Rice Named Rutgers Football MVP
Dec 10 | Football
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. - Sophomore tailback Ray Rice (New Rochelle, N.Y.) was the recipient of the Homer Hazel Trophy as the Scarlet Knights' 2006 Most Valuable Player, presented at the 68th annual Rutgers Football Awards Dinner, held this evening at the Hilton Hotel. The awards banquet is sponsored by the Rutgers Football Touchdown Club in conjunction with Rutgers' Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Scarlet Knights, who finished the season with a 10-2 overall mark, and tied for second place in the BIG EAST Conference at 5-2, will face Kansas State in the Texas Bowl on December 28 in Houston, Texas.
Rice, who last week was named a Second Team All-America by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, was also named First Team All-BIG EAST after a sensational sophomore campaign. Rice rushed for 1,624 yards and 19 touchdowns while helping lead Rutgers to a 10-2 record, the Scarlet Knights' second 10-win season in school history. Rice kicked off the 2006 season by winning the week one Cingular All-America Player of the Week after rushing for 201 yards and three touchdowns in a win at North Carolina. A Maxwell Award Finalist, Rice ranks fourth in the nation in rushing (135.3 ypg) and sixth in scoring while averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
Fullback Brian Leonard (Gouverneur, N.Y.) was named Most Valuable Player-Offense for the second consecutive season, tackle Ramel Meekins (Westwood, N.J.) was named Most Valuable Player-Defense for the second straight year, and punter Joe Radigan (Hoboken, N.J.) was named Most Valuable Player-Special Teams. Leonard, a senior who was presented with the prestigious Draddy Trophy last week for academic excellence, twice earned First Team All-America honors by Pro Football Weekly. A two-time First Team All- Conference selection, Sports Illustrated recognized him as one of the "most underrated players," contributing as a tenacious blocker and threat to run or catch the ball from the backfield. Leonard has rushed for 2,731 yards and 1,862 receiving yards during his career. A 2006 team captain, he has been instrumental in teammate Ray Rice's Heisman Trophy push.
Meekins, also a senior, was a Second Team All-BIG EAST selection from his nose guard position. He led the team in sacks (8.0) and was one of the conference leaders in tackles for loss (13.5).
Leonardwas the recipient of the Paul Robeson Award, which is presented annually to the "individual whose performance, leadership and dedication on and off the field during his career has had the greatest impact on Rutgers football" and is donated by the Rutgers Football Touchdown Club.
Senior center Darnell Stapleton (Union, N.J.) and junior defensive tackle Eric Foster (Homestead, Fla.) received the David Bender Trophies, awarded annually to the top offensive and defensive linemen on the team. Stapleton was one of six finalists for the Rimington Award, given annually to the nation's top center. Foster collected First Team All-America honors by the Football Writers Association of America, becoming the first Scarlet Knight defender in school history to collect first team All-America accolades.
This year's recipients of the Loyal Knight Award were senior tight end Anthony Cali (Columbus, N.J.) and senior defensive tackle Joe Giacobbe (Rahway, N.J.). Cali, who came to Rutgers as a quarterback five years ago, was one of most unselfish players on the roster, becoming the team leader on special teams. A holder and personal protector on the Rutgers' special teams, Cali was part of one of the top specialty units in the nation. Giacobbe, who switched from center to defensive tackle throughout his career, provided terrific leadership and guidance for the Scarlet Knights. With a tireless work ethic, Giacobbe earned the respect of his teammates and coaches for his play.
Senior middle linebacker Devraun Thompson (Piscataway, N.J.) was the recipient of the Iron Knight Award, which is presented to the player who has demonstrated an exceptionally high level of mental and physical toughness throughout his career. Thompson was four-year starter at middle linebacker for the Scarlet Knights and head coach Greg Schiano called Thompson "one of the smartest players he has ever coached." Thompson collected Second Team All-BIG EAST honors in 2006.
Junior Brandon Renkart (Piscataway, N.J.) was the recipient of the Scholar Athlete Award presented annually "to the letterwinner who has the highest academic average and has demonstrated outstanding football ability." Renkart, engineering major, started all 12 games at linebacker for the Scarlet Knights in 2006. The big-play linebacker became a mainstay on one of the nation's top 10 defenses this season.
Junior offensive tackle Pedro Sosa (Union City, N.J.) was presented the Kevin and Helen Collins Academic Improvement Award, given to the student-athlete on the football team who has shown the greatest academic improvement. Sosa not only showed excellent progress in the classroom but was also a Second Team All-BIG EAST selection in 2006.
2006 AWARDS CAPSULE
Homer Hazel Trophy -- Team MVP TB Ray Rice
Most Valuable Player - Offense FB Brian Leonard
Most Valuable Player - Defense DT Ramel Meekins
Most Valuable Player - Special Teams P Joe Radigan
David Bender Trophy - Top Linemen
Offense C Darnell Stapleton
Defense DT Eric Foster
Paul Robeson Award FB Brian Leonard
Iron Knight Award LB Devraun Thompson
Loyal Knight Award TE Anthony Cali/DT Joe Giacobbe
Collins Academic Improvement Award OT Pedro Sosa
Scholar-Athlete Award DB Brandon Renkart
2006 Rutgers Football Letterwinners (letters won)
Dondre Asberry (3), William Beckford (4), Jean Beljour (3), Blair Bines (1), Kenny Britt (1), Kevin Brock (1), Tim Brown (1), Anthony Cali (3), Dennis Campbell (1), Manny Collins (3), Jack Corcoran (1), Ryan D'Imperio (1), Mike Fladell (2), Eric Foster (3), Willie Foster (4), Quintero Frierson (4), Joe Giacobbe (2), Mike Gilmartin (2), Ron Girault (3), Courtney Greene (2), Clark Harris (4), Jeremy Ito (3), Zaire Kitchen (1), George Johnson (1), Sam Johnson (4), Edmond Laryea (1), Glen Lee (2), Brian Leonard (4), Chenry Lewis (2), Kevin Malast (2), Devin McCourty (1), Jason McCourty (2), Ramel Meekins (4), Wayne Morse (1), Damaso Munoz (1), Dominick Piegaro (1), Joe Porter (4), Chris, Joe Radigan (4), Nkosi Remy (1), Brandon Renkart (2), Ray Rice (2), Rocky Ricks (1), Derrick Roberson (4), Milan Rudanovic (1), Mitar Rudanovic (1), Pedro Sosa (2), Darnell Stapleton (2), Cameron Stephenson (3), Vantrise Studivant (2), Mike Teel (2), James Townsend (1), Devraun Thompson (4), Shawn Tucker (4), Pete Tverdov (2), Tiquan Underwood (2), Gary Watts (2), Jamaal Westerman (2), Brandon Wood (4), Kordell Young (1), Jeremy Zuttah (3).
