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After yet another competitive year for collegiate defensive ends, the Ted Hendricks Foundation is proud to announce the winner of the 2008 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award. For the second year in a row, 25 players received votes in this year’s preliminary round of voting, just three short of the record number set in 2006. We would like to congratulate all of our candidates for their terrific performances this season. Brian Orakpo of the University of Texas is this year’s winner. Orakpo claimed more than 65% of the final-round votes. The five other finalists included Everette Brown from Florida State, Jerry Hughes from TCU, Jammie Kirlew from Indiana, Aaron Maybin from Penn State and Oregon’s Nick Reed. This has already been an unforgettable week for Orakpo. The Youth and Community Studies major received his undergraduate diploma on Saturday. Then on Sunday, he traveled to Charlotte, NC, where he accepted the Bronko Nagurski Award, which honors the nation’s top all-around defensive player. 
Orakpo’s other football accolades this season include:- First-Team All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association - Associated Press Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year - Finalist for the Lott and Lombardi Awards - All Big 12 – First Team Defense At Texas, Orakpo has grown from a lanky 6’4” 210 lb freshman to an overpowering 253 lb nightmare for quarterbacks. His career totals include 21 sacks, 130 total tackles, 37 tackles-for-loss and 59 QB hurries. In the Longhorns’ four games this season versus teams ranked in the top 11 nationally, Orakpo dominated opposing linemen, recording 16 tackles, three sacks, seven tackles-for-loss and nine pressures. 
Prior to his Longhorn career, Orakpo was a two-sport athlete and Honor Roll student at Lamar High School in Houston. His football team posted a 29-8 record over Orakpo’s three seasons. He finished his athletic career with All-District honors in both football and basketball.In announcing the 2008 winner, Ted Hendricks had the following to say: "My congratulations to Brian Orakpo, our 2008 award winner. He is an impressive example of today’s student-athlete. His sense of community and scholarship have proven to be an excellent balance to his development as a standout on the football field. He spent a lot of time in opposing team's backfields creating tackles for loss, sacks and general mayhem. He is a splendid addition to the other winners of the award.” Formal presentation of the 2008 Ted Hendricks Award trophy will take place in March at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa (specific date to be determined). The Ted Hendricks Foundation would like to again thank our selection committee for their continued interest and support. We are looking forward to your participation again next year! Photos courtesy University of Texas Photography
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