BATON ROUGE – Senior linebacker Duke Riley was given the Charles McClendon Award as LSU’s Most Valuable Player and junior fullback J.D. Moore claimed the Charles E. Coates Award as the team’s top student-athlete as the Tigers held their annual football banquet here Sunday night at the Raising Cane’s RiverCenter.
Riley, from New Orleans, ranked second on the team with 85 as he helped a Tiger defense rank among the top three in the SEC in several categories, including scoring defense (16.4), total defense (323.0) and rushing defense (121.8).
Moore, a member of the CoSIDA Academic All-District team, has a 3.99 grade point average in architecture. The Ruston native caught eight passes for 45 yards and rushed for 17 yards on seven carries. More importantly, he helped pave the back for running backs Derrius Guice and Leonard Fournette, who both set the school’s single-game rushing record at different times this year.
The Percy E. Roberts Outstanding Offensive Player was shared by a trio of Tigers – Fournette, Guice and center Ethan Pocic. Guice earned first team All-SEC honors after rushing for 1,239 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also holds the LSU single-game rushing record with 285 yards set against Texas A&M.
Fournette, despite playing in only seven games due to a season-long ankle injury, managed to earn second team All-SEC honors after rushing for 843 yards and eight scores.
Pocic started every game on the offensive line for the Tigers and earned first team All-America honors as well as being a first team all-conference selection. Pocic played a key role in LSU averaging 238.1 rushing yards per game in 2016.
The Percy E. Roberts Outstanding Defensive Player was presented to a trio of defenders – cornerback Tre’Davious White, linebacker Kendell Beckwith and safety Jamal Adams. White and Adams were both first team All-America selections, while Beckwith led the Tigers in tackles with 91 and earned second team All-America honors.
The 2016 permanent team captains as voted on by members of the team include Pocic and wide receiver Travin Dural on offense, Riley, White and Adams on defense and kicker Colby Delahoussaye on special teams.
The Jeff Boss Unsung Hero Award was presented to defensive end Lewis Neal, offensive guard Josh Boutte, tight end DeSean Smith, wide receiver D.J. Chark and Dural.
The Butch Duhe Award, which is given to the player or players whose character and contributions to the team most personify the idea of unselfishness, dependability and commitment, went to tight end Colin Jeter, defensive end/outside linebacker Tashawn Bower and quarterback Danny Etling.
Nose tackle Davon Godchaux was named the recipient of the George M. Wallace Memorial Award, which is presented to the defensive player who distinguished himself by performance, leadership and commitment to team.
Other awards handed out on Sunday night include White and Pocic being named to LSU’s all-time Strength and Conditioning Team, while linebacker Donnie Alexander won the Wild Tiger Championship Trophy for special teams performance.
2016 LSU Football Awards
Alvin Roy Award
Given to the player(s) who has shown the most dedication to the individual and team goals of the Tiger’s year-round strength and conditioning program.
2016 Recipients: Ethan Pocic, D.J. Chark, J.D. Moore, Colin Jeter, Lewis Neal, Jordan Harper, Kendell Beckwith, Duke Riley, Tre’Davious White, Jamal Adams, Dwayne Thomas
LSU All Time Strength Team
Tre’Davious White, Ethan Pocic
Dr. Charles E. Coates, Academic Award
Presented to the senior who has demonstrated the highest commitment to scholarly work in the combination with excellence on the field.
2016 Recipient: J.D. Moore
Wild Tiger Championship Trophy
Presented to the player who accumulates the most points over the season through his effectiveness on special teams plays.
2016 Recipient: Donnie Alexander
Jeff Boss Unsung Hero Award
Presented by the Bengal Belles goes to player who have made significant contributions to the success of the team and received the least recognition for it.
2016 Recipients: Lewis Neal, Josh Boutte, DeSean Smith, Travin Dural, D.J. Chark
Butch Duhe Award
Recipient is one whose character and contributions to the LSU Football team most personify the idea of unselfishness, dependability and commitment to the team.
2016 Recipients: Colin Jeter, Tashawn Bower, Danny Etling
George M. Wallace Memorial Award
Presented to the defensive player who has distinguished himself by performance, leadership and commitment to team.
2016 Recipient: Davon Godchaux
2016 Permanent Team Captains (Voted by Team):
Offense: Ethan Pocic, Travin Dural
Defense: Duke Riley, Tre’Davious White, Jamal Adams
Special Teams: Colby Delahoussaye
2016 Percy E. Roberts Outstanding Offensive Player Award
Leonard Fournette, Derrius Guice, Ethan Pocic
2016 Percy E. Roberts Outstanding Defensive Player Award
Tre’Davious White, Kendell Beckwith, Jamal Adams
2016 LSU’s Most Valuable Player Award (Voted by Team)
Duke Riley