Clemson players recognized for achievements 12/15/2009 11:53 PM BY TRAVIS SAWCHIK The (Charleston) Post and Courier
CLEMSON -- The Tigers will undertake their first of 10 bowl practices today, leading up to the Dec. 27 Music City Bowl against Kentucky. In the spirit of Saturday's Heisman Trophy presentation and ESPN's college football awards show, the Post and Courier offers its Clemson football awards with the regular season complete.
Offensive MVP: C.J. Spiller
No. 28 is going to be retired at Clemson, so this selection shouldn't surprise. Spiller finished with 20 touchdowns this season, nine of 50 yards or longer. He saved his best for last at the ACC title game, setting career bests with 233 rushing yards on and four touchdowns. He has rushed for 1,145 yards and is third on the team in receiving (445) this season.
Defensive MVP: DeAndre McDaniel
McDaniel's play tailed off late in the year, but no safety was as productive in the country. McDaniel finished tied for second in the nation with eight interceptions and finished fourth on the team in tackles, which included two sacks. The question for Clemson nation is this: are these McDaniel's last practices as a Tiger? McDaniel said he's leaning "hard" toward returning.
Best Lineman: Chris Hairston
This is all you need to know about Hairston: Clemson is 8-3 with him in the lineup this season and 0-2 without him. Hairston made improvements as a junior, becoming a reliable blind-side protector for Kyle Parker, the only such asset on the Clemson roster. In losses to Maryland and TCU,
Best Receiver: Jacoby Ford
Yes, Ford provided the top moment of the season, identifying an overplay in the Miami defense to reel in the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Hurricanes. Yes, Ford led the Tigers in receptions (53), receiving yards (735) and touchdowns (5), but he also impacted the game without the ball.
Best Rookie: Kyle Parker
The regular season ended on a low note, but consider no freshman quarterback in the country won more games than Parker, and the two-sport star set Clemson freshman records in passing yardage and touchdowns.
Best Rookie: Rashard Hall
While much was made of McDaniel's eight interceptions this season, Hall was actually more dangerous per snap, recording six picks in 476 snaps. McDaniel was on the field for 832 plays.
Best Lineman: Da'Quan Bowers
He still hasn't lived up to No. 1-overall-prospect hype, but as a sophomore, Bowers began to be a force against the run and became more effective in rushing the passer. Despite missing two games, he was second on the team in quarterback pressures (12) and had three sacks, though Clemson wants that number improve.
Best Linebacker: Brandon Maye
Even though Maye led the team with tackles 103, this award comes by default as Clemson linebackers have struggled to get off blocks and make proper reads. See: nearly 600 combined rushing yards allowed against Georgia Tech and South Carolina. Maye improved as a sophomore but needs to keep improving to hold off freshman Corico Hawkins.
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