Senior tight end Marcedes Lewis finished his season in prime
fashion on Tuesday, being named the winner of the John Mackey
Award, annually given to the nation’s top tight end. Lewis
led the nation’s tight ends in receptions and touchdowns this
season, helping UCLA compile a 9-2 record and a trip to the Sun
Bowl on Dec. 30. Lewis, who finished the season with 58 receptions
and 10 touchdowns, edged past finalists Vernon Davis of Maryland
and Anthony Fasano of Notre Dame for the award. “I knew the
hard work I had put in, and this year I wanted to show it,”
Lewis said. “It’s important to me that I finish my
career as one of the best in UCLA history, and one of the best
tight ends to ever come out of the Pac-10.” Lewis started his
career at UCLA as the No. 1 tight end recruit in the nation and had
extremely high expectations. For his first three years, those
expectations hadn’t been realized ““ the Bruins suffered
through mediocre seasons, and Lewis combined for a total of 11
touchdowns. This season, Lewis finally put those disappointments in
the past, becoming quarterback Drew Olson’s No. 1 target and
three times going over the 100-yard mark in receiving.
“I’ve been ready to take that leadership role for a
couple of years,” Lewis said. “This year, I finally
made an effort to take control of that.” Lewis and the Bruins
had a disappointing finish to their regular season last Saturday,
losing to USC, but Lewis will have a lot to look forward to: He is
expected to be a first-round draft pick in April’s NFL Draft.
OLSON NOMINATED FOR AWARD: Quarterback Drew Olson was named one of
five finalists Wednesday for the Manning Award, annually given to
the nation’s top quarterback. The award is given out by the
Sugar Bowl Committee in honor of the college football
accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. The other four
finalists for the award were Vince Young (Texas), Matt Leinart
(USC), Brady Quinn (Notre Dame) and D.J. Shockley (Georgia).
“Each of these student-athletes also provide today’s
aspiring youth with a road map for their own success,” said
Sugar Bowl Executive Director Paul Hoolahan.
BRUINS RETURN: The Bruins will return to practice on Dec. 17 in
preparation for their game against Northwestern. The Bruins will be
departing for El Paso on Christmas, and will practice there on Dec.
26, 27 and 28.
EXTRA POINTS: The three finalists for the Heisman Trophy were
named Wednesday: Reggie Bush (USC), Vince Young (Texas) and Matt
Leinart (USC). Excluded were UCLA’s Olson and Notre
Dame’s Quinn. … Since the Pac-10 couldn’t fill all
its bowl spots, Georgia Tech had to take the Pac-10 traditional
spot in the San Francisco Emerald Bowl.