WVU Football players have earned some well-deserved recognition over the past few days, from both the Big 12 and various national media outlets.
Rasul Douglas is probably the most popular Mountaineer in the media right now. He was an All-Big 12 first team selection, named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year by ESPN, and has earned second team All-American honors from Pro Football Focus, USA Today and the Walter Camp Foundation. Douglas is tied for the country’s lead with eight interceptions, and recorded 62 tackles on the season. Look for No. 13 to make an impact against the Hurricanes when Dec. 28’s Russell Athletic Bowl rolls around.
Senior center Tyler Orlosky’s been mentioned quite a bit lately as well, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors. Like Douglas, he made USA Today’s second-team and was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given annually to the most outstanding center; Ohio State’s Pat Elflein received the award. Expect Orlosky to give everything he has in his last game for the Mountaineers, with a possible NFL journey awaiting his future.
Justin Crawford was named Offensive Newcomer of the Year by ESPN.com for his stellar season in old gold & blue. He piled up over 1,100 yards rushing behind Orlosky & Co., and rushed for a career-high 331 yards against Oklahoma. During the final three weeks of the season, Crawford was twice named the Big 12’s Newcomer of the Week for his performances against the Sooners and in the finale against Baylor where he rushed for 209 yards.
The most-coveted individual award in college football was handed out tonight – the Heisman Trophy. A Mountaineer didn’t win it, but neither did someone (or two) the ‘Eers faced. Lamar Jackson, the closest thing we’ve seen to Pat White, was the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner. He accounted for 3,390 passing yards, 1,538 rushing yards and a total of 51 touchdowns.