The two finalists--one from each school--with the highest number of votes will be recipients of the Walter Payton Achievement Award. Winners will be announced Sept. 1.
GRAMBLING STATE NOMINEES
STEPHEN TRIPP, a reserve linebacker who transferred from the Naval Academy last year, is in his second season as a Tiger. The 5’11’’ native of Tampa, Fla., played in four games in 2008 and recorded two tackles. Tripp is a Marketing major (3.80 G.P.A.).
What Coach Rod Broadway says: “You love having Stephen on your team because he does everything you ask. He’s a good person and a good student who’s going to leave here with a degree. He is one of those people who will be very successful in life.”
GABRIEL FLEMING worked his way onto the two-man depth chart the old-fashioned way: He earned it. After a strong season in ’08—where the Louisiana native recorded 10 tackles and a pass break-up—the 6’3’’ Drafting Design Technology major (3.13 G.P.A.) looks to be one of the anchors on D.
What Coach Rod Broadway says: “Gabe is a great student who has gotten better and better and better. We’re expecting big things from him this season."
Expect to see more of VAN PHILLIPS in 2009. The 6’2’’ Irondale, Ala., native (who had 10 receptions for 161 yards as a freshman) received the Scholar-Athlete Award for his overall 3.27 G.P.A. The Criminal Justice major who was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta National Freshman Honor Society and the Criminal Justice Honor Society, is slated to be a major part of the offense.
What Coach Rod Broadway says: “Van is a great student who has grown tremendously in the last year. We’re expecting great things from him because he’s a gifted athlete with size and speed.”
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY NOMINEES
Defensive lineman ZACHARY MIDDLETON, a junior from Orangeburg, S.C., was a top reserve fullback in 2008 before shifting to defense. MIDDLETON is the first football player who’s also the president of the Student Government Association. MIDDLETON will be playing his second season with the Bulldogs after transferring from the U.S. Naval Academy. An excellent student, MIDDLETON is a Business Management major, with a 3.4 G.P.A.
What Coach “Buddy” Pough says: “A consummate professional and the most dependable and reliable football player I’ve been around during my career."
Linebacker MARSHALL McFADDEN, a 6’2’’, 230-pound senior from Lamar, S.C., has been one of the most productive players in the MEAC. In 2008, he was second in tackles for the S.C. State defense (with 88, 51 unassisted). A longtime starter and Physical Education major, McFADDEN has earned either preseason or postseason MEAC honors each of his previous three campaigns and has been the recipient of MEAC Player of the Week honor several times.
What Coach “Buddy” Pough says: "Talks all the time, but can back it up … you may see him at the next level."
As one of the anchors of the defense line, senior D-lineman OTIS (Matt) KEY is expected to start at defensive tackle. In 2008, he started six of 13 games and was the third-leading down lineman in tackles for the Bulldogs (with 33, 20 unassisted). The Johnston, S.C., native (who attended Strom Thurmond High School) majors in Family and Consumer Science Business.
What Coach “Buddy” Pough says: "Says little, but does everything for us on defense. One of the hardest workers you will find, on and off the field."
