Auburn Defensive End Cory Lemonier is racking up preseason honors almost like he does quarterback sacks. Already named to the preseason All-SEC list and two top player watch list, he was put on the Ted Hendricks Award list on Monday.
Hendricks played college ball at Miami and was the first three time - First Team All-American defensive end. He played in 215 consecutive games in a 15 year NFL career that included four Super Bowls and eight Pro Bowl selections.
Although the award considers leadership abilities, contributions to school and community and academic preparedness; the player chosen must also mirror Hendricks' determination, aggressive style of play, and winning attitude. Those are traits that Cory Lemonier has in abundance.
The Auburn Defensive End was a First Team All-SEC player in 2011. He had 47 tackles for the season; 131/2 of them knocked opponents back 79 yards. Nine-and-a-half of those tackles for a loss were sacks.
So far this preseason, Cory has been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, which goes to the nation's top defensive player, the Lombardi Trophy Award List, which goes to the nation's top college lineman or linebacker, and he has been named by the league coaches to the preseason All-SEC First Team.
Yes the preseason expectations for Cory Lemonier are high - and he will not disappoint. The 6' 250 lb. junior will be a leader and a force to be reckoned with in Brian Van Gorder's aggressive style defense in 2012.