Campbell Named to Hendricks Watch List

For the second straight season, Kansas State’s Ian Campbell is listed among the top defensive ends in the nation as the junior is among 27 players named to the 2007 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award Watch List, the Ted Hendricks Foundation announced Monday.

Campbell, a 2006 semi-finalist for the award and one of just three Big 12 ends on the list, is coming off an incredible sophomore campaign and is one of just four returning players nationally to record at least 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for losses in 2006.

Last season, Campbell was among the nation’s top pass rushers and earned All-Big 12 and All-American honors after totaling 67 tackles, 17.5 for losses, with 11.5 sacks. His 11.5 sacks tied the Kansas State single-season record and ranked second in the Big 12 Conference and 10th nationally. Campbell collected at least one sack in nine of 13 total games last season.

The 2006 Houston Chronicle Defensive Player of the Year, Campbell was the league’s leading tackler among defensive linemen, led the Big 12 in tackles for losses and ranked third in the league in fumble recoveries during league play with three.

The Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award is named in honor of college football’s first three-time first team All American. It is in the spirit of Ted Hendricks’ aggressive style of play, winning attitude and determination that the Defensive End of the Year Award for college football’s premier defensive end is presented. On field performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities and contributions to school and community and academic preparedness are some of the criteria used to determine the award’s winner.
The honor marks the third time this month that Campbell has been named to a preseason watch list. He is also a candidate for the Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski Awards.
Campbell and Kansas State open the 2007 season with a nationally-televised game at Auburn on Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 6:45 p.m. CDT at Jordan-Hare Stadium.