The Chicago Tribune announced today that University of Michigan sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson has been named the recipient of the Silver Football as the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player. The award is voted upon by the conference’s 11 head coaches. Robinson was a finalist along with Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan.
For Northwestern’s Dan Persa to not even be named a finalist is an absolute travesty! The Trib should really be ashamed of themselves on this one. In terms of Denard getting the nod over Persa, I don’t agree with it, but I understand it. If it’s about being the “most valuable player” to your team, I think Persa and Denard are a push. If it’s about being the “best player” than I would go with Robinson.
And overall, this year’s race was wide open.
By Paul M. Banks
Kerrigan, Pryor, Iowa’s Ricky Stanzi and Illini Mikel Leshoure, I don’t think you could go wrong giving it to any of those guys.
This is the second straight year that a UM Wolverine has claimed the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football Award; Brandon Graham shared the honor with Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark last season. The Chicago Tribune Silver Football has been presented to the best player in the Big Ten annually since 1924.
He was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year by the conference coaches and the media and earned All-Big Ten first team accolades from the media. Robinson set the NCAA record for rushing yards by a quarterback (1,643 yards) and became the first player in NCAA history to rush and pass for 1,500 yards in a season. He holds the Michigan season record with 3,959 total offensive yards and has accounted for 30 touchdowns (14 rushing, 16 passing).
Robinson becomes the 17th Wolverine to win the prestigious award and is the seventh signal caller in school history to garner the award.
Following are Michigan’s Chicago Tribune Silver Football winners: QB Denard Robinson (2010), DE Brandon Graham (2009 co-winner), WR Braylon Edwards (2004), RB Chris Perry (2003), CB Charles Woodson (1997), WR Desmond Howard (1991), QB Jim Harbaugh (1986), WR Anthony Carter (1982), QB Rick Leach (1978), RB Rob Lytle (1976), RB Ron Johnson (1968), QB Bob Timberlake (1964), RB Jim Pace (1957), QB Chalmers “Bump” Elliott (1947), RB Tom Harmon (1940), QB Harry Newman (1932) and QB Benny Friedman (1926).