Bronson Kaufusi named to Hendricks Award watch list

PROVO, Utah – BYU defensive lineman Bronson Kaufusi has been named to the watch list for the 2013 Ted Hendricks Award, the award given to college football’s premier defensive end.

A native of Provo, Utah, Kaufusi saw action in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2012. The 6-foot-7, 282-pound lineman tallied 23 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in the season.  One of 22 players selected to the watch list, Kaufusi also played basketball on the 2012-13 squad for BYU, averaging 1.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in 20 games as a forward.

The Ted Hendricks Award is named in honor of college football’s first three-time first-team All-American. As a defensive end at the University of Miami, Hendricks used his agility, height and reach to block passes and kicks, force interceptions and pressure quarterbacks and running backs. His professional career spanned 15 years and 215 consecutive games. It included four Super Bowl victories, eight Pro Bowl selections and inductions into the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

On-field performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities, contributions to school and community and academic preparedness are some of the criteria used to determine the Award’s winner. Members of the national media, head coaches, professional scouts and former winners are included in the Award’s voting committee.

The Hendricks Award voting committee will cast two votes: one to narrow the list of candidates to 4-6 finalists, and one to choose the winner for the season. The 2013 winner will be announced on December 11.

Previous recipients of the Hendricks Award include: Terrell Suggs, David Pollack, Elvis Dumervil, LaMarr Woodley, Chris Long, Brian Orakpo, Jerry Hughes, Da’Quan Bowers, Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney.

2013 Ted Hendricks Award watch list:

Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech
Morgan Breslin, USC
Anthony Chickillo, Miami
Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
Scott Crichton, Oregon State
Ik Enempkpali, Louisiana Tech
Devonte Fields, TCU
Ryne Giddins, South Florida
Brock Hekking, Nevada
Kerry Hyder, Texas Tech
Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
Bronson Kaufusi, BYU
Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State
Aaron Lynch, South Florida
Kareem Martin, North Carolina
Jonathan Newsome, Ball State
Marcus Rush, Michigan State
Tyler Scott, Northwestern
Chris Smith, Arkansas
Jeremiah Taylor, Marshall
Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame
Chidera Uzo Diribe, Colorado