NC State Football Holds Annual Team Awards

NC State's SDCCU Holiday Bowl-bound football team held its annual postseason awards ceremony over the weekend, prior to departing this week for San Diego.

Quarterback Devin Leary – who set a school record for touchdowns in a single season -  won the team's Governor's Award, which has been given to the team's Most Valuable Player since 1960.  Leary also earned the Torry Holt Award – given to the team's most valuable offensive player after tallying 3,433 yards and throwing 35 touchdowns with only five interceptions all year.

Linebacker Drake Thomas was the recipient of the Mario Williams Award for the Most Valuable Defensive Player and also won the Bill Cowher Award for Linebacker of the Year. Thomas' first-team All-ACC season saw him lead the team in tackles with 100.

Another first-team All-ACC player was named Most Valuable Special Teams Player: punter and kickoff specialist Trenton Gill. Gill led the ACC in punt average and had 23 kicks of 50 plus yards. His 31 punts down inside the 20 also was an ACC best, while 48 of his 68 kickoffs resulted in touchbacks this season. 

Safety Devan Boykin was named the Philip Rivers Most Valuable Freshman. Boykin played a vital role in the team's defensive success and on special teams. In the win over Boston College, he prevented a score with a big breakup in the endzone and then added some points of his own with a "scoop and score" on a bobbled punt. 

Here's a look at the Pack's other award winners for 2021:

Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year
Justin Dunn & Demarcus Jones, II

Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year
Sean Brown & Travali Price

Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year
Jamie Shaw & Colby Johnson

Ted Brown Award (Offensive Back of the Year)
Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person, Jr.

Gary Rowe Award (Receiver of the Year)
Emeka Emezie

Jim Ritcher Award (Offensive Lineman of the Year)
Ikem Ekwonu

DeWayne Washington Award (Defensive Back of the Year)
Tyler Baker-Williams

Bill Cowher Award (Linebacker of the Year)
Drake Thomas

Carey Brewbaker Award (Defensive Lineman of the Year)
Cory Durden

Philip Rivers Award (Most Valuable Freshman)
Devan Boykin

Special Teams Most Valuable Player
Trenton Gill

Mario Williams Award (Most Valuable Defensive Player)
Drake Thomas

Torry Holt Award (Most Valuable Offensive Player)
Devin Leary

Governor's Award (Most Valuable Player)
Devin Leary

Earle Edwards Award (Scholastic Achievement)
Jerome Williams

Michael Hardy Award (Winning Attitude)
Grant Gibson (third straight year)

Bo Rein Award (Vital Contribution in an Unsung Role)
Joe Shimko

Bob Warren Award (Integrity & Sportsmanship)
Danny Blakeman & Bryson Speas

Al Michaels Award (Team Before Self)
Jordan Houston

Ken McNeill Iron Wolf Award (Comeback from Injury)
Devin Leary

Alpha Rising Award (Exceptional Improvement)
Christopher Toudle

Leader of the Hunt Award (Effort & Commitment in Nutrition)
Dylan McMahon & Drake Thomas

Hungry Wolf Award (Demonstration of Nutritional Improvement)
Devin Leary & Davin Vann

Community Service Award (Community Service Award)
Trenton Gill

Wolfpack Spirit Award (Special Supporter of the Program)
Strength & Conditioning Staff & Nutrition Staff