Junior quarterback Andre? Woodson (Radcliff, Ky.), who leads the Southeastern Conference in passing yardage, total offense, and touchdown passes, has been selected as the Wildcats? Most Valuable Player for the 2006 season, Coach Rich Brooks announced Wednesday.
Woodson, who has thrown for 3,216 yards and 28 touchdowns this season, was elected for the honor in balloting of the Kentucky team members, one of two awards selected by the squad. Woodson has had a remarkable season in helping the Wildcats win seven games, including three consecutive weeks in which the Wildcats came from behind in the fourth quarter to win.
The winner of the other award based on the team?s vote, the squad?s Most Inspirational Player, was senior offensive lineman Michael Aitcheson (Miami, Fla.). It was fitting for Aitcheson to get the honor, as he is a licensed minister who is known for his positive attitude and encouragement of his teammates.
Junior wide receiver Keenan Burton (Louisville, Ky.) was selected as the Most Outstanding Offensive Player by the Kentucky coaching staff, junior linebacker Wesley Woodyard (LaGrange, Ga.) was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player, and senior long snapper Jason Dickerson (Elizabethtown, Ky.) was selected as the Special Teams Player of the Year.
Burton has caught 72 passes for 1,006 yards and 12 touchdowns. He leads the SEC in TD catches, is second in receptions, and is only the third player in school history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season. Also an outstanding kickoff returner, he is second in the league and seventh nationally in all-purpose yardage.
Woodyard has 110 tackles this season, leading the team and reaching the century mark for the second season in a row. He also leads the team with 8.5 tackles for loss and has added three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, three pass breakups, and one quarterback sack.
Dickerson, UK?s starting long snapper since midway of his freshman season, is a strong, accurate snapper on field goals, extra points, and punts. He also has made four tackles in punt coverage during his career.
Among the team?s winners of other top awards, sophomore tackle Garry Williams (Louisville, Ky.) was the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman recipient and offensive lineman Hayden Lane (Lawrenceville, Ga.) 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 the display of a team-oriented attitude.
Other award winners were redshirt freshman tailback Alfonso Smith (Louisville, Ky.) as the Outstanding First-Year Offensive Player, redshirt freshman cornerback Trevard Lindley (Hiram, Ga.) as the Outstanding First-Year Defensive Player, sophomore wide receiver Dicky Lyons Jr. (New Orleans, La.) as the Most Improved Offensive Player, senior defensive end Durrell White (Middlesboro, Ky.) as the Most Improved Defensive Player, and redshirt freshman defensive tackle Austin Moss (Hopkinsville, Ky.) and sophomore wide receiver Robbie McAtee (Louisville, Ky.) as the Most Valuable Scout Team Players.
Smith rushed for 250 yards and two touchdowns, caught six passes for 96 yards, and provided excellent punt coverage. Lindley ranks second in the SEC in pass breakups (12) and has made one interception, one fumble recovery, and 50 tackles during the season. Following an injury-plagued redshirt season in 2005, Lyons emerged as a playmaking receiver with 48 catches for 772 yards and eight touchdowns. White played the best football of his career this year, making 41 tackles, including five tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks.
2006 Kentucky Football Team Awards
Most Valuable Player: Andre? Woodson, jr. quarterback
Most Outstanding Offensive Player: Keenan Burton, jr. wide receiver/kick returner
Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Wesley Woodyard, jr. linebacker
Most Inspirational Player: Michael Aitcheson, sr. offensive lineman
Most Improved Players: Dicky Lyons, soph. wide receiver (offense) and Durrell White, sr. defensive end
Outstanding First-Year Players: Alfonso Smith, freshman tailback (offense) and Trevard Lindley, freshman cornerback (defense)
Special Teams Player of the Year: Jason Dickerson, sr. long snapper
Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Garry Williams, soph. offensive tackle
Jerry Claiborne Award (academics/team attitude): Hayden Lane, sr. offensive lineman
Most Valuable Scout Team Players: Robbie McAtee, soph. wide receiver (offense) and Austin Moss, redshirt freshman defensive tackle
