Dec. 7, 2012
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The University of Texas football program paid tribute to the 2012 regular season with its annual banquet Friday night at the Frank Erwin Center.
The team selected senior defensive end Alex Okafor and senior safety Kenny Vaccaro as the 2012 official team captains for their outstanding leadership on and off the field this season.
The football team also voted the duo co-recipients of the Joseph W. Moore Tenacity Award for Defense. It marked Vaccaro's third consecutive year winning the award.
In addition to those two awards, the Longhorn squad also voted on eight other honors. The team recognized Okafor's leadership again when they selected him winner of the Roy Williams - Joe Jamail Leadership Award.
On the offensive side of the ball, junior offensive guard Mason Walters was presented the D. Harold Byrd Tenacity Award, marking the second year in a row he received that honor.
Kenny Vaccaro was also voted the George "Hook" McCullough Most Valuable Player, as well as being voted the Mike Campbell Most Valuable Defensive Player. He finished the regular season with a team-high 100 (60 solo) tackles.
The Darrell K Royal Most Valuable Offensive Player for 2012 was junior wideout Mike Davis. Davis finished the regular season leading the team in receptions (54), receiving yards (909), yards per reception (16.8) and receiving touchdowns (7).
Senior punter Alex King and senior running back/wide receiver D.J. Monroe shared honors for the Frank Denius Most Valuable Special Teams Player. Monroe finished the regular season first all-time in career kickoff returns for touchdowns (3), and second all-time in both career kickoff returns (64) and career kickoff return yardage (1,621 yards) for the Longhorns. He is also tied for third all-time in career average yards per return (25.3 yards per return). For the season, King has punted 38 times for 1721 yards for a 45.3 yards per punt average. King's per punt average would rank first in the conference and ninth in the nation if he had the required 3.6 punts per game (King averages 3.16 punts per game).
The Clyde Littlefield Most Team Spirited (Defense) was presented to sophomore defensive tackle Desmond Jackson along with co-captains Alex Okafor and Kenny Vaccaro.
The DX Bible Most Team Spirited (Offense) honor was awarded to senior running back Jeremy Hills, junior quarterback Case McCoy, senior offensive tackle Luke Poehlmann and Walters.
Four coaches' choice awards were also presented at the banquet. Senior wideout Marquise Goodwin, who spent the summer competing in the 2012 London Olympics, was tabbed as the recipient of the Lan Hewlett Academic Award for his excellence in the classroom.
Senior fullback Ryan Roberson was honored with the Edith & Darrell K Royal Coca Cola Community Service Award for his dedication to giving back to the community.
The Frank Medina Rehabilitation Award was presented to junior tight end Trey Graham, who has battled back from a knee injury and played an integral role on the scout team this season.
Finally, the Dr. Nasser Al-Rashid Strength & Conditioning Award was given to junior linebacker Jordan Hicks, Jackson and Walters.
2012 TEAM AWARDS
COACHES' CHOICE AWARDS
Lan Hewlett Academic Award: Marquise Goodwin
Edith & Darrell K Royal Coca Cola Community Service Award: Ryan Roberson
Frank Medina Rehabilitation Award: Trey Graham
Dr. Nasser Al-Rashid Strength & Conditioning Award: Jordan Hicks, Desmond Jackson, and Mason Walters
PLAYERS' CHOICE AWARDS
DX Bible Most Team Spirited (Offense): Jeremy Hills, Case McCoy, Luke Poehlmann, & Mason Walters
Clyde Littlefield Most Team Spirited (Defense): Desmond Jackson, Alex Okafor, & Kenny Vaccaro
Joseph W. Moore Tenacity Award for Defense: Alex Okafor & Kenny Vaccaro
Frank Denius Most Valuable Special Teams Player: Alex King & D.J. Monroe
D. Harold Byrd Tenacity Award for Offense: Mason Walters
Darrell K Royal Most Valuable Offensive Player: Mike Davis
Mike Campbell Most Valuable Defensive Player: Kenny Vaccaro
George "Hook" McCullough Most Valuable Player: Kenny Vaccaro
Roy Williams - Joe Jamail Leadership Award: Alex Okafor
Team Captains Award: Alex Okafor & Kenny Vaccaro
