COACH DAVE SCHUMAN AND THE NUC PRESENTS: 2012 NUC High School Players and Coach of the Year complied by Barry Every

COACH DAVE SCHUMAN AND THE NUC PRESENTS: 2012 NUC High School Players and Coach of the Year complied by Barry Every

It's the time of the year to announce the NUC High School Players of the Year. In order to be considered for any awards the player must have attended at least one NUC sponsored event. The prospect must also be considered a major DI prospect.

We have given awards to the regional offensive, defensive, and underclassmen Players of the Year. The NUC is also proud to announce the National Players of the Year along with the Coach of the Year. There were tough decisions to be made but below are the athletes that excelled above all others while making their respective schools better on the football field.

National Players of the Year

Offensive Player of the Year

Mark Dodson, Jr., RB, Whitehaven HS, TN (2013) - Dodson ran for 3,295 yards and 37 touchdowns on 318 carries this past season. His superior effort helped guide his team to a perfect (15-0) and the TSSAA 6A State Championship. He saved his best game for last running for 318 yards and five touchdowns in 36-35 overtime win over defending State Champion Maryville, TN.

Defensive Player of the Year

Deon Hollins, Jr., LB/DE, Ft. Bend Marshall, TX (2013) - Hollins accumulated 76 tackles, 44 TFL's, 23 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. The Buffaloes defense held opponents to seven or less points five times on their way to a (13-1) record and the fourth round of the Texas UIL 4A D2 playoffs. This was the first time since 2007 that Ft. Bend Marshall finished with a better than .500 winning percentage since 2007.

Underclassmen of the Year

Jalen Hurd, RB, Beech, TN (2014) - Hurd carried the ball 317 times for 3,357 yards and 43 scores. He also caught five passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns. The Buccaneers finished the season (15-0) winning the TSSAA 5A State Championship 56-35 over Columbia Central. It was the second State Championship for Beech, TN in the last four years.

Coach of the Year

Rodney Saulsberry, Whitehaven, TN - Coach Saulsberry led Whitehaven, TN to its first ever TSSAA State Championship finishing the season with a perfect (15-0) record. He has been at the helm of Tiger football for nine seasons accumulating a (88-24) record. His defense held opponents to seven or less points in 11 games (five shutouts) this past season. In the State Championship game Whitehaven came from behind to beat Maryville, TN 36-35 in overtime. The victory avenged last season's loss in the State Championship to Maryville.

East Region Players of the Year

Offensive Player of the Year

Ryan Switzer, RB, George Washington, WV (2013) - This all-purpose back carried the ball 192 times for 2,403 yards and 36 scores. Switzer also caught 20 passes for 253 yards and five scores. His superior effort helped Patriots to an (11-3) record while making it to the WVSSAC AAA State Semifinals. He finished off his high school career by catching the winning touchdown in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl.

Defensive Player of the Year

EJ Levenberry, Jr., LB, CD Hylton, VA (2013) - This massive linebacker accumulated 124 total tackles, 29 TFL's, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and one INT on the season. He helped guide his team to the VHSL Class 6 State Semifinals finishing (11-3). The Bulldog defense gave up seven or less points in six games this past season.

Underclassmen of the Year

Quin Blanding, WR/DB, Bayside, VA (2014) - Blanding did it on both sides of the ball for his team. He caught 55 passes for 1,035 yards and six scores. Defensively he recorded 111 tackles and five picks. The Marlin defense held opponents to seven or less points seven times on their way to a (9-3) record.

Midwest Region Players of the Year

Offensive Player of the Year

Laquon Treadwell, WR, Crete-Monee, IL (2013) - Treadwell caught 81 passes for 1, 077 yards and 16 touchdowns. The Warriors finished the season a perfect (14-0). They also captured the Illinois 6A State Title beating Cary-Grove, IL 33-26. 

Tanner Wood, ATH/LB, Conway Springs, KS (2013) - Wood did it on both sides of the ball for the Cardinals. Offensively he carried the ball 256 times for 2,709 yards and 39 scores. Defensively he accumulated 106 tackles and 9.5 sacks in just 11 games. The Cardinals finished the season (9-2).

Underclassmen of the Year

Peyton Newell, DL, Hiawatha, KS (2014) - Newell recorded 61 tackles, 37 TFL's, ten sacks, and two fumble recoveries on the season. His effort helped the Red Hawks finish (8-3) making it to the second round of the KSHSAA 3A playoffs.

Southeast Region Players of the Year

Offensive Player of the Year

Derrick Henry, RB, Yulee, FL (2013) - This gigantic running back carried the ball an amazing 462 times for 4,261 yards and 55 touchdowns. His offensive firepower allowed the Hornets to make it to the FHSAA 4A State Semifinals finishing (9-4). His rushing total for the season broke the 59 year old single season rushing record held by Ken Hall.

Defensive Player of the Year

Ben Boulware, LB, TL Hanna, SC (2013) - This Tasmanian devil recorded an astonishing 174 tackles in just 11 games. He also recorded ten TFL's, two sacks, and two fumble recoveries for the Yellow Jackets. Boulware was named the SC Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas Defensive MVP in 23-19 win over North Carolina. In his four year varsity career at TL Hanna he accumulated 592 tackles.

Co-Underclassmen of the Year

Ty Storey, QB, Charleston, AR (2015) - Storey completed 328 of 563 passes for 4,397 yards and 48 touchdowns versus 11 picks. He also made some noise with his feet rushing for 316 yards and seven scores. Behind his leadership Charleston finished (9-3/6-1) winning the 3A Region 4 League Title.

Trey Quinn, WR, Barbe, LA (2014) - This prolific receiver caught 111 passes for 2,094 yards and 26 touchdowns. His offensive output helped the Buccaneers make the LHSAA 5A State Title game finishing the season (13-3). Barbe also won the 5A District 3 Title finishing (6-0).

Southwest Region Players of the Year

Offensive Player of the Year

Ty Slanina, ATH, East Bernard, TX (2013) - This guy did it all for the Brahmas. He completed 23 of 45 passes for 541 yards with eight touchdown passes while also rushing for 1,221 yards and 24 scores. Slanina had 13 catches for 288 yards and five scores while picking off three passes for East Bernard. His effort helped East Bernard capture the Texas UIL 2A D2 State Title and a perfect (15-0) record.

Defensive Players of the Year

Derick Roberson, DL, Brennan, TX (2014) - Roberson recorded 88 tackles, 33 TFL's, 12 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery on the season. The Bears defense gave up seven or less points seven times this past season. They finished the season (13-1) making it to the Texas UIL 4A D2 quarterfinals.

Co-Underclassmen of the Year

Deondre Clark, DL, Douglass, OK (2014) - Clark recorded 99 tackles and 22 sacks on the season. He also had 20 quarterback hurries in just 11 games. The Trojans defense gave up seven or less points five times on their way to a (7-4) record.

Justice Hansen, QB, Santa Fe, OK (2014) - Hansen completed 185 of 318 passes for 3,079 yards and 36 touchdowns versus just nine picks. He also ran for 733 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Wolves finished (10-2/7-0) averaging nearly 43 points per contest.

West Region Players of the Year

Offensive Player of the Year

Terrell Newby, II, RB, Chaminade, CA (2013) - Newby carried the ball 301 times for 2,305 yards and 45 touchdowns. He also caught 18 passes for 176 yards. His effort guided the Eagles to a (12-2) record and a place in the CIF-Southern Section Western Championship game. Chaminade averaged an amazing 47.4 points per game on the year.

Defensive Player of the Year

Su'a Cravens, LB, Vista Murrieta, CA (2013) - Cravens excelled on both sides of the ball for the Broncos. He had 84 tackles, four sacks, three picks, and two blocked kicks. Offensively he caught 20 passes for 325 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 168 yards and five scores. His effort helped guide Vista Murrieta to a (13-1) record and a place in the CIF Southern Section Inland Championship game.

Underclassmen of the Year

Jalen Brown, WR, Mountain Pointe, AZ (2014) - Brown caught 68 passes for 1,235 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also had 12 PBU's and five picks on defense. His superior effort helped guide the Pride to (12-2) record and a place in the Arizona DI State Championship game. The 12 wins doubled the previous year's output.