Dec. 10, 2008
Austin, Texas -- Senior DE Brian Orakpo was named the winner of the 2008 Ted Hendricks Award, honoring the nation's top defensive end, the Ted Hendricks Award announced Wednesday.
"My congratulations to Brian Orakpo, our 2008 award winner," said Hendricks. "He is an impressive example of today's student-athlete. His sense of community and scholarship have proved to be an excellent balance to his development as a standout on the football field. He spent a lot of time in opposing team's backfields creating tackles for loss, sacks and general mayhem. He is a splendid addition to the other winners of the award."
Orakpo is Texas' first winner of the award. Former Longhorn and current Denver Bronco Tim Crowder was a finalist in 2006.
"I can't describe how thrilled I am to win the Hendricks Award," Orakpo said. "I got to meet Mr. Hendricks at the Nagurski Trophy dinner and to have that kind of connection makes it that much more special. Like the Nagurski, I couldn't have achieved this without my teammates and coaches. I owe all the credit to them."
Orakpo learned of the win while in Houston participating in activities as a finalist for the Lombardi Award, honoring the nation's top lineman. He will attend a banquet Wednesday night where the winner will be announced.
On Monday, Orakpo won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, honoring the nation's top defensive player, in Charlotte, N.C. That followed his participation in fall commencement ceremonies at UT on Saturday.
Orakpo is also a finalist for the Lott Trophy, honoring the nation's top defensive IMPACT player, and will attend a banquet in Newport Beach, Calif., on Sunday when the winner will be announced.
The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-America selection by the American Footabll Coaches Association, Orakpo has made 40 tackles (29 solo) and leads the team with 10.5 sacks, which is tied for sixth nationally, 18 TFL, which is tied for the 11th-most nationally, four forced fumbles, which is tied for the third-most nationally, and 27 pressures, despite being limited in two and a half games with a knee injury this season. He has twice been named the Lott Trophy National Defensive Player of the Week. In four games against Top 25 opponents this season, he has notched 16 tackles, three sacks, seven TFL, nine pressures and a forced fumble.
For his career, Orakpo has tallied 130 tackles (91 solo), 21 sacks, 37 TFL, 59 pressures, six PBD, six forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 46 games (20 starts).
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