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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Honors Handed Out As Part of Grove Bowl Festivities
4/17/2010 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. -- The Ole Miss Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, along with various football support groups, honored several members of the 2009 and 2010 Rebel squads here Saturday during Grove Bowl activities.
Athletes who received the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award included offensive lineman Michael Brown of Lexington, Tex., punter Tyler Campbell of Little Rock, Ark., linebacker Joel Kight of Lithonia, Ga., and linebacker D.T. Shackelford of Decatur, Ala.
The Scholar-Athlete Award recognizes incoming freshmen athletes who compiled outstanding records both in the classroom and on the athletic field during their high school careers. Campbell, Kight and Shackelford all lettered last year as true freshman season, while Brown was redshirted.
Junior offensive tackle Bradley Sowell of Hernando, Miss., received the Jeff Hamm Memorial Award for being named the most improved offensive player of the 2010 spring football drills, and senior defensive lineman Ted Laurent of Powder Springs, Ga., picked up the honor as the most improved defensive player of spring workouts. The award honors the late Jeff Hamm, who served 40 years with the University of Mississippi in various capacities, including the final 20 years as Business Manager of Athletics.
The J. Richard Price Courage and Compassion Award went to rising senior defensive lineman Jerrell Powe of Waynesboro, Miss. The award, which includes a scholarship to Ole Miss in the name of Jerrell Powe, honors Richard Price, who was a three-year starter and an offensive and defensive standout on three of the greatest Rebel teams (1958-59-60).
Also recognized was senior defensive end Kentrell Lockett of Hahnville, La., who received the Chucky Mullins Courage Award last Thursday night. Lockett is the 21st winner of the prestigious award which honors the memory of Mullins, who was paralyzed after making a tackle against Vanderbilt during the 1989 Homecoming game, and then passed away on May 6, 1991.
Running back-wide receiver Dexter McCluster of Largo, Fla., was honored with the 2009 Leadership Award from the Birmingham Alumni Club as well as with the National Running Back Trophy from the College Football Performance Award. Offensive lineman John Jerry of Batesville, Miss., received the 2009 Most Dedicated Player Award from the Ole Miss Alumni Association and offensive lineman Reid Neely of Jackson, Miss., received the 2009 Clower-Walters Award.
Jerry and McCluster were also presented with their 2009 first team All-America certificates by the All-American Football Foundation, and quarterback Jevan Snead of Stephenville, Texas, received the Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik Leadership-Scholarship Award, along with a $500 check in the name of Jevan Snead to the University of Mississippi general scholarship fund.Defensive back Marshay Green of Bastrop, La., received the John Howard Vaught Award of Excellence for the 2009 campaign, an award which recognizes a senior athlete who exemplifies the qualities of dedication, scholastic ability, morale and performance. The award honors the late Vaught, whose Ole Miss teams won 190 games over 25 seasons as the Rebels captured six Southeastern Conference titles and a share of three national championships.
Earlier in the day, McCluster headlined a group of former players that were celebrated on the Grove stage with a special program, hosted by CBS Sports' Tim Brando. The panel discussion, called "Path to the Draft: Ole Miss to the NFL," honored McCluster and examined the career paths of Chris Spencer, Charlie Anderson, Jesse Mitchell and Jason Cook.
