NIU's Smith & EMU's Crosby Named To 2018 Ted Hendricks Award Watch List
NIU's Sutton Smith & Eastern Michigan's Maxx Crosby Named To 2018 Ted Hendricks Award Watch List
Chicago, IL - Ted Hendricks and the Ted Hendricks Foundation are pleased to announce the release of the initial Watch List for the 2018 edition of the Ted Hendricks Award, which honors the top defensive end in college football. Representing the MAC are NIU junior defensive end Sutton Smith and Eastern Michigan junior defensive end Maxx Crosby.
Smith, a native of St. Charles, Mo., led the Football Bowl Subdvision (FBS) in tackles for loss with 29.5 and broke the NIU school record for sacks in a single season with 14, which tied for the FBS lead a year ago. The 2017 MAC Defensive Player of the Year, Smith also forced and recovered three fumbles in 2017, returning two for scores. Smith became the ninth player in MAC history to be named a consensus All-American. He collected first-team All-America honors from Walter Camp and the FWAA, and second team accolades from the AP, AFCA and Sporting News.
Crosby, a native of Colleyville, Texas, played in all 12 games for Eastern Michigan last season and led the Eagles with 11 sacks, tying the program record. He posted back-to-back multi-sack games, with three each against Central Michigan on Nov. 8 and Miami on Nov. 15. A 2017 First Team All-MAC selection, Crosby also forced four fumbles and recorded two recoveries.
As in past years, this list will remain open and subject to change throughout the season. The final version of the Watch List will be issued prior to our first ballot in late November. We plan on announcing our 2018 recipient on December 12th.
The Ted Hendricks Award is named in honor of college football’s first three-time first-team All- American. 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 recipient each year. Members of the national media, head coaches, professional scouts and former winners are included on the Award’s selection committee. Candidates may represent any class as well as any four-year NCAA accredited school. The candidate’s primary position must be defensive end.
