Watch lists pile up for elites at Clemson

By Stephen Jerdan | Monday, June 26, 2006 | ( 5 )

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Without question, the Clemson Tigers have become the trendy pick to win the ACC Atlantic Division and, perhaps, their first ACC crown since 1991. With team recognition comes standout individuals, and Clemson's elites are not going unnoticed by the Football Writers Association of America and the National College Football Awards Association, the primary organizations who present the player position awards at the end of the regular season.

The first Tiger to be nominated for a distinguished position award was senior Dustin Fry. Fry, along with 38 others, has been placed on the watch list for the Dave Rimington Trophy, which is annually awarded to the nation's top center in college football. Fry, a Summerville, SC native, enters his second year as the Tigers' starting center and is the leader of the offensive line that returns all five starters, including three other seniors.

Dustin Fry's fellow linemate, senior guard Roman Fry, is also being recognized. The Outland Trophy, which is presented to the nation's finest lineman, announced its list of offensive and defensive linemen which will be considered for the distinguished award, and Fry - who has no relation to Dustin - was placed on the list alongside 53 others.

Behind the Fry boys will be sophomore tailback James Davis. The ACC Rookie of the Year has been placed on the watch list for the Maxwell Award, which is annually presented to the Collegiate Player of the Year. Not only has Davis worked his way into consideration for the award; he has also done it as a true sophomore. The Tigers are excited about Davis' future, and he may emerge as one of the top semifinalists for the award in October.

Defensively, linebacker Anthony Waters has been placed on the watch list for the Bronco Nagurski Award. The award is annually presented to the nation's top defensive player, and Waters is a legit contender for a finalist spot. Although he was predicted to go early in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Waters - who led the Tigers in tackles last season - opted to return for his senior season to lead one of the nation's most experienced and talented linebacker corps.

The most celebrated player on Clemson Tigers' roster is, without question, senior Gaines Adams. Adams, arguably the nation's best defensive end, has been named a preseason candidate for the Ted Hendricks Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, as well as the Bronco Nagurski Award. While the Ted Hendricks Award is presented to the nation's best defensive end, the Nagurski Award is presented to the nation's top overall defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America. The Chuck Bednarik Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club, is awarded to the consensus Defensive Player of the Year. Adams has also been picked by several publications to be both the Defensive Player of the Year, as well as a first-team All-American.

With many award lists still pending publication, the Tigers may have a few more marquee names, such as Chansi Stuckey and Rendrick Taylor, in consideration for nationwide recognition. Players like Dustin and Roman Fry, James Davis, Anthony Waters, and Gaines Adams are just some of the players that lead a star-studded Clemson team, and it should be no surprise if each finds himself a finalist for his designated award.

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