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Will Davis Lands On Ted Hendricks Preseason Watch List
 
Senior defensive end up for national award
 
Will Davis has been named to the Ted Hendricks Award watch list for the second year in a row.
 
 

July 23, 2008

University of Illinois defensive end Will Davis has been named to the 2008 Ted Hendricks Award watch list. The award is given annually to the nation's best defensive end. This marks the second season Davis has been a candidate for the trophy.

As a junior, Davis was a second team All-Big Ten selection after recording 9.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss on the season. He ranked sixth in the Big Ten and 26th in the nation in sacks and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his four sack, five TFL performance against Indiana.

Davis has garnered plenty of recognition heading into his senior campaign. He was named a preseason All-American by The Sporting News (third team) and nationalchamps.net (honorable mention) as well as preseason first team All-Big Ten honors by multiple publications.

The Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award is named in honor of college football's first three-time first-team All-American. As a defensive end at the University of Miami, Hendricks used his agility, height and reach to block passes and kicks, force interceptions and pressure quarterbacks and running backs. He roamed the front line, read plays and blitzed on impulse, completely transforming the way the defensive end position was played. His professional career spanned 15 years and 215 consecutive games, including four Super Bowl victories, eight Pro Bowl selections and inductions into the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

It is in the spirit of Ted Hendricks' aggressive style of play, winning attitude and determination that the Defensive End of the Year Award for college football's premier defensive end is presented. On-field performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities, contributions to school and community and academic preparedness are some of the criteria used to determine the Award's winner.

Members of the national media, head coaches, professional scouts and former winners are included in the Award's voting committee. Candidates may represent any class (Freshman through Senior) as well as any four-year NCAA accredited school.