Awards Notebook: Dez Bryant, Duke Robinson named Walter Camp All-Americans

Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant didn’t win the Biletnikoff, nor did Oklahoma guard Duke Robinson win the Outland.

But both national award finalists were named to the Walter Camp All-American team, announced Thursday night during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards show at Disney’s Boardwalk in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy was the Walter Camp Player of the Year.

Texas Tech coach Mike Leach attended the College Football Awards to support Biletnikoff winner Michael Crabtree and Davey O’Brien finalist Graham Harrell.

Wednesday, Leach ripped the Heisman for not naming Harrell a finalist, even though Harrell will likely finish in the top five in the final voting.

Thursday, Leach saw Harrell for the first time since making that statement.

"I got ‘em all stirred up,” Leach told Harrell with a smile.

In addition to winning the Maxwell Award for the second straight year, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow won the Disney’s Wide World of Sports Spirit Award, which goes to the player with the most inspirational story.

Tebow spent last summer on a mission trip in the Philippines.

"I thought (the Spirit Award) was really cool,” Tebow said. "It means a lot, more than winning the Heisman and other awards because it’s for what I’ve done off the field.”

All of the national award trophies are impressive to see. But none is bigger than the Biletnikoff trophy, which weighs about 60 pounds.

While Crabtree was talking to reporters, one of the award show’s public relations employees nearly dropped the trophy onto a couple of reporters typing on press row. Luckily, the employee regained control and all injuries were avoided.

The Biletnikoff is named after Fred Biletnikoff, who played wide receiver at Florida State in the early 1960s.

Crabtree, who won the award last year, became the first two-time recipient of the Biletnikoff.

Long before he was an Outland finalist, Ole Miss offensive tackle Michael Oher became famous in the book "The Blind Side,” written by Michael Lewis in 2006.

The book chronicled Oher’s background, which included a rough upbringing in Memphis, Tenn., before he accepted a scholarship to Ole Miss.

"I still get asked about the book all the time,” Oher said. "I guess it’s still a hot book.”

He wasn’t available to the media, but OSU coach Mike Gundy attended the awards show. Two of his players, Bryant and punter Matt Fodge, were finalists. Fodge won the Ray Guy award.

OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson also attended the show. Wilson was recognized for winning the Broyles Award earlier this week. The Broyles goes to college football’s top assistant coach. Sooner head coach Bob Stoops did not attend the show.

The Football Writers Association of America announced Stoops is one of nine finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.

Other finalists are: Texas’ Mack Brown, USC’s Pete Carroll, Texas Tech’s Mike Leach, Florida’s Urban Meyer, Penn State’s Joe Paterno, Boise State’s Chris Petersen, Alabama’s Nick Saban and Utah’s Kyle Whittingham.

The winner will be announced Jan. 6.

By Jake Trotter

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