Congrats to Allen Langford and Garrett Graham, who were named All-Big Ten on Monday. Especially Langford, who was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dreary season.
Always playing second fiddle to Jack Ikegwuonu, Langford was the less physically gifted of the two cornerbacks in his class, but he consistently received praise for his technique and grit. Then he blew out his knee last year, robbing him of the little speed he had. All he did was respond with a near-flawless senior season, leading the conference with 11 passes defended in league play. Seldom was he embarrassed in coverage. Good for him.
Graham probably didn't have the season he would have wished for, but he still led Big Ten tight ends in receiving. He should do some great things next year.
Also receiving all-conference honors were linebacker Jonathan Casillas, honorable mention; defensive lineman Jason Chapman, honorable mention; wide receiver David Gilreath, second team; running back P.J. Hill, honorable mention; guard Andy Kemp, honorable mention; linebacker DeAndre Levy, honorable mention; defensive tackle Mike Newkirk, second team; fullback Chris Pressley, sportsmanship award honoree; defensive end Matt Shaughnessy, honorable mention; guard Kraig Urbik, second etam; safety Jay Valai, second team; tackle Eric Vanden Heuvel, honorable mention; kicker Philip Welch, honorable mention.
Tell you what, that's a lot of honors for a team that went 3-5 in the conference.
Newkirk overachieved this year, he finished fourth on the team in tackles and led with eight tackles for loss. If Shaughnessy was honorable mention -- and that's about what he deserved -- then O'Brien Schofield should have been, too, he had 7.5 tackles for loss and led the team with five sacks. Loved the energy Valai brought to the defense, even if didn't always seem to rub off. And what about Niles Brinkley? He led the team with four interceptions and had nine pass breakups.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Langford, Graham named All-Big Ten
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3 comments:
Niles Brinkley? Are you kidding? Has anybody had a WORSE year at CB for the Badgers since 1992? Just because he had some picks doesn't mean he's any good (ala Shane Carter).
Urbik got in on name-recoginition alone.
Schofield and Welch were the true snubs IMO, along with Clay.
I'm just saying Niles had good numbers. He definitely struggled at times - Michigan State - but he had nowhere near the worst year by a Badger CB in recent years.
Langford's a great story. I can say he genuinely deserves first team based on his performance this year. I would have laughed at you if you told me Al Langford will be an all-Big Ten performer before this year.
I think Schofield should have gotten more consideration. OK with Brinkley being left off. He'll have his chances to prove it wrong the next three years.
I think the selections were reflective of the Badgers year. A whole heap of so-so performances.
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