Nov. 6, 2014

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The active Southeastern Conference leader in career sacks, Kentucky senior Bud Dupree has been tabbed one of 32 players on the midseason watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award – given annually to the nation’s top defensive end – it was announced.

A native of Irwinton, Ga., Dupree was listed as one of 32 players on the midseason watch list for the Hendricks Award, also joining SEC standouts Trey Flowers (Arkansas), Myles Garrett (Texas A&M), Dante Fowler Jr. (Florida), Markus Golden (Missouri) and Shane Ray (Missouri).

Dupree, a 6-foot-4, 264-pounder, leads all active SEC players with 21.5 career sacks, ranking second in Kentucky history. Dupree ranks third on the team in tackles (50) in 2014, adding 8.5 tackles for loss and a club-high 5.5 sacks. Dupree has also added a team-leading five quarterback hurries, blocked one kick, broken up a pass and returned an interception for a game-winning touchdown vs. South Carolina.

In his decorated career, Dupree has played in 44 games, totaling 223 tackles, 33 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks. A midseason second-team All-SEC selection by Phil Steele, Dupree has nine quarterback hurries in his career, forcing a pair of fumbles and recovering two, defending six passes.

In the latest NFL Draft “Big Board” projections from ESPN.com’s Mel Kiper, Dupree is tabbed as the No. 23 player available and as the fourth-best outside linebacker prospect. In CBSsports.com’s latest mock draft, Dupree is projected as the 26th pick overall, going to the Dallas Cowboys. NFLdraftscout.com tabs Dupree as the 18th-best player and the fifth-best defensive end prospect available in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Kentucky (5-4, 2-4 SEC) will return to action on Saturday in its home finale, hosting No. 17 Georgia for a 12 p.m. kickoff in the final game played at Commonwealth Stadium. The game will be televised live on ESPN and will be broadcast live on the UK Radio Network, with Tom Leach, Jeff Piecoro and Dick Gabriel voicing the action.