University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Three Tigers Named to Pre-Season Watch Lists
Jul 16, 2018 | Football
Akins named to Bednarik Watch List while Henderson and Pollard earn spots on the Maxwell Award List.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A trio of Tiger football players were named to pre-season watch lists coordinated by the Maxwell Football Club Monday. Senior Curtis Akins was named to the Bednarik Award Watch List while juniors Darrell Henderson and Tony Pollard were both named to the Maxwell Award Watch List.
This is the 24th annual Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year. Chuck Bednarik was a former student-athlete at Penn and played in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the NFL Hall of Fame.
The Maxwell award has been awarded every year since 1937 to the College Player of the Year. The award is named for Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, a player, sportswriter and official for his contributions to the game.
Akins, who is on the Bednarik Watch List, led Memphis last year with 88 total tackles. In a win over #24 ranked Navy, Akins had 11 tackles and one fumble recovery, helping Memphis to its second win over a top-25 ranked opponent on the season. In the American Athletic Conference Championship game, Akins finished with 12 tackles.
For the season, he added 4.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. The redshirt senior from Byhalia, Mississippi has appeared in 32 career games and has 176 total tackles to his credit.
One of two Tigers on the Maxwell Pre-Season List, Henderson became the first Memphis back since 2009 to post a 1,000-yard rushing season, finishing with 1,154 yards on 130 carries. His 2017 rushing yardage ranks sixth in Memphis single season history, and his 8.9 yards per carry is a Memphis single season record. His nine rushing touchdowns was second on the roster last season, and he added 24 catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Henderson posted seven 100+ yard rushing games, which is fourth in Memphis history behind only DeAngelo Williams. His five consecutive 100+ yard rushing games was the longest streak for any Tiger since the 2005 campaign.
In two seasons at Memphis, Henderson has 1,636 yards rushing, just 334 yards from breaking into the career top 10. He also has 44 catches for 463 yards and five touchdowns. His 226 yards receiving in 2017 ranked fourth on the roster.
Pollard was named a Walter Camp All-American and led the NCAA with 40.0 yards per kick return in 2017. The two-time American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year, Pollard continues to be a multi-threat weapon for the Tigers. Outside of his four kick-off return touchdowns in 2017, Pollard found the endzone six other times. He had 30 rushes for 230 yards and two touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore in 2017 and added 36 catches for 536 yards and four touchdowns. His 536 yards receiving was second only to NCAA Consensus All-American Anthony Miller in the Tigers' 2017 campaign.
Memphis will open its fall camp on Thursday, August 2. The 2018 campaign will include seven home games, starting with the Sept. 1 opener against Mercer. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.GoTigersGoTix.com. Single game road tickets are also on sale now through the same link.
This is the 24th annual Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year. Chuck Bednarik was a former student-athlete at Penn and played in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the NFL Hall of Fame.
The Maxwell award has been awarded every year since 1937 to the College Player of the Year. The award is named for Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, a player, sportswriter and official for his contributions to the game.
Akins, who is on the Bednarik Watch List, led Memphis last year with 88 total tackles. In a win over #24 ranked Navy, Akins had 11 tackles and one fumble recovery, helping Memphis to its second win over a top-25 ranked opponent on the season. In the American Athletic Conference Championship game, Akins finished with 12 tackles.
For the season, he added 4.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. The redshirt senior from Byhalia, Mississippi has appeared in 32 career games and has 176 total tackles to his credit.
One of two Tigers on the Maxwell Pre-Season List, Henderson became the first Memphis back since 2009 to post a 1,000-yard rushing season, finishing with 1,154 yards on 130 carries. His 2017 rushing yardage ranks sixth in Memphis single season history, and his 8.9 yards per carry is a Memphis single season record. His nine rushing touchdowns was second on the roster last season, and he added 24 catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Henderson posted seven 100+ yard rushing games, which is fourth in Memphis history behind only DeAngelo Williams. His five consecutive 100+ yard rushing games was the longest streak for any Tiger since the 2005 campaign.
In two seasons at Memphis, Henderson has 1,636 yards rushing, just 334 yards from breaking into the career top 10. He also has 44 catches for 463 yards and five touchdowns. His 226 yards receiving in 2017 ranked fourth on the roster.
Pollard was named a Walter Camp All-American and led the NCAA with 40.0 yards per kick return in 2017. The two-time American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year, Pollard continues to be a multi-threat weapon for the Tigers. Outside of his four kick-off return touchdowns in 2017, Pollard found the endzone six other times. He had 30 rushes for 230 yards and two touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore in 2017 and added 36 catches for 536 yards and four touchdowns. His 536 yards receiving was second only to NCAA Consensus All-American Anthony Miller in the Tigers' 2017 campaign.
Memphis will open its fall camp on Thursday, August 2. The 2018 campaign will include seven home games, starting with the Sept. 1 opener against Mercer. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.GoTigersGoTix.com. Single game road tickets are also on sale now through the same link.
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