While the biggest honor of the 2006 season comes Saturday night, Buckeyes
were honored for their play during this National Championship season. Troy Smith took home two honors being
named Player of the Year by the Walter Camp Foundation and then having his name
called during the ESPN awards show as he earned the Davey O’Brien Award as the
best quarterback in the country.
While the Maxwell Award found a way to snub Smith (see story) the
quarterback took it like a pro and knows Saturday night will have a different
outcome.
But Smith wasn’t alone as sophomore James Laurinaitis was named the
winner of the Bronko Nagurski Award this week as the nations Defensive Player of
the Year. The Hamel,
Minnesota native didn’t get his name called
on Thursday but has proven his ability since taking over for an injured Bobby Carpenter in last seasons Michigan game. Laurinaitis is the first Buckeye to win
the Nagurski award during its short history.
Smith joins fellow Buckeyes Eddie George and Archie Griffin (2 times) as
Walter Camp winners. The
Glenville High
School product will look to join an elite class of Buckeyes on
Saturday night as the Heisman Memorial Trophy will be awarded in New York.