Deacon Football Announces Team Award Winners
12/7/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 7, 2003
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest football program announced the 2003 team award winners at its post-season banquet on Sunday evening at Bridger Field House. Senior offensive lineman Tyson Clabo received the Bill George Award, sophomore running back Chris Barclay received the Outstanding Back Award, and junior cornerback Eric King was named the team's Most Valuable Player for the 2003 campaign.
The Bill George Award is given annually to Wake Forest's standout lineman on either offense or defense in honor of the school's first All-American. George, a defensive tackle for the Deacs from 1948-51, went on to an outstanding professional career, capped by his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. Clabo, from Knoxville, Tenn., was the key cog of the Deacon offensive line this season, seeing action at every position but center. He graded out at a team-best 87 percent for the season, and averaged nine knockdowns a game while helping WFU lead the ACC in rushing for the third straight season. Clabo was also recently named first-team All-ACC and will participate in the East-West Shrine Game in January.
Barclay finished the season as the ACC's rushing leader, collecting 1,192 yards -- the second-best season total in school history. The Louisville, Ky. product was a second-team all-conference selection in 2003 after recording five 100-yard games and scoring 12 touchdowns. His 243 rushing yards versus Maryland in the season finale was the fourth-best single-game rushing performance in school history.
Both the Bill George and Outstanding Back Awards were selected by the Deacon coaching staff. The Bill George Award has been presented every year since 1964, while the Outstanding Back is an award started by head coach Jim Grobe and his staff in 2001.
King, from Woodstock, Md., was named the Deacons' MVP by a vote of his teammates. He is the second straight defensive player to earn the honor, following Calvin Pace's selection a year ago. King, who was also a first-team All-ACC pick, led the league in passes defended this season with 18, including 15 pass break-ups and three interceptions. He also had three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 59 tackles, including 49 solo stops. His 85-yard interception return for a touchdown against Clemson was the second-longest in school history.