Clemson, SC—Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney announced award winners for the 2009 football season at the team’s awards banquet on Saturday evening.  The Tigers concluded the season with a 9-5 record, Atlantic Division Champions of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and as the #24 ranked team in the nation by Associated Press.

            C.J. Spiller brought home the most hardware as he was named the Solid Rock Award winner  for the running backs, was the team’s MVP of the special teams, and was named the team’s MVP on offense.  He  was also presented  with a special Award, the John Heisman Award.  The John Heisman Award is presented to a Clemson football player who is named a unanimous first-team All-American.

            Spiller was named the Most Valuable Player of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the first Clemson player to win that award since 1986.  He was a first-team All-American by every service.  He was the only player in the nation to score at least one touchdown in every one of his team’s games and he ranked fourth in the nation in all-purpose running (2588 yards)  and fifth in total touchdowns with 21.

            DeAndre McDaniel was named the MVP of the defense.  McDaniel was a first-team All-American according to the Football Writers Association and a first-team All-ACC selection.  He had eight interceptions to tie a Clemson record, and finished fourth on the team in tackles with 102.  He became the first player in Clemson history with eight interceptions and at least 100 tackles in the same year.

The list of Award Winners Follows:

Offense

Solid Rock Award—Most solid, consistent, and dependable player by position:

            QB—Kyle Parker

            RB—C.J. Spiller

            WR—Jacoby Ford

            TE—Michael Palmer

            OL—Thomas Austin

Hustle Award—Player who gave consistent effort throughout the year and served as an inspiration to his teammates: 

            Terrance Ashe

12^th Man Award—Contributed the most off the bench

            Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington

Rookie of the Year

            Kyle Parker and Dalton Freeman

Iron Man Award—Dependable player who played through injury

            Chad Diehl

Special Teams Player of the Year

            C.J. Spiller

Scout Team Player of the Year

            Tajh Boyd and Caleb Simmons

Most Valuable Player

            C.J. Spiller

Defensive Awards

Solid Rock Award

            DB—Marcus Gilchrist

            DT—Jarvis Jenkins

            DE—Kevin Alexander

            LB—Kavell Conner

Hustle Award

            Chris Chancellor and Crezdon Butler

12^th Man Award

            Andre Branch

Iron Man Award

            Ricky Sapp

Rookie of the Year Award

            Mallaciah Goodman and Rashard Hall

Special Teams Player of the Year

            Kevin Alexander

Scout Team Player of the Year

            Tyler Shatley and Spencer Shuey

Specialist of the Year

            Michael Wade

Defensive MVP

            DeAndre McDaniel

Academic Awards

            Highest GPA (Freshmen)                 Matt Skinner

            Highest GPA (Sophomores)             Dawson Zimmerman

            Highest GPA (juniors)                       Byron Clear

            Highest GPA (Seniors)                      Michael Clear

            Highest GPA (Team)                         Caleb Simmons

Vickery Hall Award to individuals that exemplify the values of Vickery Hall:

            Ronald Watson, DeAndre McDaniel, Michael Palmer, Jaron Brown

Weight Room Awards

Strength All-Americans:

            Offense:  Thomas Austin

            Defense:  Kevin Alexander

Dedication Award

            Offense:  Chad Diehl

            Defense:  Kavell Conner

Permanent Captains Awards

            Offense:  Michael Palmer, Thomas Austin, C.J. Spiller

            Defense:  Chris Chancellor, Ricky Sapp, Kavell Conner