Troy University Athletics
Trojans Lang Named To Hendricks Watch List
8/6/2009 9:15:00 PM | Football
CHICAGO, Ill. – Troy University senior defensive end Brandon Lang is the latest member of the Trojans' squad to earn preseason recognition, earn a spot of the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award watch list.
Lang is one of 30 players from across the country included on the initial watch list for the award. Now in its eighth season, the Ted Hendricks Award is named in honor of college football's first three-time first-team All-American.
The Tucker, Ga., native joins senior center Danny Franks (Rimmington Award) and junior running back DuJuan Harris (Doak Walker Award) on the early preseason award watch lists.
As a defensive end at the University of Miami, Ted used his agility, height and reach to block passes and kicks, force interceptions and pressure quarterbacks and running backs. He roamed the front line, read plays and blitzed on impulse, completely transforming the way the defensive end position was played.
His professional career spanned 15 years and 215 consecutive games. It included four Super Bowl victories, eight Pro Bowl selections and inductions into the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
It is in the spirit of Ted Hendricks' aggressive style of play, winning attitude and determination that the Defensive End of the Year Award for college football's premier defensive end is presented.
On-field performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities, contributions to school and community and academic preparedness are some of the criteria used to determine the Award's winner.
Members of the national media, head coaches, professional scouts and former winners are included in the Award's voting committee. Candidates may represent any class (Freshman through Senior) as well as any four-year NCAA accredited school. The candidate's primary position must be Defensive End.
Previous recipients of the Hendricks Award include: Terrell Suggs (Arizona State), David Pollack (Georgia), Elvis Dumervil (Louisville), LaMarr Woodley (Michigan), Chris Long (Virginia) and Brian Orakpo (Texas).
This year's pre-season candidates include, but are not limited to the following players:
Rahin Alem
LSU
Trevor Anderson
MICHIGAN STATE
Jeremy Beal
OKLAHOMA
Alex Carrington
ARKANSAS STATE
Antonio Coleman
AUBURN
Jermaine Cunningham
FLORIDA
Dexter Davis
ARIZONA STATE
Auston English
OKLAHOMA
Brandon Graham
MICHIGAN
Greg Hardy
OLE MISS
Jerry Hughes
TCU
Jan Jorgensen
BYU
Sergio Kindle
TEXAS
Brandon Lang
TROY
Eric Lorig
STANFORD
Greg Middleton
INDIANA
Koa Misi
UTAH
Dontay Moch
NEVADA
Eric Moncur
MIAMI
Doug Pilcher
ILLINOIS
James Ruffin
NORTHERN IOWA
George Selvie
SOUTH FLORIDA
Will Tukuafu
OREGON
Lawrence Wilson
OHIO STATE
CJ Wilson
EAST CAROLINA
Lindsey Witten
CONNECTICUT
Corey Wooten
NORTHWESTERN
Jammie Kirlew
INDIANA
Willie Young
N.C. STATE
Frank Zombo
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
NOTE: This list is subject to change until the Final Mid-Season Watch List is issued in November. Players may be added or deleted, depending on performance, injury or other circumstances. The 2009 winner will be announced on December 9.
