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Vanderbilt’s Jovan Haye Named to Preseason Nagurski Award Watch List 7/12/2004
Vanderbilt’s Jovan Haye Named to Preseason Nagurski Award Watch List Dallas, Texas — Vanderbilt junior defensive end Jovan Haye has been named to the Preseason Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List, given annually to the nation’s outstanding defensive player, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced. In June, Haye, a Second Team All-SEC selection by Southeastern Conference coaches in 2003, also was included in the watch list for the Hendricks Award, presented to college football’s outstanding defensive end. The winner of the Nagurski Trophy, presented by the FWAA and the Charlotte (N.C.) Touchdown Club, will be named on Dec. 6 at a banquet in Charlotte. The trophy honors the legendary University of Minnesota fullback/tackle who starred in the late 1920s. Nagurski was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951. The 2003 Nagurski winner was Oklahoma defensive back Derrick Strait, who was the second Sooner to win the award in three seasons. Georgia’s David Pollack captured the award in 2002. Haye was one of 60 defensive players named to the Nagurski Award watch list. Seven players from the Southeastern Conference are included on the list. Haye had a breakthrough season as a sophomore captain in 2003. He was named to the Coaches’ All-SEC Second Team and was the Commodores’ Most Valuable Defensive Lineman after sharing the SEC regular season lead with 8.5 sacks, the most by a Commodore since 1994. Haye also was among the league leaders with 12.5 tackles for loss. He topped the Commodore defensive line with 45 solo tackles, 75 total tackles, three forced fumbles, 11 quarterback hurries and three defensed passes. Haye posted multiple sacks in three games, including a 3-sack, one-interception performance at TCU. When Vanderbilt opens in September, Haye will serve as co-captain for the second consecutive year. He has started in 23 of 24 career games. The Commodores, in the third year under Johnson, will open the season Sept. 4 in Vanderbilt Stadium against SEC East Division foe South Carolina. |
