Team MVP Schobert leads Badgers’ award winners

Photo by: David Stluka

Team MVP Schobert leads Badgers’ award winners

December 11, 2015 | Football

Wisconsin football team hands out year-end honors at annual banquet

MADISON, Wis. – An anchor of the nation's top-ranked defense, it should come as no surprise that senior OLB Joe Schobert was named the Wisconsin football team's most valuable player as awards were handed out at the Badgers' annual banquet on Friday at Union South.

Schobert, recipient of the Jimmy Demetral Team MVP award, headlined a list of winners that included nine members of the Badgers' senior class. The team MVP distinction is the latest honor for Schobert, a second-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten pick and the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year.

Senior WR Alex Erickson was named the team's Offensive Player of the Year for a season that has seen him pull in 72 catches on his way to first-team All-Big Ten honors. Erickson needs 76 yards to become the fourth player in school history with a 1,000-yard receiving season.

Senior S Michael Caputo took home Defensive Player of the Year honors for his contributions to a defense that ranks No. 1 nationally, allowing 13.1 points per game. Along with 58 tackles, Caputo has tallied a pair of interceptions and broken up six passes.

Sophomore Natrell Jamerson, whose highlight-reel moment came on a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown at Maryland, was named Special Teams Player of the Year.

The Ivan Williamson Scholastic Award, presented annually to the player most exemplary in the areas of scholarship and sportsmanship, went to senior DE Jake Keefer.

Senior WR/S Tanner McEvoy and senior FB Derek Watt earned the Wayne Sousa Coaches Appreciation Award, presented players who contribute to the team's success with attitude and willingness to help the program in all areas.

On defense, the Jay Seiler Coaches Appreciation Award went to senior CB Darius Hillary.

Senior QB Joel Stave, a Greenfield, Wisconsin native, received the Tom Wiesner Award. The distinction is presented annually in honor of Wiesner -- a letterwinner from 1958-60 -- to "Wisconsin-born players whose loyalty, hard work, spirit and dedication are unselfishly directed to the success of the team."

The Badger Power Award, presented to a player who consistently performs at a high level in all aspects of the Badgers' strength and conditioning program, went to senior TE Austin Traylor.

The Most Improved Player awards went to junior RB Dare Ogunbowale on offense and sophomore OLB Jack Cichy and redshirt freshman ILB T.J. Edwards on defense.

Freshman WR Henry Houden was named Offensive Scout Player of the Year for his work on the Badgers' practice squad, with freshman CB Titus Booker earning Defensive Scout Player of the Year honors.

The Badgers also recognized their 27 Academic All-Big Ten honorees and their 12 All-Big Ten selections.

Jimmy Demetral Team MVP
Presented annually to the player most instrumental to the success of the team, as selected by his teammates and coaches.
• Joe Schobert

Offensive Player of the Year
Presented annually to the top player or players on offense, as selected by the coaching staff.
• Alex Erickson

Defensive Player of the Year
Presented annually to the top player or players on defense, as selected by the coaching staff.
• Michael Caputo

Special Teams Player of the Year
Presented annually to the most valuable player on special teams, as selected by the coaching staff.
• Natrell Jamerson

Ivan Williamson Scholastic Award
Presented annually to a player who has been exemplary in the areas of scholarship and sportsmanship.
• Jake Keefer

Most Improved Player
Presented to the players on both offense and defense whose work ethic and dedication led to improvement on the field.
• Dare Ogunbowale (Offense)
• Jack Cichy (Defense)
• T.J. Edwards (Defense)

Scout Team Player of the Year - Offense
Presented annually to the offensive player who excelled on the scout team in preparing the defense for each week's game.
• Henry Houden

Scout Team Player of the Year - Defense
Presented annually to the defensive player(s) who excelled on the scout team in preparing the offense for each week's game.
• Titus Booker

Wayne Souza Coaches Appreciation
Presented annually to the offensive player(s) who has contributed to the team's success to the best of his abilities. It is based upon improvement, attitude and willingness to help the program in all areas. Tanner • Tanner McEvoy
• Derek Watt

Jay Seiler Coaches Appreciation
Presented annually to the defensive player who has contributed to the team's success to the best of his abilities. It is based upon improvement, attitude and willingness to help the program in all areas.
• Darius Hillary

Tom Wiesner Award
Presented annually to a Wisconsin-born student-athlete whose loyalty, hard work, spirit and dedication are unselfishly directed to the success of the team. The award is given in memory of Wiesner, a Wisconsin football letterwinner (1958-60).
• Joel Stave

Badger Power Award
Presented annually to the player that consistently performs at a high level in all aspects of the strength and conditioning program. An individual who has a great work ethic coupled with a positive attitude that garners the respect of teammates, is dependable, buys into the program and shows constant improvement.
• Austin Traylor

Team Captains
• Michael Caputo
• Alex Erickson
• Joel Stave
• Joe Schobert