Duke Continues To Own College Football Watch Lists
The various award committees continue to put out their preseason watch lists and we continue to look for local representatives on them.
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The Jim Thorpe Award: The Best Defensive Back in College Football
Local Candidates:
Jeremy Cash –JR –S –Duke
I don’t think there is any surprise in seeing Cash here when we also him mentioned on the Nagurski and Bednarik lists.
October 19, 2013; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates linebacker Maurice Falls (48) celebrates after his 3rd quarter fumble recovery against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. East Carolina Pirates defeated Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles 55-14. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
The Butkus Award: The Best Linebacker in College Football
Local Candidates:
Kelby Brown –SR –LB –Duke
Maurice Falls –SR –LB –East Carolina
Norkeithus Otis –SR –LB –North Carolina
Again, Brown is a tackler and Otis is a sacker. Both were on the Bednarik list. Falls is a new addition, but he was part of a lot of tackles last year.
The Rotary Lombardi Award: The Best Lineman (Offensive or Defensive) in College Football
Local Candidates:
Kelby Brown –SR –LB –Duke
Laken Tomlinson –SR –G –Duke
These two inclusions have popped up on previous lists, but I am curious how Brown qualifies for inclusion here. Did outside linebackers count as linemen? Does Brown play rush end in dime situations? More reasons to watch Duke football next year. Also note that this goes back to the North Carolina and NC State lines being somewhat in flux.
Sep 29, 2012; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Quinshad Davis (14) catches a pass in front of Idaho Vandals cornerback Tracy Carter (14) in the first half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Liz Condo-USA TODAY Sports
The Biletnikoff Award: The Best Wide Receiver in College Football
Local Candidates:
Jamison Crowder –SR –Duke
Quinshad Davis –JR –North Carolina
Justin Hardy –SR –East Carolina
The Biletnikoff returns us to the more offensive awards. Crowder and Hardy were both previously mentioned on the Maxwell and Hornung lists. Davis is not a surprise entry, the Gaffney product will likely be the number one target for Marquise Williams this year.
So after three rounds of award watch lists, there are only three left, but Duke continues to leave the biggest imprint on them. This will be important come prediction time.