Many Huskers Worth Watching
Several Husker Players Grace Preseason Watch Lists
Preseason watch lists are curious things. In one sense, they offer little value because the game outcomes and player production for a season mean much more than any preseason hype. But, college football is an odd sport in that preseason perception does play a part in the eventual outcome. Like it or not, the rankings to start the year do impact the eventual top 25 and BCS participants. It's easier to stay ranked than it is to get ranked. The same is true of player watch lists. It's far easier to win an post-season award if you are on the first draft of the watch list. It's hard to win if voters aren't watching. The good news for Husker backers is that several NU players appear worth keeping an eye on. Here's a complete list thus far.
Offense
Maxwell Award - Taylor Martinez made the watch list for this trophy that is officially given to the "nation's top college football player." But, by in large, it is an offensive award. The last Husker to win the Maxwell award was Mike Rozier in 1983.
Mackey Award - Kyler Reed is among the 34 players being watched for this award given to the best tight end in college football. No Husker has ever won the Mackey Award.
Rimington Award - For the second consecutive season, Husker center Mike Caputo makes the list of players to watch as the country's top pivot man. Of course, the award is named for Husker great Dave Rimington. The last Husker to win it was Dominic Riaola in 2001.
Defense
Bronko Nagurski Trophy - Three Huskers - defensive lineman Jared Crick, linebacker Lavonte David and cornerback Alfonzo Dennard - are on the watch list for this award given specifically to the country's top defensive player. Ndamukong Suh is the only Husker to have won it (during his spectacular 2009 season, of course).
Outland Trophy - This award is given to the country's best interior lineman. It is listed as "defense" here just because this year's Husker to watch is defensive lineman Jared Crick. Nebraska has an extremely good history with this award. A total of eight different Huskers have won it, starting in 1971 with Larry Jacobson and most recently with Suh in 2009.
Jim Thorpe Award - This trophy is given to the country's best defensive back. For the 2011 season Dennard makes the first cut and is on the watch list. Interestingly, no Cornhusker player has ever won the Thorpe Award, despite having many award-worth defensive backs in the past. Former Husker standout Prince Amukamara was a finalist for the Thorpe Award last season.
**UPDATE**
The Lombardi Award - Today three Huskers - Crick, David and defensive end Cameron Meredith - were listed among 125 athletes being watched for the Lombardi Award, given to the country's best down lineman. Five Huskers have won the Lombardi in the past, most recently Ndamukong Suh (who else?) in 2009.
Bottom Line
There are still some watch lists to be released, most notably the Butkus award given to the country's top linebacker. NU's David is a name likely to be included on that list. Watch lists aren't awards. They certainly are not wins. But, more Nebraska names are rising to be included on these lists than in previous years. That is one testament to the coaching of Coach Pelini and his staff and a sign of the Husker program's improving national profile.
7/12/2011
Also, should have noted one other important outcome. Programs recruit based on their “hardware”. Just vist any program, and you’ll know this is the case. Programs with Heismans, title trophies and other major awards (like a few detailed above) have a leg up on programs that don’t. And, you can’t win and fill those trophy cases unless you were on the list to begin with.
7/12/2011
It is a sure sign of coaching as well as a talent increase, things are good to come with the Huskers. I am still pissed on NCAA ‘11 they only give the Huskers a B+ on defense…..I am still laughing out loud. Also, they only gave Martinez a speed of 83 out of 99 and Denard Robinson of Michigan is a 99 out of 99. That game turned into a joke.