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Williams and Wilson Named to Preseason Award Watch Lists
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Juice Williams was named to the 2009 Manning Award watch list.
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Aug. 17, 2009
University of Illinois senior quarterback Juice Williams and junior linebacker Martez Wilson have been named to preseason watch lists, as announced by the awards' committees, Monday. Williams is up for the Manning Award given to the nation's top quarterbacks, and Wilson for the Rotary Lombardi Award, which is given to the outstanding offensive or defensive player set no farther than 10 yards from the ball.
Williams returns for his fourth season as Illinois' starting quarterback after leading the Big Ten in passing and total offense as a junior. Williams hopes to lead the Illini back to national prominence as he did in 2007 when the squad played in the 2008 Rose Bowl. In three seasons under center, he has racked up over 6,400 passing yards and over 2,000 on the ground. He is on pace to break Illinois' career records for passing and total offense and will challenge the Big Ten's all-time total offense mark.
Wilson enters his second season as a starter at linebacker and first in the middle. He ranked 14th in the Big Ten in tackles in 2008 and fifth in fumbles recovered. In two seasons, he has recorded 98 stops, including 8.5 for loss and five sacks. He is ranked in preseason publications as an All-Big Ten selection and earned freshman All-America honors in 2007.
The Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, will announce a winner after the bowls in January, and will be honored at a February banquet in New Orleans. The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that takes into consideration the candidates' bowl performances. Ten finalists will be determined by a selected panel of national media covering college football, as well as each of the Mannings. That list will be released on Monday, Nov. 30. The winner will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 14.
The Rotary Lombardi Award goes annually to the college football player -- offense or defense -- who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi. To be eligible, the player can be an offensive lineman, defensive lineman, linebacker, or tight end. The first round of voting is conducted in late September and early October. From this first round of tabulated votes, the list of 12 semifinalists is created and released at the end of October. The four finalists will make the trip to Houston for the Award Dinner on Dec. 9, 2009.
Illinois Players on Watch Lists
John Mackey (TE) - Michael Hoomanawanui
Walter Camp (Player of the Year) - Arrelious Benn
Davey O'Brien (QB) - Juice Williams
Ted Hendricks (DE) - Doug Pilcher
Fred Biletnikoff (WR) - Arrelious Benn
Outland Trophy (Line) - Jon Asamoah
Manning Award (QB) - Juice Williams
Rotary Lombardi Award (Line/LB/TE) - Martez Wilson
