Georgia Tech's Derrick Morgan Named ACC Defensive Player of the Year
Morgan leads the conference and is sixth nationally in sacks with 12.5.
Derrick Morgan received 21 of 40 votes cast.

Derrick Morgan received 21 of 40 votes cast.

Dec. 2, 2009

 

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Georgia Tech junior Derrick Morgan, one of seven finalists nationwide for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award, is the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year for 2009 in voting by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.

Morgan, a 6-foot-4, 272-pounder from Coatesville, Pa., received 21 of 40 votes cast. North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn and Clemson safety DeAndre McDaniel tied for second with seven votes.

Morgan leads the conference and is sixth nationally in sacks with 12.5. The total is the highest by a Yellow Jacket in nine years and is 2.5 short of the school record, held since 1985 by Pat Swilling.

Morgan’s achievements have earned him notice from the Hendricks Award’s selection committee. The citation is named for the former University of Miami star, and the list of this year’s finalists includes Jerry Hughes of TCU and Sergio Kindle of Texas. The Horned Frogs and Longhorns are expected to participate in BCS bowls, and the Jackets will join them if they defeat Clemson in Saturday’s ACC championship game in Tampa, Fla.

When the teams played in the regular season, Morgan was at his best. He sacked Tiger quarterback Kyle Parker three times as Tech earned a compelling 30-27 victory.

On the year, Morgan has also recovered two fumbles.

The Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association is an organization of professional journalists that strives to foster mutually beneficial relationships between the media, the ACC’s administration and the conference’s 12 member institutions. The group casts the official, conference-recognized voting for individual honors in football and men’s basketball. It also selects the league’s outstanding male and female athlete regardless of sport; honors a coach, athlete or administrator for distinctive courage and spirit; and pays tribute to outstanding reporting by or service to the media of the ACC region.

2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year Voting

Derrick Morgan, de, Georgia Tech (21)
Robert Quinn, de, North Carolina (7)
DeAndre McDaniel, s, Clemson (7)
Cody Grimm, olb, Virginia Tech (3) 
Nate Collins, dt, Virginia (1)
Quan Sturdivant, lb, North Carolina (1)