Tuesday 01/23/2007
Jan. 23, 2007
Photo Gallery (courtesy of Mark Crammer)
The Clemson football team held its annual banquet on January 13, 2007. Award winners were announced and the 2006 senior class was honored at the reception. Gaines Adams, Chansi Stuckey and Anthony Waters were named the permanent team captains for the 2006 season. A complete list of the awards presented follows.
Clemson Football Awards for 2006
Offensive Awards
Solid Rock Award – solid, consistent, and dependable player at each position
Two-year starter who finished the 2006 season with 16 catches for 305 yards…an Honorable Mention All-ACC tight end…the yardage total is the most by a Tiger tight end since Bennie Cunningham in 1975…from Pee Dee Academy…TE – Thomas Hunter
Third-team Associated Press All-American…First-Team All-ACC Selection at offensive guard…led the team in knockdown blocks and intimidation blocks…allowed just one sack all season…was the highest-rated offensive lineman in five of the last six games…from Paulding County High School…OL – Nathan Bennett
First-Team All-ACC wideout for the second straight year…the first two-time First-Team All-ACC wide receiver from Clemson since Chansi Stuckey
First-Team All-ACC selection…rushed for 1187 yards in 2006…averaged 94.5 yards per game, 24th best in the nation…third in the ACC in rushing and first in touchdowns…had best game against #13 Georgia Tech when he had 216 yards rushing…from Douglass High School in Atlanta, GA…RB – James Davis
Clemson’s career leader in passing efficiency (135.3)…second in the ACC in passing efficiency…sixth in the ACC in passing yards per game and fourth in total offense…led Clemson to ACC bests in total offense and scoring offense…from Trinity Prep in Winter Park, FL…QB – Will Proctor
Hustle Award – gave consistent effort throughout the year and served as an inspiration to his teammates
Started six games this year…had 25 catches for the year, third-most on the team…doubled his receptions and reception yardage in his sophomore year compared to his freshman year…had four catches for 51 yards at Boston College, a career-high in both receptions and reception yardage…from Spain Park High in Birmingham, AL…Tyler Grisham
12th Man Award – came off the bench to contribute the most
First-team freshman All-American…Second-Team All-ACC running back…runner up for the conference Rookie of the Year Honors…named ACC Rookie of the Year by Rivals.com and Collegefootballnews.com…led Clemson and is second in the ACC in 100- yard rushing games (5); he set a Clemson freshman record in that category…had an incredible 7.37 yards per carry this year, fourth-best in the nation…from Union County High School in Lake Butler, FL…C.J. Spiller
Iron Man Award – dependable practice player, played every snap, played hurt
Second-Team All-ACC selection…played more snaps than any other Tiger each of the last two seasons…played 820 in 2005 as a junior and 666 as a senior…ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against Louisiana Tech…had a 93% coaches grade for that game to help the Tigers to a 300-yard rushing game…from Summerville High School…Dustin Fry
Rookie of the Year Award – most productive young player
Had 938 yards rushing for the season, third-most in a single season by a Tiger freshman…established Clemson freshman records for all-purpose yards (1,343) and total touchdowns (12)…second in the ACC in all-purpose yards…three-time ACC Rookie-of-the-week…his 938 rushing yards are eighth-best in ACC history among freshman…had an 82-yard touchdown reception against Boston College that was the longest in Clemson history by a running back and the longest touchdown reception by a freshman…from Union County High School…C.J. Spiller
Special Teams Player of the Year – great effort, made plays consistently
Second-Team freshman All-American as a return man by Rivals.com and Scout.com…averaged 33.1 yards per kickoff return…only special teams player in the nation with a punt return and a kick-off return of at least 90 yards this season…had a 92-yard punt return for a touchdown against Florida Atlantic which is the longest in Clemson history…from Cardinal Newman High School in Royal Palm Beach, FL…Jacoby Ford
Scout Team Player of the Year
From Orangeburg Prep in Bowman, SC…Britton Whetsell
Tiger Pride Award – the most valuable player, playmaker
One of four players in Clemson history to score a touchdown four ways; he has caught one, rushed for one, thrown for one, and scored on a punt return…had seven career 100-yard reception games in his career…had three 100 yards receiving games this year…has 1,667 career receiving yards, third among active ACC players…from Northside High School…Chansi Stuckey
Defensive Awards
Perhaps the most improved defensive lineman on the team…went from 18 tackles as a freshman to 45 tackles as a sophomore…started all 12 games at defensive tackle and has averaged 32 plays per game…had at least two tackles in every game; the only interior lineman who could make that claim…had a season and career-high seven tackles at Virginia Tech…from Ridge View High School in Columbia, SC…DL – Dorell Scott
Among the top-10 tacklers in the ACC in 2006; he finished the regular season with 98 tackles…had 41 tackles over the last three games, including a season high 17 in the win over N.C. State; that tied for the most tackles in a game by a Tiger all season…started all 13 games this year and has played 25 consecutive games over two years…from DeSoto High School in Arcadia, FL…DB – Chris Clemons
Clemson’s leading tackler (108)…had 72 first hits to lead the team…had three interceptions which ties him for the team lead; it is the most interceptions by a Tiger linebacker since LeRoy Hill had three in 2003…has 260 career tackles, more than any other active Tiger…from Edna Karr Magnet School in New Orleans, LA…ILB – Nick Watkins
Named ACC Defensive Player-of-the-Year…one of the five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award, which is given to the top defensive player in college football…unanimous First-Team All-American…First-Team All-ACC…had 12.5 sacks this season, tops in the ACC, ninth in the nation, and tied for the second most in a single season in Clemson history…from Cambridge Academy in Greenwood, SC…OLB – Gaines Adams
Has played in 13 games, including two starts against N.C. State and Kentucky…had a season-high four tackles against Temple and four against #13 Georgia Tech…Clemson’s Special Teams Player-of-the-week against N.C. State according to the coaches…from Allendale-Fairfax High School in Allendale, SC…Cortney Vincent
Outstanding freshman cornerback who is tied for team lead in interceptions (3) this year…had two interceptions for 35 yards against Louisiana Tech, the first freshman to get two picks in one game since Justin Miller in 2002…First-Team Freshman All-ACC selection according to Sporting News…from Asheville High School in Asheville, NC…Crezdon Butler
A big reason Clemson has been in the top 15 in the nation in scoring defense each of the last two seasons…had a career high 10 tackles against South Carolina…had his best all-around game against Maryland when he had nine tackles, a tackle for loss, and a 16-yard interception return…from Lamar High School in Timmonsville, SC…Michael Hamlin
Honorable mention freshman All-American according to College Football News…second on the team in sacks behind Gaines Adams…his four sacks have tied the Clemson record for a first-year freshman held by William Perry (1981)…has 19 tackles overall, including six behind the line of scrimmage…from Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School…Ricky Sapp
Special Teams Player of the Year – great effort, made great plays consistently
Had 46 career starts, more than any other active Tiger and more than any other punter in Clemson history…had 221 career punts for a school record…named Clemson’s Special Teams Player-of-the-Week by the coaches four times during the season…had a 39.5 yard average in net punting for the year on his 47 punts…from Greater Atlanta Christian School in Atlanta, GA…Cole Chason
QB from Riverside High School in Greer, SC…Michael Wade
A finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, Lombardi Award, the Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Player-of-the-Year award…was one of the four finalists for the Game Changing Performance of the Year with his 66 yard-fumble return on a botched field goal attempt by Wake Forest…from Cambridge Academy…Gaines Adams
Academic Awards
Highest GPA Award (Freshman): Michael WadeHighest GPA Award (Sophomore): Preston StoneHighest GP Award (Junior): Jimmy ManersHighest GPA Award (Senior): Chris CareyHighest GPA Award (Team): Josh StoneMost Improved Academic Award: Rashaad JacksonVickery Hall Award: Kavell Conner
Weight Room Awards
Strength All-Americans:
On Offense, this player finished with the following strength accomplishments: – BENCH: 500 lbs. – 225 BENCH REP TEST: 42 Reps (All Time Clemson Football Record) – SQUAT: 655 lbs. – POWER CLEAN: 340 lbs. – POWER CLEAN/PUSH PRESS: 290 lbs. – HANG CLEAN: 410 lbs. – VERTICAL JUMP: 28.5″ – 40 YD SPRINT: 5.12 – BODY WEIGHT: 325 lbs
Dustin Fry
On Defense, this player finished with the following strength accomplishments: – BENCH: 405 lbs. (an increase of 125 lbs. Since freshman year) – 225 BENCH REP TEST: 20 Reps – SQUAT: 500 lbs. – POWER CLEAN: 325 lbs. – POWER CLEAN/PUSH PRESS: 285 lbs. – HANG CLEAN: 370 lbs. – VERTICAL JUMP: 35.5″ – 40 YD SPRINT: 4.48 – BODY WEIGHT: 235 lbs.
Anthony Waters
Dedication Award 2006
The Dedication Award Program recognizes the Tiger football player whose commitment, work ethic, and leadership in the weight room serves as an example to other players. This individual places the team above individual accomplishments and is committed to excellence in the area of Next Level Training. This award is voted on by his teammates.
Chansi Stuckey (Offense)
Permanent Team Captains for 2006
Gaines Adams
Chansi Stuckey
December 8, 2024
