Quinn, Smith, McFadden Among Award Recipients at The Home Depot College Football Awards, Televised on ESPN, From Walt Disney World Resort

Quinn, Smith, McFadden Among Award Recipients at The Home Depot College Football Awards, Televised on ESPN, From Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden were among the award recipients who were honored at The Home Depot College Football Awards, televised live tonight on ESPN, from the Atlantic Dance Hall at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Quinn, a senior from Dublin, Ohio, captured the Maxwell Award for the best all-around player. Smith, a senior from Cleveland, Ohio, took home the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. McFadden, a sophomore from Little Rock, Ark., received the Doak Walker Award for best running back.

Other winners include: Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech, Biletnikoff Award (best wide receiver); Joe Thomas, Wisconsin, Outland Trophy (best interior lineman); Paul Posluszny, Penn State, Chuck Bednarik Trophy (best defensive player); Aaron Ross, Texas, Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back); Patrick Willis, Mississippi, Butkus Award (best linebacker); Arthur Carmody, Louisville, Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award; Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor, Ray Guy Award (best punter); Greg Schiano, Rutgers, The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award; Patrick Henry Hughes, Louisville, Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award (most inspirational story); and Chuck Neinas, former executive director of the College Football Association, NCFAA Contribution to College Football Award.

The Walter Camp All-America Team, which honors the nation's best college football players, was also announced on the show.

The following four award winners were also recognized: LaMarr Woodley, Michigan, Rotary Lombardi Award(SM) (outstanding lineman); James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, Bronko Nagurski Trophy (outstanding defensive player); Matt Spaeth, Minnesota, John Mackey Award (best tight end); and Dan Mozes, West Virginia, Rimington Trophy (outstanding center).

THE HOME DEPOT COLLEGE FOOTBALL AWARDS FINALISTS
(Players Listed Alphabetically, Winners are marked)

Maxwell Award (best all-around player)
Brady Quinn, Notre Dame- AWARD RECIPIENT
Ray Rice, Rutgers
Troy Smith, Ohio State

Biletnikoff Award (best wide receiver)
Jarett Dillard, Rice
Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech- AWARD RECIPIENT
Jeff Samardzija, Notre Dame

Chuck Bednarik Trophy (best defensive player)
Dan Connor, Penn State
*Paul Posluszny, Penn State- AWARD RECIPIENT
Lamarr Woodley, Michigan

Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back)
Leon Hall, Michigan
Reggie Nelson, Florida
Aaron Ross, Texas- AWARD RECIPIENT

Outland Trophy (best interior lineman)
Justin Blalock, Texas
Dan Mozes, West Virginia
Joe Thomas, Wisconsin- AWARD RECIPIENT

Butkus Award (best linebacker)
James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
*Paul Posluszny, Penn State
Patrick Willis, Mississippi- AWARD RECIPIENT

Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award
Colt Brennan, Hawaii
Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
Troy Smith, Ohio State- AWARD RECIPIENT

Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award
Arthur Carmody, Louisville- AWARD RECIPIENT
Garrett Hartley, Oklahoma
John Vaughn, Auburn

Doak Walker Award (best running back)
Mike Hart, Michigan
Darren McFadden, Arkansas- AWARD RECIPIENT
Steve Slaton, West Virginia

Ray Guy Award (best punter)
Durant Brooks, Georgia Tech
Jeremy Kapinos, Penn State
Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor- AWARD RECIPIENT

The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award
Greg Schiano, Rutgers- AWARD RECIPIENT

Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award
Patrick Henry Hughes- AWARD RECIPIENT

NCFAA Contribution to College Football Award
Chuck Neinas, CFA (Executive Director 1980-97)- AWARD RECIPIENT

*Award Winner in 2005

The Walter Camp All-America Team
Walter Camp Player of the Year: Troy Smith

(Offensive Team)
Quarterback Troy Smith Ohio State
Wide Receiver Dwayne Jarrett USC
Wide Receiver Calvin Johnson Georgia Tech
Tight End Zach Miller Arizona State
Offensive Lineman Justin Blalock Texas
Offensive Lineman Jake Long Michigan
Offensive Lineman Aaron Sears Tennessee
Offensive Lineman Joe Thomas Wisconsin
Offensive Lineman Dan Mozes West Virginia
Running Back Darren McFadden Arkansas
Running Back Steve Slaton West Virginia
Place Kicker Mason Crosby Colorado

(Defensive Team)
Defensive Lineman Gaines Adams Clemson
Defensive Lineman Justin Hickman UCLA
Defensive Lineman Quinn Pitcock Ohio State
Defensive Lineman LaMarr Woodley Michigan
Linebacker James Laurinaitis Ohio State
Linebacker Paul Posluszny Penn State
Linebacker Patrick Willis Ole Miss
Defensive Back Leon Hall Michigan
Defensive Back Daymeion Hughes Cal
Defensive Back Reggie Nelson Florida
Defensive Back Aaron Ross Texas
Punter Daniel Sepulveda Baylor
Kick Return DeSean Jackson Cal

The winners from the following list of award finalists also received recognition during the program:

Rotary Lombardi Award(SM) (outstanding lineman)
Justin Blalock, Texas
Quinn Pitcock, Ohio State
Paul Posluszny, Penn State
LaMarr Woodley, Michigan- AWARD RECIPIENT

John Mackey Award (best tight end)
John Carlson, Notre Dame
Zach Miller, Arizona State
Matt Spaeth, Minnesota- AWARD RECIPIENT

Bronko Nagurski Trophy (outstanding defensive player)
Gaines Adams, Clemson
Leon Hall, Michigan
James Laurinaitis, Ohio State- AWARD RECIPIENT
Reggie Nelson, Florida
Patrick Willis, Mississippi

Rimington Trophy (outstanding center)
Mark Bihl, Michigan
Doug Datish, Ohio State
Ryan Kalil, Southern California
Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
Dan Mozes, West Virginia- AWARD RECIPIENT
Darnell Stapleton, Rutgers

WINNERS' SKETCHES 2006 SEASON - (Listed Alphabetically)

Arthur Carmody (Junior, Kicker, 5-8, 181, Shreveport, La.) A first team All-Big East selection, he has connected on a school record 20-of-23 field goals this season and is also a perfect 57-for-57 in extra points. He is second in the nation in field goals and ranks fourth in the country in scoring.

Patrick Henry Hughes (Louisville band member) Despite being born with a rare genetic disorder that left him with no eyes and the inability to fully straighten his arms or legs, Hughes is excelling as a college freshman. With his dad guiding his way, Hughes is a trumpet player in the University of Louisville marching band, a concert pianist who has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., a recording artist and, most important, a straight-A student.

Calvin Johnson (Junior, Wide Receiver, 6-5, 235, Tyrone, Ga.) He has caught a school record 13 touchdown passes this season and leads the ACC in receptions (65, 5.5 per game) and receiving yards (1003, 83.6 per game). He has a career total of 167 receptions for 2,728 yards and a school record 26 touchdown catches.

Darren McFadden (Sophomore, Tailback, 6-2, 205, Little Rock, Ark.) He rushed for a school record 1,558 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, while throwing three touchdown passes and returning a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. He leads the SEC and ranks 10th in the nation with 119.85 yards per game and was named the unanimous SEC Offensive Player of the Year.

Chuck Neinas (Former Executive Director of the College Football Association) He is best known for his role as executive director of the College Football Association when it was formed in 1980, a post he held until 1997. The CFA supported the sport of football during the Title IX cutbacks and sponsored many NCAA legislative actions on behalf of coaches and players.

Paul Posluszny (Senior, Linebacker, 6-2, 238, Aliquippa, Pa.) He holds the school record for career tackles (364) and is the first Nittany Lion to register three 100-tackle seasons. An All-Big Ten selection, he has recorded 108 tackles (3rd in the Big Ten) with 7.0 for a loss, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four pass break-ups this season. He won the 2005 Chuck Bednarik Trophy and the 2005 Butkus Award, and is a finalist for both awards this year.

Brady Quinn (Senior, Quarterback, 6-4, 227, Dublin, Ohio) He owns 35 school records including single season records for pass completions (274) and touchdown passes (35). He has completed 63.4 percent of his passes (274-432) for 3,278 yards with 35 touchdowns and just five interceptions this season. He was a finalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award in 2005.

Aaron Ross (Senior, Cornerback, 6-1, 196, Tyler, Texas) He has recorded 77 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and 18 passes broken up this season. He is second in the nation for passes defended (23) and third in the nation for forced fumbles (three).

Greg Schiano (Rutgers Head Coach) The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award winner is completing his sixth year as the Scarlet Knights' head coach. Since taking over the program, he has guided his team to national recognition with a 10-2 record this year. In 2005, he led the team to their first winning season in 13 years and their first bowl game appearance in 27 years.

Daniel Sepulveda (Senior, Punter, 6-3, 230, Dallas, Texas) He ranks first nationally in punting with an average of 46.48 yards per punt, the highest single-season average in school history. He also established an NCAA record with 94 career punts of 50-plus yards, breaking a 20-year-old record.

Troy Smith (Senior, Quarterback, 6-1, 215, Cleveland, Ohio) The All-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year has led his team to a perfect 12-0 record this season. He has 2,740 yards of total offense this year with a school record 30 touchdown passes and leads the Big Ten in pass efficiency with a 167.87 figure.

Joe Thomas (Senior, Offensive Tackle, 6-8, 313, Brookfield, Wis.) After sustaining a torn ACL in last season's bowl game, he made a remarkable comeback to start every game for the Badgers this season and has been selected first-team All-Big Ten. His contributions to the team have led to an 11-1 record this year with an average of 387.5 yards of total offense and 30.2 points per game.

Patrick Willis (Senior, Linebacker, 6-2, 240, Bruceton, Tenn.) He has recorded 137 tackles this season including 11.5 for a loss, three sacks, and three forced fumbles. He leads the SEC in tackles per game (11.4, 6th in the NCAA) and ranks 3rd in the NCAA in solo tackles per game (7.25).

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Source: The Home Depot College Football Awards

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