Hart Named Bo Schembechler Most Valuable Player of 2007
11/26/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan senior tailback and co-captain Mike Hart(Syracuse, N.Y./Onondaga Central HS) was named the 2007 BO SCHEMBECHLER MOST VALUABLE PLAYER of the 2007 football team in a vote of his teammates and received the award at the 87th annual U-M Football Bust tonight (Monday, Nov. 26) at Laurel Manor. Hart shared the award with linebacker David Harris last season. The Wolverines handed out 18 individual awards, and the fourth- and fifth-year seniors received their coveted 'M' rings.
Hart, the nation's fifth-leading rusher, carried the ball 233 times for 1,232 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. He surpassed the 100-yard barrier in the first eight games of the season, setting a U-M record, and added seven catches for 43 yards. Hart is a finalist for the Doak Walker Award for the second straight season and earned All-Big Ten second team honors this season after collecting first-team accolades in 2004 and 2006.
Hart is the 10th consecutive offensive player and the 12th offensive performer in coach Lloyd Carr's career to earn MVP honors. Hart joins Chris Perry (2003), B.J. Askew (2002), Anthony Thomas (2000) and Tshimanga Biakabutuka (1995) as the running backs to collect the team's most valuable player honor under Carr.
Senior quarterback Chad Henne(Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson HS) was named the recipient of the DAVID BRANDON LEADERSHIP AWARD. The award is named after David Brandon, a former defensive end for the Wolverines, Regent Emeritus of the University and current President and CEO of Domino's Pizza. An All-Big Ten first team selection, Henne completed 137-of-239 passes (57.3 pct.) for 1,565 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions in nine games this season.
Fifth-year senior left tackle and co-captain Jake Long(Lapeer, Mich./Lapeer East HS) collected a pair of honors, receiving the HUGH R. RADER JR. MEMORIAL AWARD as the team's top offensive lineman and the MIKE GITTLESON AWARD as the individual who exhibits a resolute work ethic and commitment to preparing for the game. Long is a two-time recipient of the Rader Award. He started all 13 games at left tackle this season and is a finalist for both the Rotary Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. Long is a two-time All-Big Ten first team selection and a two-time Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Fifth-year senior left guard and center Adam Kraus(New Orleans, La./Brother Martin HS) was named the recipient of the ROBERT P. UFER BEQUEST, given to the senior football player who shows the most enthusiasm and love for Michigan. He also received the PAUL SCHMIDT AWARD, given in honor of the Wolverines' athletic trainer to the player who displays an unshakable courage and love for the game. A two-time All-Big Ten first team selection, Kraus started all 13 games along the offensive line, the first eight games at left guard and the final four regular-season contests at center.
The team's other double award winner was fifth-year senior safety Brandent Englemon(Covington, Ky./Holmes HS). He earned the DR. ARTHUR D. ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD as the top student-athlete on the football team and received the CHARLES WOODSON AWARD as the team's top defensive back. Englemon started the final 11 games of the regular season, tallying a career-best 80 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions and six pass breakups.
Both of the Wolverines' starting wide receivers earned team awards this season. Senior flanker Adrian Arrington(Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington HS) collected the DESMOND HOWARD AWARD as the team's top wide receiver, and junior split end Mario Manningham(Warren, Ohio/Warren G. Harding HS) received the GARY MOELLER OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE CONTRIBUTION. Manningham led the team with career highs in receptions (67), receiving yards (1,096) and receiving touchdowns (11) and had an NCAA-leading six straight 100-yard receiving games. Arrington corralled a career-best 58 catches for 729 and six touchdowns.
The JIM BRANDSTATTER/FRANK BECKMANN COACHES AWARD, voted upon by the Michigan coaching staff and presented to the senior that best demonstrates passion, dedication and commitment to the team, was awarded to senior safety Jamar Adams(Charlotte, N.C./Butler HS). Adams led the secondary with career highs in tackles (83) and pass breakups (13) and tied for top honors with three interceptions.
Senior linebacker Chris Graham(Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central HS) was awarded the ROGER ZATKOFF AWARD as the team's top linebacker after finishing second on the team during the regular season with a career-high 83 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack and two forced fumbles. An All-Big Ten honorable mention selection, Graham was the only player on the team to record five or more tackles in every game.
Senior defensive tackle Will Johnson(Oakland, Mich./Lake Orion HS) received the RICHARD KATCHER AWARD as the team's top defensive lineman. Johnson set career highs with 38 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and half a sack this season.
The final defensive award, the OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE CONTRIBUTION, was shared by fifth-year year senior linebacker and co-captain Shawn Crable(Massillon, Ohio/Washington HS) and senior cornerback Morgan Trent(San Diego, Calif./Orchard Lake St. Mary's HS [Mich.]). Crable paced the defense with a career-best 84 tackles and a U-M season record 26.5 tackles for loss, the second-best TFL mark in the country this season. He also registered 7.5 sacks and forced four fumbles. Trent tallied 39 stops, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, nine pass breakups and one fumble recovery this season.
Fifth-year senior safety Anton Campbell(O'Fallon, Mo./Fort Zumwalt West HS) was named the SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR. Campbell, who plays on virtually every special teams squad, registered five of his 10 tackles on special teams this season. He has tallied 21 of his 32 career stops on special teams.
Junior punter Zoltan Mesko(Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg HS) received the DEREK HOWARD AWARD as the top hustler on the Wolverine squad. Mesko punted 68 times for 2,787 yards (41.0 avg.) this season, with 22 boots downed inside the opposition's 20-yard line. He had 10 punts better than 50 yards this year, including a 68-yard career long against Ohio State.
Fifth-year senior linebacker Max Pollock(Takoma Park, Md./Montgomery Blair HS) was presented with the JON FALK AWARD, named in honor of U-M's equipment manager, as the player that demonstrates devotion and loyalty to the team. Pollock played in 11 games, registering three tackles, but contributed to the key third-down stop at Michigan State that led to the game-winning drive. Pollock was a key contributor on special teams and played on short yardage defense.
Senior offensive lineman Grant DeBenedictis(Boca Raton, Fla./St. Andrews HS) was selected as the BEN HUFF CHAMPION OF THE YEAR as the player that provides leadership, focus and spirit to the demonstration squad. The award is named in memory of Ben Huff, a former Wolverine defensive lineman who was a member of the 1997 national championship team.
Following are the 2007 team award winners:
Ben Huff Champion of the Year: Grant DeBenedictis
Brandstatter-Beckmann Coaches Award: Jamar Adams
Jon Falk Award: Max Pollock
Paul Schmidt Award: Adam Kraus
Mike Gittleson Award: Jake Long
Dr. Arthur D. Robinson Scholarship Award: Brandent Englemon
Hugh R. Rader Memorial Award: Jake Long
Roger Zatkoff Award: Chris Graham
Robert P. Ufer Bequest: Adam Kraus
Richard Katcher Award: Will Johnson
Derek Howard Hustler Award: Zoltan Mesko
Special Teams Player of the Year: Anton Campbell
Charles Woodson Defensive Back Award: Brandent Englemon
Desmond Howard Wide Receiver Award: Adrian Arrington
Gary Moeller Outstanding Offensive Contribution: Mario Manningham
Outstanding Defensive Contribution: Shawn Crable, Morgan Trent
David Brandon Leadership Award: Chad Henne
Glenn E. "Bo" Schembechler Most Valuable Player: Mike Hart
Media Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423
