Middleton named to Hendricks Watch List

From Indiana University media relations:

MIDDLETON NAMED TO TED HENDRICKS WATCH LIST

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana defensive end Greg Middleton joined teammate Jammie Kirlew on the Watch List for the 2009 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award, the Ted Hendricks Foundation announced Thursday. Middleton, one of eight finalists for the honor in 2007, is one of 30 preseason candidates.

Now in its eighth season, the Ted Hendricks Award is named in honor of college football's first three-time first team All-American. As a defensive end at the University of Miami, Ted used his agility, height and reach to block passes and kicks, force interceptions and pressure quarterbacks and running backs. He roamed the front line, read plays and blitzed on impulse, completely transforming the way the defensive end position was played.

His professional career spanned 15 years and 215 consecutive games. It included four Super Bowl victories, eight Pro Bowl selections and inductions into the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. It is in the spirit of Ted Hendricks' aggressive style of play, winning attitude and determination that the Defensive End of the Year Award for college football's premier defensive end is presented.

Middleton ranks fourth in school history with 20 career sacks. He ended 2008 third on the team with four sacks and fifth with five tackles for loss. Middleton also shared the team lead with two fumble recoveries (tied for third in league games only and fifth overall), forced one fumble and broke up one pass.

In 2007, he became the first IU defensive lineman since Adewale Ogunleye in 1997 to earn first team All-Big Ten honors. He set a new single-season school record with 16 sacks, which also led the nation.

Along with Kirlew, the duo owns 36.5 career sacks between them, the highest total for a tandem in the country.

On-field performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities, contributions to school and community and academic preparedness are some of the criteria used to determine the award's winner. Members of the national media, head coaches, professional scouts and former winners are included in the award's voting committee.

Candidates may represent any class (freshman through senior) as well as any four-year NCAA accredited school. The candidate's primary position must be defensive end.

Previous recipients of the Hendricks Award include: Terrell Suggs (Arizona State), David Pollack (Georgia), Elvis Dumervil (Louisville), LaMarr Woodley (Michigan), Chris Long (Virginia) and Brian Orakpo (Texas).