June 22, 2006

CHICAGO - San Diego State junior defensive end Antwan Applewhite (Torrance, Calif./Narbonne HS) has been selected as one of 42 players named to the 2006 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award Watch List. The award is given to the top defensive end in college football.

A year ago, Applewhite led the team in sacks with 5.5 and recorded 56 tackles. While playing in all 12 games, he also recovered three fumbles on his way to earning Mountain West Conference honorable mention accolades.

Applewhite is one of 17 non-seniors named to the preseason watch list and is the first Aztec in school history to be nominated for the award.

On-field performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities and contributions to his school and community and academic preparedness are some of the criteria used to determine the award's winner.

This is the second preseason watch list honor for Applewhite, who is also up for the 2006 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which honors college football's top defensive player.

The Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award is named in honor of college football's first three-time first-team All American. Hendricks' professional career spanned 15 years and 215 consecutive games. It included four Super Bowl victories, eight Pro Bowl selections and induction into the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.