A trio of K-State senior football players were nominated for postseason awards annnounced on Monday. Wildcat quarterback Collin Klein was named to the Maxwell Award watch list, which is given to the nation’s most outstanding player. Klein burst onto the national scene last season with 1, 141 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns, plus he threw for 1, 918 yards and 13 scores. Darren Sproles was the last K-Stater nominated for the award in 2004, and Michael Bishop was a finalist in 1998.
Wildcat linebacker Arthur Brown and cornerback Nigel Malone were both named to the Chuck Bednarik award watch list, which recognizes the top defensive player in college football. Brown was a semifinalist for the award last season, and Chris Canty was a finalist in 1996. After transferring from the University of Miami, Florida, Brown became the first K-State player in five seasons to crack triple digits in tackles with 101. He also had 9.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and a memorable interception of Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Robert Griffin III of Baylor. Malone led the Big 12 and tied for 3rd in the nation with seven interceptions. He also had 58 tackles. Malone was a second team Walter Camp All-American, earned first team All-Big 12 honors from the league’s coaches, and was a semifinalist for the 2011 Jim Thorpe Award.
