Texas Tech football edge defender David Bailey and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, both unanimous all-America honorees last season, were named co-winners of the Pete Cawthon Memorial team MVP award on Friday, April 17.
The Red Raiders’ annual team awards were presented at halftime of the spring game at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Defensive tackle Lee Hunter won the Donny Anderson Sportsmanship Award, and tight end Terrance Carter Jr. won the Clint Ramsey Academic Effort Award.
Defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard won the E.J. Holub Double Tough Award, and quarterback Behren Morton won the Dell Morgan Memorial Courage Award. Gill-Howard suffered a season-ending lower-leg injury in the sixth game last year. Morton battled a variety of significant injuries over the course of his five-year career. He still made 36 starts and threw for 8,989 yards and 71 touchdowns.
Linebacker Ben Roberts was recipient of the Dare to Be Great Award, which recognizes dedication to the strength and conditioning program.
“I love the weight room,” Roberts said after the game. “I love the strength staff. Those are some of the closest people on the team to me, just because they’re with me day in, day out, so I enjoy going in there. I enjoy pushing myself. It’s just another opportunity to compete.”
Four players shared the JT King Award for most improved player: Running back Cameron Dickey and center Sheridan Wilson on offense and linebacker John Curry and safety Brenden Jordan on defense. The JT King Award traditionally was presented to the most improved player in spring practice, but Tech coach Joey McGuire broadened it to take the season into account.
The awards named for Morgan, Cawthon and Anderson originated in 1961, 1962 and 1969. The award named for King dates to 1978, the Dare To Be Great Award to 1981 and the E.J. Holub Double Tough Award to 1983. The Clint Ramsey Academic Effort Award was added in 1987.
The award presentations went dormant in 2009 with former coach Mike Leach’s dismissal. Tech coach Joey McGuire reinstated the traditional honors after the 2022 season in the spring of 2023.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: David Bailey, Jacob Rodriguez win Texas Tech football’s Cawthon Award
Reporting by Don Williams, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
