A day after nine UCLA football players earned all-conference recognition, two more Bruins were named finalists for national awards Wednesday.
Redshirt senior inside linebacker Eric Kendricks, who was passed over for the All-Pac-12 first team, was named as one of four finalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. Kendricks’ 11.6 total tackles per game ranks fifth in the nation and his eight solo tackles per game lead the nation.
The other three finalists announced were Washington linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha, Alabama safety Landon Collins and Duke linebacker David Helton. Former UCLA outside linebacker Anthony Barr won the trophy last season.
After being named to the All-Pac-12 second team, redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley was named one of 11 finalists for the Manning Award, given to the nation’s top quarterback.
Hundley’s .702 completion percentage was the fourth highest in the nation, his 155.4 passer efficiency rating ranked 10th nationally and set the UCLA record for career touchdowns and total offense this season.
Other quarterbacks joining Hundley as finalists are Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett, Texas Christian University’s Trevone Boykin, Marshall’s Rakeem Cato, Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson, USC’s Cody Kessler, Baylor’s Bryce Petty, Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott, Alabama’s Blake Sims and Florida State’s Jameis Winston.
Compiled by Kevin Bowman, Bruin Sports senior staff.
just interesting that a player not getting first team recognition in his own league is a finalist for a national award. Wonder what the people doing the selection were thinking.