Ryan O'Bryant Named Aggie Heart Award Winner at A&M Football Banquet
Apr 16, 2010 | Football
April 16, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Ryan O'Bryant, a senior fullback from Houston (Nimitz High School) and a 12th Man kickoff team captain and 12th Man representative for eight games in his career, was named the Aggie Heart Award winner, the highest honor for a Texas A&M senior football player. The award was presented at the annual Texas A&M football banquet held Friday in The Zone Club at Kyle Field to honor the 2009 Aggie football team and especially the senior class.
The Heart Award is presented to a senior who has completed his eligibility and displays the intangibles such as effort, desire, determination, competitiveness, leadership and courage. The Aggie Heart Award winner is the player who extends himself to the fullest every time he wears his football gear, regardless of the situation, be it in practice or a game. All of the awards, including the Heart Award, are voted upon by the players of the football team with the exception of the newest award, The Coaches' Choice Award.
"Ryan is a great example and a true testament to this award," Aggie Head Coach Mike Sherman said. "In everything Ryan does, he gives his all. He graduated in December. He helped in our community. On the football field, in our locker room and meeting rooms, he was always an encourager. He was not concerned about playing time. He just wanted to help and do his best each and every day, and because of that he contributed a great deal to our team. With that type of attitude, he got better and contributed as a member of the 12th Man Kickoff team and log some time at fullback as well. To be selected by your teammates is the greatest compliment a football player can attain."
The defensive MVP was none other than Von Miller, a junior from DeSoto, who led the country with 17 quarterback sacks last season, the second most in school history behind Jacob Green's record of 20 sacks set in 1979. Miller had 48 tackles, 21 and half of those coming behind the line of scrimmage for losses of 125 yards from his position. He broke up five passes, deflected five others and forced four fumbles. He earned first-team All-America honor from The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated.
The offensive MVP and offensive team captain was the starting quarterback Jerrod Johnson, a junior from Humble, who broke eight Texas A&M single-season passing records including passing yards (3,579) and touchdowns (30) to go along with completions (296) and attempts (497). Johnson was a consensus second-team All-Big 12 selection and had a breakout game on national television against Texas when he completed 26-of-33 passes for 342 yards and a career-high four touchdown passes. He was also the third-leading rusher on the club with a net rushing total of 759 yards and an additional eight touchdowns. He ranked third in the country with 314.2 yards of total offense. His 53 career touchdown passes are already a school record.
The special teams MVP and team captain was sophomore defensive back Lionel Smith from Houston. Smith, from Bellaire High School, was on most every special teams unit and on coverage units was the gunner on many occasions. He recorded 13 special teams tackles and caused a fumble.
The defensive team captain was senior and leader Jordan Pugh, from Plano. Pugh, a safety who was the quarterback of the Aggie defense, was the second-leading tackler with 84 stops and he was the team leader in interceptions with three. He broke up another nine passes and caused one fumble and recovered another.
The defensive service team MVP was Desmond Gardiner, a freshman defensive back from Port Arthur Memorial High School. Gardiner was redshirted last fall but gave great effort in practices in helping prepare the offensive club for the opponent's defensive looks.
The offensive service team MVP was Kalvin Guyton, a freshman from Lamar High School in Houston. Guyton was redshirted last fall and worked hard in practice preparing the Aggie defense with his hard-nosed running and blocking as a running back.
Some spring awards were presented since the banquet is coming toward the end of spring drills. The offensive most improved award goes to sophomore wide receiver Von Miller and junior defensive lineman Lucas Patterson, from King High School in Kingsville.
Aggie quarterback Jerrod Johnson was presented a game ball for his record-setting season and freshman running back Christine Michael, from West Brook High School in Beaumont, was presented a game ball for his record-setting 97-yard touchdown run against Baylor.
2010 AGGIE FOOTBALL BANQUET HONOREES
| Heart Award: |
Ryan O'Bryant, Sr., RB, Houston, TX | |
| Offensive MVP: |
Jerrod Johnson, Jr., QB, Humble, TX | |
| Offensive Captain: | Jerrod Johnson, Jr., QB, Humble, TX | |
| Defensive MVP: | Von Miller, Jr., Jack, DeSoto, TX | |
| Defensive Captain: | Jordan Pugh, Sr., DB, Plano, TX | |
| Special Teams MVP: |
Lionel Smith, So., DB, Houston, TX | |
| Special Teams Captain: | Lionel Smith, So., DB, Houston, TX | |
| 12th Man Captain: | Ryan O'Bryant, Sr., RB, Houston, TX | |
| Defensive Service Team MVP | Desmond Gardiner, Fr., DB, Port Arthur, TX | |
| Offensive Service Team MVP |
Kalvin Guyton, Fr., RB, Houston, TX | |
| Spring Awards | ||
| Offensive Most Improved |
Jeff Fuller, So., WR, McKinney, TX | |
| Defensive Most Improved | Lionel Smith, So., DB, Houston, TX | |
| Special Teams Most Improved |
Blane Cheatham, Fr., DB, Aledo, TX | |
| Academic Effort |
Kenric McNeal, Fr., WR, Spring, T | |
| Weightlifter of the Year (3-way tie) | Von Miller, Jr., Joker, DeSoto, TX | |
| Lucas Patterson, Jr., DL, Kingsville, TX | ||
| Lionel Smith, So., DB, Houston, TX |
