11/20/09- Ndamukong Suh, rSr, Nebraska, 6-4, 302 2009 BRONKO NAGURSKI AWARD FINALIST: Nebraska's Ndamukong (en-DOM-uh-ken) Suh (soo) is a finalist for the 2009 Bronko Nagurski Trophy. The award is sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club and the Football Writers Association of America. It's given to the nation's top college defensive player. The four other finalists: Iowa linebacker Pat Angerer, Tennessee safety Eric Berry, Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody and TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes. Nagurski was a star fullback and defensive tackle at Minnesota, 1927-29. Nose tackle Suh has 56 tackles so far this season, including 13 for loss and five sacks. He's a finalist for the Lombardi Award, a semifinalist for the Lott and Bednarik trophies and is one of 15 "players to watch" for the Walter Camp National Player of the Year honor. - AP Sports
11/20/09- Terrence Cody, Sr, Alabama, 6-4, 365 2009 BRONKO NAGURSKI AWARD FINALIST: Alabama senior nose guard Terrence Cody has been named one of five finalists for the 2009 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Football Writers Association and the Charlotte (N.C.) Touchdown Club announced Thursday. The FWAA's National Defensive Player of the Year Award is named after Bronko Nagurski, who dominated college football at Minnesota as a bruising fullback and defensive tackle from 1927-29. He could have been an All-American at any position playing 60 minutes and was the best player wherever he lined up. A member of the 2008 FWAA All-America team, Cody anchors an Alabama defensive front the leads the SEC and ranks second nationally in rushing defense. The Crimson Tide has allowed only 2.4 yards per play and 72.8 yards per game this season. In addition, the Tide defense ranks second nationally and second in the SEC in scoring defense (10.9 ppg) and second in the SEC and third nationally in total defense (239.3 ypg). The Crimson Tide has held eight of its first 10 opponents to less than 100 yards rushing and three of the 10 opponents to less than 200 total yards in a game. Alabama has held five teams to a touchdown or less this season. Cody has recorded 20 tackles, including five tackles of loss (-10 yards), two quarterback pressures and one pass breakup for the nation’s second-ranked team. He recorded three tackles and blocked a school-record tying two field goals in the Tide’s 12-10 win over Tennessee on Oct. 24. He was named the AT&T All-America and SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Vols, which included two blocked kicks in the final 10 minutes of the game, with second one coming on the game’s final play. - Alabama football
11/20/09- Alex Gilde, Sr, Grand Valley State, 6-0, 285 2009 ALL-GLIAC FIRST TEAM: DL Alex Gilde, Grand Valley State, Sr., has been selected All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference First Team for the 2009 college football season in balloting conducted by the league’s head coaches. - Grand Valley State football
11/20/09- Qua Jackson, Fr, Carson Newman, 6-0, 305 SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Carson-Newman College defensive lineman Qua Jackson was named Defensive Freshman of the Year. He had 6.5 tackles for loss for -28 yards, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble in his first season. - SAC football
11/20/09- Ndamukong Suh, rSr, Nebraska, 6-4, 302 Conference reputations are built largely on nonleague and bowl games because those are the opportunities of direct comparisons among leagues. But there is one other occasion that measures a conference’s strength, and the Big 12 is poised for an exceptional showing if early projections can be trusted. The 2010 NFL draft looks like a Big 12 party, according to projections. The 100 or so projected drafts floating through cyberspace don’t agree on much, but one thing they have in common is a stockpile of first-round prospects from the Big 12. Nebraska tackle Ndamukong Suh is widely slotted as the league’s top prospect and is the overall No. 1 choice by Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande. The online publication has Big 12 players taken in five of the first six picks, six of the top nine and eight overall in the first round. Last April, the seven players from the Big 12 selected in the first round was a conference record. Sadly for Big 12 teams, three of the top prospects aren’t contributing to their teams: Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford and tight end Jermaine Gresham because of season-ending injuries, and Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant because of NCAA suspension. - Blair Kerkhoff, The Kansas City Star
11/19/09- Ndamukong Suh, rSr, Nebraska, 6-4, 302 Ndamukong Suh’s play on the field might speak the loudest. But a little marketing of the man can’t hurt, right? With the senior nose tackle on the short list for a plethora of postseason awards, the Nebraska athletic department has created a Web site that details the big man’s accomplishments. Suh93.com hit cyberspace this week. It features a fierce-looking picture of Suh, a bio, highlights, pictures and a bunch of flattering quotes from coaches and media. Suh is a Lombardi Award finalist, a Lott Trophy semifinalist, a Chuck Bednarik semifinalist, an Outland Trophy candidate, a Bronko Nagurski Award finalist and among 15 “players to watch” for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. Husker coach Bo Pelini said after Thursday’s practice that Keith Mann, Nebraska’s media relations director, and his staff do well promoting Suh. “I think that’s part of the deal. I know there’s no Bo Pelini site. That’s a good thing,” Pelini said with a laugh. “I think he’s earned it. I think he’s right in position to win a lot of honors and be recognized the way he should be. But you know how that goes. There’s a lot of politics involved.” Athletic departments have long been finding ways to promote athletes for postseason honors — though the ways seem to get more creative each passing year. - Brian Christopherson, Lincoln Journal Star
11/19/09- William Green, Sr, Texas AM-Commerce, 5-11, 290 LONE STAR CONFERENCE NORTH DIVISION DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR: William Green, Texas A&M-Commerce, has been selected Defensive Lineman of the Year for the 2009 college football season in voting by the North Division coaches. Green has 44 total tackles, 20 solo, 18.5 tackles for loss with 9 sacks, 1 interception and 2 blocked kicks. - Texas A&M-Commerce football
11/18/09- Dan Williams, rSr, Tennessee, 6-2, 327 Tennessee senior defensive tackle Dan Williams is no doubt improving his NFL draft status. The Memphis native has 35 tackles the last six games. He’s also got seven quarterback hurries, 5.5 tackles for loss and a sack in that span. Teammates and opponents alike have dubbed him unblockable. Williams has spoken briefly with coach Lane Kiffin, who spent a season and a half with the NFL Oakland Raiders, about the NFL.“We never did get in depth into it. He just said, ‘Dan, just keep doing what you’re doing,”’ Williams said. Kiffin told him, “‘You’re doing good, and they’re talking good about you.’ For the most part, I think that’s good to hear, but my goals for this team are still trying to get us to a bowl game and just make sure I do everything I can do we can win,” Williams said. “If my play is helping us win, and it also helps me out in the long run, that’s a plus. But we don’t talk about it that much.” - AP Sports
11/18/09- Ryan Ploesser, Jr, Truman State, 6-3, 275 2009 ALL-MIAA HONORABLE MENTION: Ryan Ploesser, Jr., DL, has been selected All Mid-America Conference Honorable Mention for the 2009 college football season. Junior Ryan Ploesser (St. Louis, Mo./Vianney) earned honorable mention all-MIAA honors as a defensive lineman. Ploesser had 35 total tackles (3.1 tpg) and two for loss this past season in his first full year as a starter. - Truman football
11/18/09- Brandon Jackson, rSr, Washburn, 6-2, 305 2009 ALL-MIAA HONORABLE MENTION: Brandon Jackson, Sr., DL, has been selected All Mid-America Conference Honorable Mention for the 2009 college football season. - Washburn football
11/17/09- Darzell Wright, Sr, Fordham, 6-2, 312 2009 EAST COAST ALL-STAR BOWL INVITE: Fordham University senior defensive lineman Darzell Wright (Riverdale, Ill/Mount Carmel) has been selected to play in the East Coast Bowl it was announced today. He is the first Fordham football player to appear in the annual all-star game. The East Coast Bowl is an annual college football All-Star game that features the most elite Division I-FCS, II, III and NAIA college football players from across the Mid-Atlantic region. The game is held every year on the Saturday following Thanksgiving at Cameron Field in Petersburg, Virginia and is sponsored by the City of Petersburg and the National Football Foundation. As mention in the mission statement, all proceeds derived from the game are used to award scholarships to high school students from the Tri-Cities area that intend on playing football at a Division II or III institution. Wright, a 2009 team captain, has 30 total tackles for the Rams this year, 10 solo, including 5.5 for loss and one sack in seven games. Over his career, he has accumulated 76 total tackles in 37 games, 35 solo, including 15 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. - Fordham football
11/17/09- Ndamukong Suh, rSr, Nebraska, 6-4, 302 Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh says Kansas State’s run-oriented offense might be just what he needs to break out of his slump. The star defensive tackle didn’t have a sack or tackle behind the line of scrimmage in the last two games against Oklahoma and Kansas. Suh said he expects K-State (6-5, 4-3 Big 12), led by league rushing leader Daniel Thomas, to run right at the Cornhuskers (7-3, 4-2) on Saturday in the game that will decide the Big 12 North. “They want to come downhill on you,” Suh said. “That’s great for me. That’s my type of football—not the cutesy stuff we see the majority of the time in our conference with spread offenses.” Suh made four tackles against Oklahoma and three against Kansas, both of which used creative double-team strategies to tie him up. Coach Bo Pelini said opponents’ schemes show great respect for the Lombardi Award finalist, who on Tuesday was named one of 15 “players to watch” for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. Pelini said he’s told Suh to not let the double-teams eat at him. “He thinks he should make plays no matter how many guys are on him, and he has for the most part,” Pelini said. “It’s been a tough row to hoe for him, especially this last week. I sensed a little bit of frustration on him after the game because he didn’t feel like he played well, but when you look at the film, he played well.” Suh and fellow tackle Jared Crick redirected traffic in the trenches in the 31-17 win over Kansas. Suh said the line’s overall performance still rated an “F.” “I have high expectations,” he said. - AP Sports
11/17/09- Jacob Crossman, Jr, Fort Hays State, 6-3, 290 2009 ALL-MIAA HONORABLE MENTION: Jacob Crossman, Jr., DL, has been selected All Mid-America Conference Honorable Mention for the 2009 college football season. Crossman picked up his first all-conference selection on the defensive line. The Haysville, Kan., native earned honorable mention honors as Fort Hays State’s leader in sacks (5.5) and tackles for loss (11.0). He ranked eighth on the team in tackles with 40. - Fort Hays State football
11/17/09- P.J. South, Jr, Central Missouri, 6-4, 280 2009 ALL-MIAA FIRST TEAM: DL: P.J. South, Jr., Central Missouri, has been selected All Mid-America Conference First Team for the 2009 college football season. South (Humover Park, Ill.) led the team with 4.5 sacks, and was second with 8.5 stops for loss. He also had 34 tackles and two blocked kicks in his first year with the Mules. - Central Missouri football
11/17/09- Zac Keller, Sr, Nebraska-Omaha, 6-2, 295 2009 ALL-MIAA FIRST TEAM: DL: Zac Keller, Sr., Nebraska-Omaha, has been selected All Mid-America Conference First Team for the 2009 college football season. Keller finished the season as the Mavericks’ second leading tackler with 63 including seven and a half for a loss. He was second with 30 solo tackles. The native of Kearney, Neb. registered three and a half sacks, one fumble recovery and a blocked kick. He led a UNO defense that finished third in total defense with 370.6 yards allowed per game and ranked first in opponent third down (32.2%) and fourth down (21.4%) conversions. - Nebraska-Omaha football
11/17/09- Dan Williams, rSr, Tennessee, 6-2, 327 11/17/09 NFL DRAFT SCOUT RISER: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee: Williams has steadily risen up NFL Draft boards because of performances such as the one he had in a losing effort against Ole Miss. His nine tackles led the team, and his 2009 total of 52 is third on the squad. That sort of production is a bit unusual for a defensive tackle not named Ndamukong Suh. Williams also had two tackles for loss, one of which came after a pass he batted went to Ole Miss C Daverin Geralds - it was the easiest tackle Williams had all year. One of his most impressive plays came early on, as Williams chased a scrambling QB Jevan Snead to the sideline to prevent a big run. Snead has decent speed, so the big man's hustle could not be ignored. Combining that chase with his strength on the line makes him an intriguing early-round nose tackle prospect. - Chad Reuter, The SportsXchange, NFLDraftScout.com
11/16/09- Tyler Roach, Sr, Northwest Missouri State, 6-2, 315 2009 ALL-MIAA FIRST TEAM: DL: Tyler Roach, Sr., Northwest Missouri, has been selected All Mid-America Conference First Team for the 2009 college football season. Roach has 38 tackles to go with 3.5 sacks and six tackles-for-loss. He’s also blocked three kicks. - Northwest Missouri football
11/16/09- Shayne Shade, Jr, Northwest Missouri State, 6-2, 300 2009 ALL-MIAA SECOND TEAM: DL: Shayne Shade, Jr., Northwest Missouri, has been selected All Mid-America Conference Second Team for the 2009 college football season. Shade has 35 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three tackles-for-loss. - Northwest Missouri football
11/16/09- Corey Peters, Sr, Kentucky, 6-3, 295 SEC WEEK 11 DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK: Corey Peters, Tackle, Kentucky, accounted for five total tackles, including 1.5 for losses, and a quarterback pressure in Kentucky’s 24-13 win at Vanderbilt. Both tackles for losses helped lead to Vanderbilt punts and his QB pressure led to an incomplete pass. Peters was part of a Kentucky defense that held the Commodores to 209 yards of total offense, the fewest yards against an SEC opponent by the Wildcats since 1996. In the second half, the Kentucky defense limited Vandy to no points, one first down and 31 total yards. - SEC football
11/16/09- Dan Williams, rSr, Tennessee, 6-2, 327 SEC WEEK 11 OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE: DT DAN WILLIAMS (Tennessee) - Had nine total tackles (four solos) with two for losses (-5 yards) against Ole Miss. - SEC football
11/16/09- Ben Anderson, rJr, Georgia Tech, 6-2, 275 ACC WEEK 11 DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK: Ben Anderson, Georgia Tech, DT, Jr., 6-2, 274, Aiken, S.C. (South Aiken), recorded five tackles, three for loss, and two sacks—all career-highs—against Duke. Despite allowing 10 first-quarter points to the Blue Devils, Anderson helped the Yellow Jacket defense blank Duke for the final three stanzas. Additionally, Georgia Tech limited Duke’s high-powered passing attack to just 256 yards and gave up only 25 rushing yards, while the defensive line pressured the Blue Devil offense for four sacks in the game. - ACC football
11/12/09- Arthur Jones, rSr, Syracuse, 6-3, 295 The smile on the face of Arthur Jones has never been bigger. Even as he awaits knee surgery that will cause him to miss the final three games of the season, the Syracuse University senior defensive tackle is celebrating his time with the Orange. Jones even sounded like a Syracusan during his meeting with the media on Wednesday. He said the sun is always shining … except in Syracuse. “I’m handling it in a positive way,” Jones said. “I’ve been down this road before. Any time with injuries, you’ve got to stay positive. That’s the best thing. It helps you recover faster. I’m a fast healing guy. "It’s time for me to move on. I’ve had a fantastic five years playing at this great university. I’m definitely going to miss it. Right now, I’ve got to go ahead with the surgery. “When I walked around this campus yesterday, people kept saying, ‘I’m sorry. I feel sad.’ I said, ‘Don’t be. It’s football. It’s a risk you take.’” Jones said he injured his knee on the second series of the first quarter at Pittsburgh on Saturday. He said he slapped on a brace and continued to play. The MRI on Monday revealed the injury. Jones said his future career in the National Football League was a consideration for standing down for the final three games. Jones said he will find the best surgeon he can to repair the knee. He said he has already accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl in January. “It’s just a smart thing to do,” Jones said of opting for surgery. “I could’ve probably played through it. Me messing it up worse could have ended my career. It’s smart to get it taken care of. “You get that little man talking in your head and you think your career is over. It’s an easy fix, I heal real fast. I’m a testimony to adversity. I’ll be fine. This won’t be the last time you hear the name of Art Jones. I promise you that.” - Donnie Webb, The Post-Standard
11/10/09- Arthur Jones, rSr, Syracuse, 6-3, 295 In terms of NFL caliber talent, the Syracuse Orangemen had two senior prospects worthy of early round consideration: defensive tackle Arthur Jones and wide receiver Mike Williams. Williams stunned the school and scouts, alike, with his decision to quit the team two weeks ago. Now, the Orange will have to do without Jones, as well, as the university announced Monday night that Jones had torn the lateral meniscus in his left knee in the loss to Pittsburgh, Saturday, ending his collegiate career. The meniscus tear, on its own isn't necessarily a huge concern for scouts. Depending on the location and severity of the tear, Jones may not even need to undergo surgery. If the injury does require surgery, it will be arthroscopic in nature and isn't expected to keep Jones from participating in rookie mini camps, or perhaps even the Combine. Jones has been prone to injuries throughout his career, however, which will certainly give teams reason to pause on draft day. Of most concern is the fact that Jones' injuries have become more serious and occurred more frequently as his career has gone on. Jones tore his pectoral muscle during a February workout and missed time earlier this season with a "upper leg injury." Jones is a versatile, talented defender that ordinarily would receive strong first round consideration. Considering the injuries and the relative depth along the defensive line, however, his status is much cloudier. Jones leaves Syracuse with 38.5 career tackles for loss -- the most by a defensive tackle in Orange history. He was Syracuse's lone First-Team Big-East selection in 2008. - Rob Rang, The SportsXchange, NFLDraftScout.com
11/10/09- Arthur Jones, rSr, Syracuse, 6-3, 295 The hits keep on coming for Syracuse's beleagured football team. The university announced Monday night that All-Big East Conference defensive tackle Arthur Jones and starting offensive tackle Jonathan Meldrum will miss the remainder of the 2009 season because of injuries. The school announced tonight in a release that Jones and Meldrum reported experiencing discomfort in their left knee during the Pittsburgh game. MRIs on Monday revealed each had a torn lateral meniscus in their knees that will require surgery. They join a crowded sideline of Syracuse players lost for the season with injuries that includes safety Dorian Graham (shoulder), tight end Nick Provo (knee), defensive end Jared Kimmel (knee), strong safety Max Suter (arm) and tight end Cody Catalina (knee). Additionally, some 21 players on scholarship have left the program since Marrone's arrival last December. Just last Monday, all-star wide receiver Mike Williams quit the team. Jones, who is from Union Endicott High School near Binghamton, was the only player for Syracuse to earn All-Big East first-team honors a year ago. He chose to bypass the NFL Draft last season in order to play one more year for the Orange under near head coach Doug Marrone. Jones tore his pectoral muscle lifting weights in February and got himself ready to play in the opener against Minnesota. Jones has 12 tackles this season. His career with the Orange is completed. - Donnie Webb, The Post-Standard
11/06/09- D'Anthony Smith, Sr, Louisiana Tech, 6-2, 300 SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Injuries seem to have hit both sides of the ball equally hard in total numbers, but the big playmakers on defense are still playing, just not getting the results expected of them. Veteran leadership and game experience is crucial in reacting on the fly to the 100 or so different looks the Boise State Broncos will throw at the Bulldogs, so players like S Antonio Baker and DT D'Anthony Smith will need to be on top of their games.
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