New College Football Award
ESPN announced via another source that next year, college football will see a new award handed out at the end of the year: the Paul Hornung award for the most versatile college football player.
I thought this was pretty interesting and I'm surprised an award hasn't been allocated to versatility sooner.
Some Wolverines who probably would've/still may benefit(ed) had it been conceived earlier:
- Steve Breaston
- Woodson (+ Heisman, of course)
- Denard Robinson of The Future
- Desmond
I can't think of any others off the top of my head, but I know they're there.
PS - Any thoughts on who would've won it this year? On first thought I'd say CJ Spiller with Dexter McCluster in second.
January 27th, 2010 at 9:00 PM ^
Tim Tebow, because ESPN loves him...until this week at the senior bowl. Well at least Todd Mcshay.
January 27th, 2010 at 9:03 PM ^
McShay was ripping on Tebow for his preformance at the Senior bowl practices this morning.
January 27th, 2010 at 10:45 PM ^
Thats why I said, " well at least todd mcshay". Meaning he was ripping him. He's been doing it all week too.
January 27th, 2010 at 9:02 PM ^
Anthony Carter all the way!
January 27th, 2010 at 9:02 PM ^
I don't know, how many punts did Graham block this year? That plus awesome defense seems pretty versatile.
January 27th, 2010 at 9:07 PM ^
it's about time these versatile guys will be able to get some recognition. I wonder if it's a result of C.J. Spiller not even being invited to New York? Because that dude deserved some type of award.
January 27th, 2010 at 9:17 PM ^
His 1987 season was tailor-made for an award like this.
(And I guess the Heisman, too.)
January 27th, 2010 at 9:20 PM ^
Ted Ginn Jr. would have been a strong candidate. Also, Arrelious Benn.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:38 AM ^
Maurice Jones-Drew....RB,PR,KR, and caught passes.
EDIT: Golden Tate as well. It's kinda fun thinking of past players who would have been strong frontrunners/candidates for this new award. Yes, i'm fairly bored.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:10 PM ^
Reggie Bush would have owned this award and Darren McFadden might have won a couple too.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:13 AM ^
the two best examples of what this award was made for. Win.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:27 AM ^
Here's my quick list for the last 5 years:
2009: CJ Spiller
2008: Percy Harvin
2007: Darren McFadden
2006: Ted Ginn
2005: Reggie Bush
I'm probably overlooking a few players, but that's who I thought of off the top of my head.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:53 AM ^
Shouldn't it be the Tom Harmon award, I mean I know that ND was good for a couple of seasons back in the day when there was catholics a' plenty, but c'mon Tom FREAKIN Harmon!
January 28th, 2010 at 2:54 AM ^
I'd love to see the George Gipp "Win One For The Gipper" award, as a Yooper. If they are going to have an award for a ND player, at least have it be someone awesome.
Straight from wikipedia:
During his Notre Dame career, Gipp led the Irish in rushing and passing each of his last three seasons (1918, 1919 and 1920).[1] His career mark of 2,341 rushing yards lasted more than 50 years until Jerome Heavens broke it in 1978.[1] Gipp also threw for 1,789 yards and did not allow a pass completion in his territory.[1] He scored 83 career touchdowns, averaged 38 yards a punt, and gathered five interceptions as well as 14 yards per punt return and 22 yards per kick return in four seasons of play for the Fighting Irish.[1] Gipp is still Notre Dame's all-time leader for a career in average yards per rush (8.1), average yards per play for total offense (9.37), and average yards per game for total offense (128.4).[2]If that's not a versatile player, I don't know what is.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:03 AM ^
Although I obviously never saw any of them actually play a single down of football, I think Tom Harmon has the most impressive Wikipedia entry (in terms of versatility):
"Although he made his name as a running back, [Harmon] also excelled as a kicker and quarterback. Harmon rushed for 2,134 yards during his career at Michigan, completed 100 passes for 1,304 yards and 16 touchdowns, and scored 237 points. During his career he played all 60 minutes 8 times. He also was a member of the varsity basketball team for two years. In his final football game, against Ohio State Harmon led the Wolverines to a 40-0 victory, scoring three rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, four extra points, intercepting three passes, and punting three times for an average of 50 yards. In an unprecedented display of sportsmanship and appreciation, the Ohio State fans in Columbus gave Harmon a standing ovation at game's end. No Wolverine player has been so honored since."
January 28th, 2010 at 3:11 AM ^
I'm not a ND fan in any way, but you can't argue with Gipp being the greatest football player that the UP ever produced, and probably that ND ever produced. I was just saying that, if they are going to honor a ND player for being versatile, shouldn't it be the guy that Still holds records, 80+ years later?
January 28th, 2010 at 12:18 PM ^
And he was a war hero, WTF did Paul Hornung ever do for our country?