Football Team Awards Announced at Banquet
Tuesday, February 12, 2002 | Football
Grossman received the Ray Graves Award, which goes to the squad's Most Valuable Player as selected by his teammates. Fullback Rob Roberts received the Fergie Ferguson Award, which is presented annually to the senior player (as selected by his teammates) who displays outstanding leadership, character and courage. Running back Robert Gillespie was chosen the recipient of the Gene Ellenson Most Inspirational Player Award, while the James Kynes Award (offensive lineman iron-man) went to sixth- year senior center Zac Zedalis. The Rex Farrior Award winner (team- oriented player who exhibits leadership on and off the field) was strong safety Marquand Manuel. The John Eibner Award as the scout team unsung hero went to quarterback Ingle Martin.
Most outstanding player awards were also presented for position areas. Earnest Graham was the recipient of the Outstanding Running Back Award and sophomore Todd Johnson received that honor for a defensive back, both for the second consecutive season. Mike Pearson was named the Outstanding Offensive Lineman, while Alex Brown was the recipient of the Outstanding Defensive Lineman Award. Andra Davis was the recipient of UF's Outstanding Linebacker Award, while Jabar Gaffney received that honor for a wide receiver, his second straight honor. Junior place kicker Jeff Chandler was named the Outstanding Special Teams Player for the third consecutive year.
Wide receiver Brian Haugabrook (offense) and cornerback Bennie Alexander (defense) were co-recipients of the Fifth-Year Team Player Award. Punter Matt Leach was the recipient of the Freshman Player of the Year.
Wide receiver Reche Caldwell was named recipient of the Best Effort on Offense Award, while defensive tackle Tron LaFavor received that honor on defense. Place kicker Matt Piotrowicz was presented the Best Effort on Special Teams award. Wide receiver Taylor Jacobs received the Big Play Offensive Award, while cornerback Lito Sheppard received the Big Play Defensive Award.
LIST OF AWARDS
Ray Graves Award Rex Grossman
(most valuable player as selected by his teammates)
Fergie Ferguson Award Rob Roberts
(senior player, as selected by his teammates, who displays outstanding leadership, character and courage)
Gene Ellenson Award Robert Gillespie
(most inspirational player)
James Kynes Award Zac Zedalis
(offensive lineman iron-man)
Rex Farrior Award Marquand Manuel
(team-oriented player who exhibits leadership on and off the field)
John Eibner Award Ingle Martin
(scout team unsung hero)
Fifth-Year Team Players Brian Haugabrook (offense), Bennie Alexander (defense)
Outstanding Freshman Matt Leach
Best Effort Offense Reche Caldwell
Best Effort Defense Tron LaFavor
Best Effort Special Teams Matt Piotrowicz
Big Play Offensive Taylor Jacobs
Big Play Defensive Lito Sheppard
Most Outstanding Player Awards
Running Back Earnest Graham
Wide Receiver Jabar Gaffney
Offensive Line Mike Pearson
Defensive Line Alex Brown
Linebacker Andra Davis
Defensive Back Todd Johnson
Special Teams Jeff Chandler
