BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State senior
Tee Sims has made the final watch list for the 2017 Hendricks Award, which goes to the nation's top defensive end.
Sims' 9.5 sacks this season rank seventh nationally and second in the Sun Belt Conference. His sacks have caused quarterbacks to lose 78 yards, a total that led the country going into App State's open week. The Mountaineers (6-4, 5-1) play at Georgia State on Saturday.
Sims also has 41 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble this year. He has 16.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss through 22 games over the last two seasons.
The award is named for former Miami defender Ted Hendricks, the first three-time All-American. The four to six players with the most votes will appear on the final ballot, and a winner will be revealed Dec. 6.
Sims is one of two Sun Belt players among 27 overall on the final watch list.
Past winners:
2002 - Terrell Suggs (Arizona State)
2003 - David Pollack (Georgia)
2004 – David Pollack (Georgia)
2005 - Elvis Dumervil (Louisville)
2006 - LaMarr Woodley (Michigan)
2007 - Chris Long (Virginia)
2008 - Brian Orakpo (Texas)
2009 - Jerry Hughes (TCU)
2010 – Da'Quan Bowers (Clemson)
2011 – Whitney Mercilus (Iliinois)
2012 – Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina)
2013 – Jackson Jeffcoat (Texas)
2014 – Nate Orchard (Utah)
2015 – Carl Nassib (Penn State)
2016 – Jonathan Allen (Alabama)
