CHICAGO — LSU senior defensive ends Tyson Jackson and Kirston Pittman are each one of 36 preseason candidates for the Ted Hendricks Award, which is presented annually to the best defensive end in college football, it was announced on Monday.
Jackson, a native of Edgard, La., returns for his senior season after tallying 86 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for losses and 14 sacks for his career. Jackson was a preseason first-team All-SEC selection last week at 2008 SEC Media Days, and he is on the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which honors college football’s top defensive player.
Pittman, a native of Garyville, La., is coming off a stellar 2007 season that saw him lead the squad in sacks with eight and tackles for loss with 13. Pittman, who is also on the watch list for the Lott Trophy, is the only active player in college football to be a part of two BCS National Championship teams.
The Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award is named in honor of college football’s first three-time first-team All-American. 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. 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 as well as any four-year NCAA accredited school. The candidate’s primary position must be defensive end.
LSU Players on 2008 Award Watch Lists
Darry Beckwith, LB
Chuck Bednarik Award
Demetrius Byrd, WR
Maxwell Award
Tyson Jackson, DE
Chuck Bednarik Award
Ted Hendricks Award
Ricky Jean-Francois, DT
Chuck Bednarik Award
Herman Johnson, OL
Rotary Lombardi Award
Kirston Pittman, DE
The Lott Trophy
Ted Hendricks Award
Keiland Williams, RB
Maxwell Award