Derek Abney

Most Valuable Player
Special Teams Player of the Year
Jerry Claiborne Award


The versatile Abney leads the Southeastern Conference in all-purpose yardage with an average of 151.8 yards per game. He led the Wildcats in receiving with 51 catches for 616 yards and five touchdowns; averaged 9.8 yards on punt returns, including one touchdown; leads the SEC with a 24.1-yard kickoff return average; and had 11 rushes for 148 yards, an average of 13.5 yards per carry.

Abney finished his career with five NCAA records, 11 SEC records, and 14 school records for kick returns and all-purpose yardage. He became the only player in NCAA history to reach 2,000 receiving yards, 2,000 kickoff return yards, and 1,000 punt return yards in a career.

The Jerry Claiborne Award is given to a senior who exemplifies the ideals championed by Claiborne, former Wildcat student-athlete and head coach. It is based on academic success and the display of a team-oriented attitude throughout the season. Abney?s statistics are listed above. He will graduate this week with a 3.179 grade point average and a degree in civil engineering.

Jared Lorenzen

Most Outstanding Offensive Player

Lorenzen completed 56.8 percent of his passes for 2,221 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also rushed for a net of 75 yards and five touchdowns. He led the Wildcats in passing and total offense for the fourth consecutive season. He finished his career with six NCAA records, four Southeastern Conference records, and 11 school records for passing and total offense.

Vincent “Sweet Pea” Burns”

Most Outstanding Defensive Player

Burns leads the SEC with 18 tackles for loss. He totaled 72 tackles, most by a UK defensive lineman since noseguard Joey Couch in 1991. Burns also had 2.5 quarterback sacks, one fumble caused, one fumble recovery, one safety, and a team-high 10 quarterback hurries.

Jamie Saylor

Most Inspirational Player

Chad Anderson

Most Improved Player

Anderson totaled 125 tackles and leads the SEC with 11.4 tackles per game. He had 6.5 tackles for loss, including 3.5 quarterback sacks, and added one interception, one pass breakup, and two quarterback hurries.

Lamar Mills

Outstanding First-Year Player

Mills had 52 tackles during the season, including six tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks, and had two quarterback hurries.

Jason Rollins

Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman

Travis Day and J.J. Bennett

Most Valuable Scout Team Players