Herbig earns Team MVP honors

Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Nick Herbig (19) celebrates after sacking Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Spencer Petras (7) during an NCAA college football game, Sat., Nov. 12, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes won 24-10. (Photo by David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications)

December 09, 2022 | Football

Team awards handed out at end of the year banquet

MADISON, Wis. — Headlined by junior outside linebacker Nick Herbig, who earned Jimmy Demetral Team MVP honors, the Wisconsin football program handed out a number of awards at its annual team banquet Friday at Union South.

A consensus first-team All-Big Ten honoree, Herbig was also named a Walter Camp second-team All-American. Herbig finished the regular season as the Big Ten sack leader, totaling 11.0 quarterback takedowns. He posted his best performance of the season on the road at Iowa, tallying eight tackles, 3.0 sacks and forcing a fumble.

AP second-team All-Big Ten honoree Keeanu Benton reeled in defensive player of the year recognition for the Badgers while wide receiver Chimere Dike was awarded offensive player of the year honors. Benton assembled his best season as a Badger in 2022, recording 36 tackles, 10.0 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. Dike emerged as the primary threat through the air for the Badger offense this fall, totaling six receiving touchdowns. Dike had a career day in UW's win over Northwestern, totaling three scores on 10 catches for 185 yards.

In addition to the team award winners and All-Big Ten honorees, Wisconsin set a new school record with 51 Academic All-Big Ten selections also being recognized.
See below for a complete list of the team award winners:

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

Offensive Player of the Year
Presented annually to the top player on offense, as selected by the coaching staff
• Chimere Dike

Defensive Player of the Year
Presented annually to the top player on defense, as selected by the coaching staff
• Keeanu Benton

Special Teams Player of the Year
Presented annually to the most valuable player on special teams, as selected by the coaching staff
• Nate Van Zelst

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

Rookie of the Year
Presented to the player who, in his debut season, made a major impact on the success of the team
• Skyler Bell and Ricardo Hallman

Wayne Souza Offensive Impact Award
Presented annually to the offensive player who has contributed to the team's success to the best of their abilities. It is based upon improvement, attitude and willingness to help the program in all areas.
• Braelon Allen and Joe Tippmann

Jay Seiler Defensive Impact Award
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.
• John Torchio

Special Teams Impact Player of the Year
Presented to the players whose contributes made significant impacts on the success of the special teams units
• Kamo'i Latu

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).
• Brady Schipper

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.
• Travian Blaylock

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.
• Max Metropulos