July 16, 2014
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The College Football Performance Awards have named University of Kentucky senior defensive end Alvin “Bud” Dupree and junior punter Landon Foster to its Defensive Lineman Trophy Watch List and Punter Trophy Watch List for the 2014 season, it was announced.
The 2014 CFPA Defensive Lineman Trophy Watch List consists of 40 FBS players with Dupree being one of six from the Southeastern Conference on the list. Foster is one of 38 FBS players on the CFPA Punter Trophy Watch List, including one of six from the SEC.
Dupree, who decided to return to Kentucky for his senior season and not enter the NFL Draft early, led all SEC defensive linemen with 61 tackles last season. The native of Irwinton, Ga., finished the season with a team-best seven sacks, ranking sixth in the conference and 40th in the nation. He also finished with a team-high 9.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup, three quarterback hurries and two fumbles forced. Dupree had a career game against Mississippi State last season, recording 13 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. The 13 tackles in a game was the most for a UK defensive lineman since game-by-game records were available back to 1993.
Dupree’s strong junior season drew praise as he was named a second-team All-SEC performer by the Associated Press and Phil Steele’s College Football, and third-team All-SEC by College Sports Madness.
Dupree, who served as a captain in 10 of UK’s 12 games in 2013, was named Sophomore All-America second team in 2012 by CollegeFootballNews.com and was an All-SEC third-team honoree by Phil Steele’s College Football and College Football Madness in 2012.
Foster had a strong 2013 season, punting 68 times for a 41.3 average, including seven punts of 50-plus yards. One of his best games last season came against highly ranked Alabama, where he had eight punts for a 44.8 yards-per-punt average, including a then-career high tying 58-yard punt. Foster booted a 59-yard punt against Vanderbilt to set a new career high.
In just his second season with Kentucky, Foster already qualifies for UK’s career punting average record list, ranking third all-time with a 42.0 yards-per-punt average. The Franklin, Tenn., native started the year as a third-team Preseason All-SEC selection by College Sports Madness and fourth-team Preseason All-SEC by Phil Steele’s College Football. Foster was also named one of 85 candidates for the 2013 Ray Guy Award, which annually honors the nation’s best punter.
According to its website, the goal of CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferment in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams. The full list of 2014 CFPA winners will be announced on Jan. 14, 2015.
