Taylor takes MVP honors at Badgers’ team banquet
December 07, 2018 | Football
Doak Walker Award winner becomes third sophomore to be named team MVP at Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. — Sophomore Jonathan Taylor was named the Jimmy Demetral Team MVP on Friday, headlining the awards handed out during the Wisconsin football team's annual banquet at Union South.
Taylor, who on Thursday became UW's fourth winner of the Doak Walker Award as the nation's premier running back, leads the nation with 1,989 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. He also was named Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year and is a first-team All-America selection by Walter Camp.
Taylor is just the third sophomore in school history to receive the Jimmy Demetral Team MVP award, which has been handed out since 1926. He joins tackle Clarence Esser (1944) and center Robert "Red" Wilson (1947) in that fraternity.
Senior offensive linemen Beau Benzschawel and Micheal Deiter, who joined Taylor on the Walter Camp All-America team, shared Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Defensive Player of the Year went to senior inside linebackers Ryan Connelly and, for the second straight season, T.J. Edwards.
Junior Chris Orr was named Special Teams player of the Year.
Here is the list of award winners from Friday's banquet, which also recognized the Badgers' 37 Academic All-Big Ten selections and 11 players that earned All-Big Ten honors:
Jimmy Demetral Team MVP
Presented annually to the player most instrumental to the success of the team, as selected by his teammates and coaches.
Offensive Players of the Year
Presented annually to the top player on offense, as selected by the coaching staff.
Defensive Players of the Year
Presented annually to the top player on defense, as selected by the coaching staff.
Special Teams Player of the Year
Presented annually to the most valuable player on special teams, as selected by the coaching staff.
Ivan Williamson Scholastic Award
Presented annually to a player who has been exemplary in the areas of scholarship and sportsmanship.
Impact Players
- Alec Ingold (Offense)
- Andrew Van Ginkel (Defense)
- Rafael Gaglianone (Special Teams)
Rookie of the Year - Offense
Presented to the player who, in his debut season, made a major impact on the success of the offense.
Rookie of the Year - Defense
Presented to the player who, in his debut season, made a major impact on the success of the defense.
Wayne Souza Coaches Appreciation
Presented annually to the offensive 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.
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.
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).
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.
Comeback Player of the Year Award
Presented to the player who overcame injury or other obstacles to play a key role in the team's success.
Otis Green Manager Award
Presented annually to a student manager whose leadership, dedication and work ethic led to the success of the football program. The award is given in memory of former team manager Kevin "Otis" Green.
- Isaac Kysely
