Junior safety Muhammad Abdullah, who led Kentucky?s football team in interceptions the past two seasons, has been selected as the Wildcats? 2004 most valuable player, Coach Rich Brooks has announced.
Abdullah, who had three pass thefts and two fumble recoveries while starting at both free and strong safety this season, was elected for the honor in balloting of the Kentucky team members, one of two awards selected by the squad. Abdullah was second on the team in tackles with 58 stops, including three tackles for loss and a pair of quarterback sacks.
The winner of the other award based on the team?s vote, the squad?s Most Inspirational Player, was senior wide receiver Gerad Parker. Parker had his best season as a senior in a career that was limited to 23 total games because of numerous injuries. He accumulated 15 receptions this fall for 168 yards.
Another receiver, junior Glenn Holt, was selected as the Most Outstanding Offensive Player by the Kentucky coaching staff; junior defensive end Trey Mielsch earned the same award for the Wildcats? defense, and freshman Wesley Woodyard was picked as the top performer on special teams.
Holt was third in the Southeastern Conference in receptions per game with 49 catches for 415 yards and three touchdowns. Mielsch was credited with 34 tackles, three for losses. Woodyard, who also earned a starting role at linebacker during the second half of the season, finished with 34 total tackles and spearheaded the efforts of Kentucky?s coverage units.
Senior guard Jason Rollins was the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman recipient for the second straight year. Senior safety Russ Throckmorton was selected for the Jerry Claiborne Award, given to the senior who best exemplifies the ideals of the school?s former head coach, a commitment to academics and display of a team-oriented attitude.
Other award winners were freshman offensive tackle Aaron Miller as Most Outstanding First-Year Player and junior cornerback Karl Booker as Most Improved Player. Miller started the last 10 games of the season at left tackle and played remarkably well for a true freshman lineman. Booker moved from wide receiver to cornerback in spring practice and made rapid progress, garnering two interceptions and four pass breakups during the season.
Recognized for their work in practice as the Most Valuable Scout Team Players were redshirt freshman wide receiver Sean Murphy and freshman defensive lineman Nii Adjei Oninku.
A summary of the awards is listed below:
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
The recipient will be the player judged to have contributed the most to the team?s success, its biggest contributor with his play of the field. The award is selected by a vote of the team members. WINNER: Muhammad Abdullah, Safety, Folkston, Ga.
MOST OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER
This award is given to the squad?s best performer for the offensive unit, recognizing the best execution at his position. This award is determined by the coaching staff. WINNER: Glenn Holt, Wide Receiver, Opalocka, Fla.
MOST OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER
This award is given to the squad?s best performer on the defense, recognizing the best execution at his position. This award is determined by the coaching staff. WINNER: Trey Mielsch, Defensive End, El Maton, Tex.
MOST INSPIRATIONAL PLAYER
The winner of this award will have demonstrated outstanding leadership and motivation through his play and actions on and off the field, both during competition and practice as an ultimate team player. This award is given following a vote of the team?s members. WINNER: Gerad Parker, Wide Receiver, Louisa, Ky.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
The recipient will be the squad member who has made the most improvement in his play and contribution to the team?s success. It can be awarded based on progress since last spring, improvement from fall camp or throughout the season. The coaches will select the winner of this award. WINNER: Karl Booker, Cornerback, Chesapeake, W. V.
OUTSTANDING FIRST-YEAR PLAYER
This award recognizes the efforts and performance of the top squad member in his first year with the team. Those in consideration include freshmen and transfers. The award will be determined by members of the coaching staff. WINNER: Aaron Miller, Offensive Tackle, Grayson, Ky.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
This award will honor the player who made the biggest contribution to the squad?s success as a member of one or more of the special teams. The recipient will be selected by the coaches. WINNER: Wesley Woodyard, Linebacker, LaGrange, Ga.
MOST OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
This award will be given to a member of the offensive line who consistently plays at a high level and contributes to the team?s success and production. This award will be based on game grades and the recommendation of the coaching staff. WINNER: Jason Rollins, Offensive Guard, Mt. Vernon, Ohio
JERRY CLAIBORNE AWARD
The recipient of the award will be a senior who exemplifies the attributes and ideals championed by one of Kentucky?s outstanding former head coaches. It will be based upon academic success and the display of a team-oriented attitude throughout the season. It will be selected by the coaching staff. WINNER: Russ Throckmorton, Strong Safety, Wytheville, Va.
MOST VALUABLE SCOUT TEAM PLAYERS
The awards honor an unsung facet of a football program, the players who perform on the scout teams during practice sessions. The honorees will be selected based on effort, attitude, and performance in contributing behind the scenes to the team?s success. They will be determined by members of the coaching staff. WINNERS: Sean Murphy, Wide Receiver, Big Stone Gap, Va. (Offense), Nii Adjei Oninku, Defensive End, Dayton, Ohio (Defense).
Blanda to Represent Kentucky at SEC Legends Dinner: One of the most outstanding players in football history, former Wildcat George Blanda, will represent Kentucky at the annual Southeastern Conference Legends Dinner on Fri. Dec. 3 in Atlanta, Ga.
Blanda played at Kentucky from 1945-48 as a quarterback, punter, and kicker under coaches Bernie Shively and Paul ?Bear? Bryant. Blanda led Kentucky in passing (1947-48) and total offense (1948) as the Wildcats advanced to their first bowl game, the 1947 Great Lakes Bowl.
Blanda went on to a 26-year professional career, throwing for 26,920 and 236 touchdowns as a pro. He also scored 2,002 points, the first player in pro history to reach the 2,000-point mark. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the American Football League Hall of Fame, the AFL All-Time Team, and played on three AFL championship teams.
