, and it will be a rich crop in the upcoming draft, but Moriarty separated himself with the sheer numbers he put up. 127 tackes, 94 solo, 11 sacks, 21 stuffs, 11 hurries, 2 force fumbles, 9 passes defended and 3 interceptions. He reached double figures in tackles 9 times in 12 games, was 5th in total tackles, and 1st in stuffs. Honorable mention I believe has to go to New Mexico's Dobie Sanderson, who led the nation with 144 tackles, including a league leading 113 solo tackles. Sometimes the smaller schools get overlooked in these awards, and Sanderson was well deserving of his 1st team selection as well.
Jim Thorpe Award - FS Maxie Samuels - Sr - Florida State Seminoles
Florida State cleaned up with the awards this season, and Samuels nabs this one as the nation's best defensive back. With 112 tackles and 4picks, his numbers were not necessarily breathtaking but his instinctive play separated him from the competition. With 14 tackles against North Carolina, it seemed he knew where the ball was headed before it was even snapped. Still, with 11 and 10 interceptions respectively, there was some debate that Tulsa's Antwan Briggs and Oklahoma State's Lomas Feacher should have won the Award instead.
Lou Groza Award - K Buck Robustelli -Jr- Florida State Seminoles
Surprise, another Seminole takes home a major award. Buck connected on all 57 extra points, though he was only 28 of 38 in field goal attempts. Khary Hazletine of Louisville should have won this award, he connected on 28 of 29 extra points but more impressive 32 of 36 field goals. Must have been a lot of Seminole Alumni voting for these awards, methinks.
Ray Guy Award - P Randall Fenderson - Jr - Texas Longhorns
Fenderson averaged 42 yards a kick, but was a league leader in kicks inside the twenty. There were oodles of punters more qualified to win this award, but then this is a punting award so who really cares about injustice here, except punters of course.
Mosi Tatupu Award - CB D'Wayne McCleskey -So- Missouri Tigers
When you average 25 yards a kickoff return, and no touchdowns like he did this year, nobody really gets excited. But when you average 20 yards a punt return, and return 4 for touchdowns people say put him in the hall of fame. The idea of average 20 yards per punt return is enough to make a punter just kick it into the stands.
All America First Team - Offense
QB Ronde Samuels - Florida State Heisman winners deserve to be first teamers, no surprise here.
RB Marion Songin - Texas A&M He set the bar so high for all other backs. Nearly approached deity status this year.
FB Luke Soward - Arkansas In the forgotten world of fullbacks, Luke was the man this year.
WR Erick Hargett - Georgia Some big numbers on an undefeated team.
WR Qadry Lemons - California 1000 yards, 11 touchdowns
TE London Standlee - Alabama Graf wins the John Mackey as nation's best TE, but Standlee makes first team.
OT Wade Benson - Florida State Big numbers, consensus All American
OT Curtis Gault - Miami (Oh) Nearly equal numbers to Benson, highly deserving.
OG Alyn Latin - Purdue The Big Ten gets some love for their linemen.
OG Martin Fontenot - Penn St. The Big Ten gets more love for their linemen.
C Forrest Germaine - Texas The "Black Forest" was impossible for pass rushers to get through.
Coach of Year - JoJo Hayes - Air Force Undefeated season at a small school, well deserved.
All America First Team - Defense
DE Fred Chamblin - Auburn Big numbers across the board from him this year.
DE Leland Stanback - Oregon The Duck of Wrath put a hurting on ball carriers.
DT Andrew Moriarty - Louisville A key player in the Cardinals' Big East Championship
DT Blanche Jolley - Connecticut Played well above expectations, despite being on a mediocre club.
LB Dobie Sanderson - New Mexico Good enough to be a Butkus finalist and should have won.
LB Lomas Feacher - Oklahoma State Ditto. A very rich crop this year.
LB Dimitrius LeJeune - Florida Atlantic Lets hear it for the little guys! Awesome season.
CB Robaire Schifino - Colorado State 25 passes defended, 7 picked off. First teamer.
CB Aubrey Keating - San Jose State The smaller schools have some awesome corners!
FS Maxie Samuel - Florida State I busted on him for the Thorpe Award, but he's an excellent safety.
SS Saint Conerly - Central Florida Another small school first teamer, ain't that sweet?
P Vai Abraham - New Mexico State Another punter award, hooray!
Honorable mention
QB Kurt Laird - Clemson 4169 yards, 40 touchdowns, the key behind a great Clemson season.
RB J.R. Nuemann - Ohio State Came on strong late in the year, over 2000 yards, 20 TD's
RB Jared Bingaman - Georgia 2000 yards rushing and 20 scores will always get you on this list.
RB Melvin Landry - Tennessee 2000 yards and 6.75ypc, perhaps the second best back.
LB Aundra Hotchkiss - Oklahoma The best player on a stout Sooner defense.
LB Glen Voight - Air Force Undefeated regular season for the Falcons, thanks largely to Glen.
FS LaVell Milan - North Carolina St. Big stats from this tall underclassman.
posted by The Incoherent | 6:13 PM
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