BY MICHAEL PHILLIPS
Media General News Service
After a two-year drought, Virginia Tech reclaimed the Dudley Award last night, as senior linebacker Cody Grimm was named the best college football player in Virginia.
The annual award hadn’t been given to a Hokie since Vince Hall in 2006, the school’s longest drought dating back to the late 90’s.
But it was a pair of NFL Hall of Famers who took center stage at the convention center, as both Bill Dudley and Willie Lanier were on hand to present awards. This was the first year the award for the best Division II/III/NAIA player was named in Lanier’s honor.
That award went to Caleb Jennings of Emory & Henry. The junior running back was the 2009 ODAC offensive player of the year, having run for 137 yards per game, 14 touchdowns, and contributing as both a punt and kick returner.
Right behind him was junior defensive end Will Riggenbach of Hampden-Sydney, the ODAC’s defensive player of the year, and Matt Cassilly of Washington and Lee, capping a strong year for the conference.
Right behind Grimm were a pair of FCS players – quarterback Eric Ward of Richmond and defensive end Arthur Moats of James Madison.
Hokies freshman running back Ryan Williams was not eligible for the award, as each team is allowed only one nominee – as selected by its head coach. Frank Beamer selected
Grimm, a former walk-on who now has his name engraved on the trophy for excellence in the Commonwealth.
“When I came in, I was just going to be happy if I got to [take the field], to tell you the truth,” Grimm said. “There are some really good players on here – to be grouped with them is an amazing honor.”
This season Grimm finished third in the ACC with 99 tackles, including seven sacks. His seven forced fumbles were a conference record, including a remarkable three of them on senior day against N.C. State.
He received a standing ovation as he walked up to collect his trophy, an honor also bestowed on the two legends in attendance. The Dudley Award has been given since 1990, and the Lanier award since 2004, but this was the first time Lanier was the trophy’s namesake.
In an address to the players in attendance, he spoke of the power of football to transform lives. He said he was pleased to be a part of the presentation, because it wasn’t about him
and his accomplishments, but rather the transforming power of the game.
Jennings in particular said he was impressed by the lineup of players on hand.
“Being here with Hall of Famers, and people who I’m going to be watching play on New Year’s Eve, in Atlanta,” he said. “It’s an amazing game, and it can bring so many people together.”
Also on hand last night was Greg Gallop, II of Thomas Dale, an offensive guard for the Knights, who will be playing in the state title game Saturday. He was presented with the Bill Dudley Scholarship.
In recent years the ceremony has been moved to Tuesday night to accommodate FCS teams still in the playoff hunt. This year that team is William and Mary, which nominated senior defensive end Adrian Tracy.
Last year Rodney Landers of the Dukes picked up the trophy, breaking a nine-year stretch dominated by the state’s two most prominent programs.
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