Locksley Announces 2024 Spring Award Recipients
4/28/2024 11:00:00 AM | Football
In 2019, Maryland Football Head Coach Michael Locksley started a spring awards tradition that honors past Terrapin greats. At the conclusion of the Red-White Spring Game each season, Locksley handed out a variety of awards to current players. Each award will be named after a Terrapin legend with the award names changing each year. Here are this year's 16 awards.
Darren "Droz" Drozdov Headhunter Award
A defensive lineman for the Terrapins from 1988 to 1992, Drozdov went on to play one season with the Denver Broncos before becoming a WWE star.
The winners are… Fa'Najae Gotay and Tommy Akingbesote.
The winners are… Fa'Najae Gotay and Tommy Akingbesote.
Alex Wujciak "I Like to Practice" Award
During his time in College Park from 2006-2010, Wujciak developed into one of the best middle linebackers in the nation and was a three-time All-ACC selection who set the Terps single-season interception return yards mark in 2009 with 152.
The winners are… Caleb Wheatland, Ruben Hyppolite II and Dylan Wade
The winners are… Caleb Wheatland, Ruben Hyppolite II and Dylan Wade
Bruce Mesner Defensive Lineman Award
Mesner captained the 1986 Maryland team and became one of only two football players to be voted to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team three times before he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills.
The winners are… Jordan Phillips, Quashon Fuller, Taizse Johnson, and Daniel Owens
The winners are… Jordan Phillips, Quashon Fuller, Taizse Johnson, and Daniel Owens
Dave Pacella Offensive Lineman Award
Pacella blocked for Boomer Esiason and some prolific Terrapin offenses in the early 1980s and then went on to play professionally in both the USFL and NFL.
The winners are… Aliou Bah and Alan Herron
The winners are… Aliou Bah and Alan Herron
Alvin Blount most improved freshman award
A star running back for the Terps from 1983-86, Blount still sits in the top-15 in program history in both career rushing attempts and career yards per carry today.
The winners are… Kevis Thomas, Lavon Johnson, Michael Harris, Daniel Wingate, Nolan Ray, and AJ Szymanski
The winners are… Kevis Thomas, Lavon Johnson, Michael Harris, Daniel Wingate, Nolan Ray, and AJ Szymanski
Noah Barnes community service award
A tight end and special teams player, Barnes was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten member as a Terrapin and was on the 2019 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List.
The winners are… Dillan Fontus and Robert Smith
The winners are… Dillan Fontus and Robert Smith
Josh Allen most improved player award
Allen was an excellent running back for the Terps from 2002-2006 who made an impressive comeback in 2006 after missing 2005 due to a bad knee injury. His 257 rushing yards against Virginia in 2003 remains the fourth-most rushing yards in a game in program history.
The winners are… Perry Fisher and Shaleak Knotts
The winners are… Perry Fisher and Shaleak Knotts
Eric Sievers Commitment to Excellence Award
An excellent pass blocker as a tight end from 1976-1980, Sievers was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1981 and enjoyed a decade-long NFL career.
The winners are… Jordan Phillips, Dante Trader Jr., and Preston Howard
The winners are… Jordan Phillips, Dante Trader Jr., and Preston Howard
CJ Brown leadership award
A dual-threat quarterback who holds four of the top-10 rushing performances by quarterbacks in program history, Brown was with the Terps from 2009-2014 and served as a team leader even while dealing with injuries.
The winners are… Kellan Wyatt, Josh Kaltenberger, and Isaac Bunyun
The winners are… Kellan Wyatt, Josh Kaltenberger, and Isaac Bunyun
Willie Joyner offensive back award
Joyner ran for 2,140 yards from 1980-1983, a mark that is 12th all-time in school history, highlighted by a 240-rushing yard game against North Carolina in 1982.
The winners are… Roman Hemby and Colby McDonald
The winners are… Roman Hemby and Colby McDonald
Joe Vellano outstanding non-scholarship player award
Vellano was a hard-nosed defensive lineman for the Terrapins who molded himself into an All-American in 2011 and eventually signed with the New England Patriots.
The winners are… Rex Fleming and Conor Fagan
The winners are… Rex Fleming and Conor Fagan
Lloyd Burruss defensive back award
A standout safety and punt returner for Maryland from 1976-1980, Burruss went on to an excellent NFL career and is a member of Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame.
The winners are… Glendon Miller and Jalen Huskey
The winners are… Glendon Miller and Jalen Huskey
Ritchie Petitbon linebacker award
Petitbon played for the Terps from 1984-1987 and helped lead them to back-to-back bowl game wins in the 1984 Sun Bowl and 1985 Cherry Bowl.
The winners are… Caleb Wheatland, Ruben Hyppolite II, and Donnell Brown
The winners are… Caleb Wheatland, Ruben Hyppolite II, and Donnell Brown
Marcus Badgett wide receiver award
From 1989-1992, Badgett was a do-it-all wideout for the Terps with 1, 748 career receiving yards including the most receiving yards in a game in program history with 251 against Pitt in 1992.
The winners are… Tai Felton, Kaden Prather, and Braeden Wisloski
The winners are… Tai Felton, Kaden Prather, and Braeden Wisloski
Adam Podlesh special teams award
A four-year starter at punter and two-time Ray Guy Award semifinalist, Podlesh is the only player in Terps history to be named All-ACC four times in his career. He also earned honorable mention All-America honors as a senior and his punting average of 43.1 yards ranks second in school history.
The winners are… Ethan Gough and Eli Mason
The winners are… Ethan Gough and Eli Mason
Randy Starks most valuable lineman award
Named after Starks, who led the Terps to three straight bowl games from 2001 to 2003 and was a two-time All-ACC selection with 201 career tackles. Starks was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the Third Round of the 2004 draft and went on to be named to two Pro Bowls during his 10-year professional career.
The winner is… Jordan Phillips
The winner is… Jordan Phillips
Keith Moore "Special K" mvp award
Named after Moore, a Terrapin superfan and beloved stadium hype man for decades. A 1991 Maryland graduate, Moore was at every home game for years sporting his superman cape and firing up fans. Moore passed away in November but his impact on Maryland fans everywhere is still felt today.
The winner is… MJ Morris
The winner is… MJ Morris
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