The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Longhorns honored during annual awards banquet
12.13.2002 | Football
AUSTIN, Texas -- The University of Texas football team had its annual awards banquet on Friday night at the Frank Erwin Center and the Longhorns honored this season's most outstanding individuals for their contributions on the football field, academically and within the Austin community. Possibily the biggest announcement of the night occurred when junior WR Roy Williams declared his intentions to return to UT for his senior season.
Headlining this year's winners were the Longhorns' two senior leaders -- QB Chris Simms and DE Cory Redding. Simms was tabbed the George "Hook" McCullough Most Valuable Player, Darrell K Royal Most Valuable Offensive Player and Outstanding Quarterback, while Redding was named the Mike Campbell Most Valuable Defensive Player and Outstanding Defensive End. The two also were named permanent team captains (as selected by their teammates).
Senior Beau Trahan was named the Frank Denius Special Teams Most Valuable Player for the third consecutive year, sharing the award with fellow senior Michael Ungar.
On offense, Williams shared Most Valuable Offensive Player honors with Simms and was named the team's Outstanding Wide Receiver, along with junior wideout B.J. Johnson, for the third straight year. Sophomore RB Cedric Benson was tabbed Outstanding Offensive Back for the second year in a row and All-American OL Derrick Dockery shared Outstanding Offensive Lineman honors with senior OT Robbie Doane. Junior TE Brock Edwards was named Outstanding Tight End, while junior OG Tillman Holloway was selected as the team's Most Consistent Offensive Player.
Defensively, junior DT Marcus Tubbs was selected as the team's Outstanding Defensive Lineman and sophomore LB Derrick Johnson was chosen as the Longhorns' Outstanding Linebacker. Senior CB Rod Babers and junior CB Nathan Vasher both were honored as the Outstanding Defensive Backs and junior FS Dakarai Pearson was named Most Consistent Defensive Player.
Doane was named the Lan Hewlett Academic Award winner for the second year in a row and senior LB Lee Jackson earned the team's Coca-Cola Community Service Award for their work off the field. Jackson earned that award as a sophomore as well.
