Jan. 22, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF Football team held its annual awards banquet on Sunday night at the Radisson Hotel in Orlando where Golden Knight players were honored for their on and off the field contributions to the program this past season.
Head Coach George O'Leary and his assistant coaches handed out the individual team awards as well as the all-conference plaques from Conference USA.
Senior Mike Walker (Orlando, Fla./Edgewater) was the big winner at the event, taking home three individual honors as well as a captain's plaque for his play at wide receiver. Walker was named the team's MVP, the most outstanding offensive player and the most outstanding wide receiver following his record breaking 2006 season.
Walker broke the UCF single-season record for receptions with 90, a total that ranked second in Conference USA and sixth nationally. The local product also had five, 100-yard receiving games and finished the campaign with 1,178 yards - the fourth-highest single-season effort by a Golden Knight in school history.
Sophomore Kevin Smith (Miami, Fla./Southridge) was honored as the team's most outstanding offensive back after rushing for 934 yards and seven touchdowns. Smith was a second-team All-C-USA pick by the league's head coaches.
Helping pave the way for smith was junior Kyle Smith (Brockway, Pa./Brockway), who took home the most outstanding offensive lineman award. Smith was an honorable mention All-C-USA pick and has a streak of 32-consecutive starts.
The most improved offensive player award went to quarterback Kyle Israel (Orlando, Fla./University). He started four game behind center and threw for 1,420 yards and six touchdowns, while completing 65.1 percent of his passes. Israel's completion percentage was the third-highest single season mark in school history.
The most outstanding defensive player award went to sophomore Johnell Neal (Baton Rouge, La./Redemptionist), who led the Golden Knights with 63 tackles. The defensive back also had two interceptions.
Junior Keith Shologan (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada/Spruce Grove Composite) was named the most outstanding defensive lineman after leading his unit with 40 tackles and four quarterback hurries.
Sophomore Sha'reff Rashad (Jacksonville, Fla./Episcopal) was honored as the most outstanding defensive back. He led the team with four interceptions and 10 pass break-ups, while also registering 53 tackles.
Senior Randy Dozier (Orlando, Fla./Olympia) was recognized as the team's most outstanding linebacker. He led the Golden Knights' linebacking corps with 52 tackles.
True freshman Chance Henderson (Conyers, Ga./Heritage) was honored as the most improved defensive player. He made three starts at middle linebacker at the end of the season and finished with 32 tackles and a pair of sacks.
The most outstanding special teams performer was senior punter Aaron Horne (Miami, Fla./Palmetto). He averaged 39.6 yards per punt and placed 17 of his efforts inside the 20-yard line. Horne also had seven punts of 50-yards or longer this past season.
Senior running back Bruce Meeks (Miccosukee, Fla./Lincoln) collected the "Kodak" Award, which is a new award this season. The award is given to the team's best "show team" player. Meeks was a contributor on special teams in his three seasons with the Golden Knights.
The "UCF Way" award was given to sophomore Rocky Ross. The award is given annually to the player who best exemplifies what it takes to be a Golden Knight on and off the field. Ross had 36 catches for 531 yards and two touchdowns this past season and also carries a 3.35 cumulative GPA in the classroom.
Rashad added the "Academic Excellence" award to his honor as the team's top defensive back. The criminal justice major has a 3.55 cumulative GPA and was named to the inaugural C-USA All-Academic team this past season.
Receiving a captain's plaque along with Walker was senior defensive end Chris Welsh (Cocoa, Fla./Cocoa). An honorable mention All-C-USA selection, Welsh had 33 tackles, four sacks and seven tackles for a loss in his final season with the Golden Knights.
Rounding out the award winners is Jerry Roth. A local area businessman, Roth was awarded the "Service and Recognition" honor for his dedication and long time support of the Golden Knight football program.
2006 FOOTBALL AWARDSOutstanding Offensive Wide Receiver - Mike WalkerOutstanding Offensive Lineman - Kyle SmithOutstanding Offensive Back - Kevin SmithMost Improved Offensive Player - Kyle IsraelOutstanding Offensive Player - Mike WalkerOutstanding Defensive Lineman - Keith ShologanOutstanding Linebacker - Randy DozierOutstanding Defensive Back - Sha'reff RashadMost Improved Defensive Player - Chance HendersonOutstanding Defensive Player - Johnell NealOutstanding Special Teams Player - Aaron HorneThe "UCF Way" Award - Rocky RossKodak Award - Bruce MeeksMVP - Mike WalkerAcademic Excellence - Sha'reff RashadCaptains Awards - Mike Walker and Chris WelshService and Recognition Award - Jerry Roth="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>