Posts tagged: colin baxter

Pac-10 Players on College Football Awards Preseason Watch Lists

By Dave Consolazio, August 29, 2009 4:23 am

Before every college football season, a series of watch lists are released to let fans know who the award committees will be closely following for each of college football’s awards. With outstanding play, a player not on the preseason watch list can still go on to win the award. The preseason watch list is just a good indication of which players are considered the early favorites to win the award.

Listed below are all of the Pac-10 players who were included on the national lists. The only two awards not listed are the Heisman Trophy and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. The Heisman Trophy does not release a preseason watch list, and the Unitas Award, which is handed out to the nation’s best senior college quarterback, had no Pac-10 players on their watch list.

Congratulations to the players named, and good luck taking home the hardware!

Maxwell Award
Most Outstanding Player

Jahvid Best, California
LeGarrette Blount, Oregon
Toby Gerhart, Stanford
Rob Gronkowski, Arizona
Jake Locker, Washington
Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon
Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State
Damian Williams, USC

Davey O’Brien Award
National Quarterback Award

Aaron Corp, USC
Jake Locker, Washington
Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon
Kevin Riley, California

Doak Walker Award
National Running Back Award

Jahvid Best, California
LeGarrette Blount, Oregon
Toby Gerhart, Stanford
Nic Grigsby, Arizona
Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State

Fred Biletnikoff Award
Outstanding Wide Receiver

D’Andre Goodwin, Washington
Damian Williams, USC

John Mackey Award
Outstanding Tight End

Ed Dickson, Oregon
Rob Gronkowski, Arizona
Anthony McCoy, USC
Ryan Moya, UCLA
Logan Paulsen, UCLA

Vince Lombardi/Rotary Award
Outstanding Lineman

Tyson Alualu, California
Korey Bosworth, UCLA
Kyle Bosworth, UCLA
Jeff Byers, USC
Reggie Carter, UCLA
Dexter Davis, Arizona State
Rob Gronkowski, Arizona
Lawrence Guy, Arizona State
Earl Mitchell, Arizona
Mike Nixon, Arizona State
Kristofer O’Dowd, USC
Brian Price, UCLA
Brooks Reed, Arizona
Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, Washington

Rimington Trophy
Outstanding Center

Kenny Alfred, Washington State
Colin Baxter, Arizona
Kristofer O’Dowd, USC

Outland Trophy
Outstanding Interior Lineman

Kristofer O’Dowd, USC
Jeff Byers, USC
Brian Price, UCLA

Walter Camp Award
Player of the Year Award

Jahvid Best, California
LaGarrette Blount, Oregon
Taylor Mays, USC
Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State

Chuck Bednarik Award
Defensive Player of the Year

Reggie Carter, UCLA
Dexter Davis, Arizona State
Keaton Kristick, Oregon State
Taylor Mays, USC
Brian Price, UCLA
Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, Washington
Syd’Quan Thompson, California
Will Tukuafu, Oregon
Alterraun Verner, UCLA

Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Defensive Player of the Year

Stephen Paea, Oregon State
Brian Price, UCLA
Syd’Quan Thompson, California
Walter Thurmond III, Oregon
Alterraun Verner, UCLA
T.J. Ward, Oregon
Taylor Mays, USC

Jim Thorpe Award
Outstanding Defensive Back

Taylor Mays, USC
Syd’Quan Thompson, California
Walter Thurmond III, Oregon
Alterraun Verner, UCLA

Dick Butkus Award
Outstanding Linebacker

Chris Galippo, USC
Malcolm Smith, USC

Ted Hendricks Award
Defensive End of the Year

Dexter Davis, Arizona State
Eric Lorig, Stanford
Will Tukuafu, Oregon

Lou Groza Award
Collegiate Placekicker Award

Kai Forbath, UCLA
Thomas Weber, Arizona State

Ray Guy Award
Outstanding Punter

Bryan Anger, California

Pac-10 Position Breakdown: Offensive Line – Arizona Wildcats

By Dave Consolazio, July 13, 2009 12:07 pm

As a stand alone stat, having the third most sacked quarterback in the conference with 27 sacks might lead you to believe that the offensive line was a weakness for the Arizona Wildcats in 2008.  When you look at their full body of work, though, that was pretty clearly not the case.

Willie Tuitama finished second among all Pac-10 starters in quarterback rating (144.9), completion percentage (64.9), passing yards (3,088) and touchdowns (23); all behind only USC’s Mark Sanchez. Nic Grigsby was fourth in the Pac-10 in total rushing yards, and was one of only 6 rushers in the conference with over 1000 yards (1153). The offense averaged 37.1 points per game, which was good for third in the conference and 17th in the nation.

Losing Tuitama was a huge hit to the offense, but with both running backs Nic Grigsby and Keola Antolin returning, the running game should still be in great shape; and it may even be improved upon with the athletic Matt Scott under center. The key to all of this, of course, will be another strong season from the big men up front.

With two departing seniors and one NFL-bound junior (Right Tackle Eben Britton, drafted 39th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars), there will be plenty of holes to fill; but with an experienced core of reserves, Coach Stoops is hoping his team can take their personnel losses in stride.

Colin Baxter paves the way

Colin Baxter paves the way

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