During their annual team banquet Friday evening at Union South, the Wisconsin Badgers honored several players for their contributions to yet another 10-win season.
Senior running back Corey Clement and redshirt junior outside linebacker T.J. Watt took home the offensive and defensive player of the year awards, respectively, but team MVP honors went to a former prep running back who grew up a stone’s throw from Madison.
Teammates and coaches awarded redshirt senior safety Leo Musso the Jimmy Demetral team MVP, given to the “player most instrumental to the success of the team.”
At a position group that lost both of its starters a year ago, Musso teamed with D’Cota Dixon to stabilize the safety positions. The Waunakee native led the team with five interceptions and was second in tackles (65), while the Wisconsin defense led the nation in interceptions (21).
Here’s the full list of award winners:
Jimmy Demetral Team MVP: Leo Musso
Per UW: “Presented annually to the player most instrumental to the success of the team, as selected by his teammates and coaches.”
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Corey Clement
“Presented annually to the top player on offense, as selected by the coaching staff”
Defensive Player of the Year: OLB T.J. Watt
“Presented annually to the top player on defense, as selected by the coaching staff”
Special Teams Player of the Year: LS Connor Udelhoven
“Presented annually to the most valuable player on special teams, as selected by the coaching staff.”
Ivan Williamson Scholastic Award: TE Eric Steffes, DB Serge Trezy
“Presented annually to a player who has been exemplary in the areas of scholarship and sportsmanship”
Most Improved Players
• C Michael Deiter, LT Ryan Ramczyk (Offense)
• ILB Ryan Connelly, CB Sojourn Shelton (Defense)
• P/Kickoff specialist P.J. Rosowski (Special Teams)
“Presented to the players on offense, defense and special teams whose work ethic and dedication led to improvement on the field”
Scout Team Player of the Year (Offense): WR Ricky Finco
“Presented annually to the offensive player who excelled on the scout team in preparing the defense for each week's game.”
Scout Team Player of the Year (Defense): LB Mike Maskalunas
“Presented annually to the defensive player who excelled on the scout team in preparing the offense for each week's game.”
Wayne Souza Coaches Appreciation: QB Bart Houston
“Presented annually to the offensive player who has contributed to the team's success to the best of his abilities. It is based upon improvement, attitude and willingness to help the program in all areas”
Jay Seiler Coaches Appreciation: OLB Vince Biegel
“Presented annually to the defensive player who has contributed to the team's success to the best of his abilities. It is based upon improvement, attitude and willingness to help the program in all areas.”
Tom Wiesner Award: RB Dare Ogunbowale
“Presented annually to a Wisconsin-born student-athlete whose loyalty, hard work, spirit and dedication are unselfishly directed to the success of the team. The award is given in memory of Wiesner, a Wisconsin football letterwinner (1958-60).”
Badger Power Award: DL Conor Sheehy
“Presented annually to the player that consistently performs at a high level in all aspects of the strength and conditioning program. An individual who has a great work ethic coupled with a positive attitude that garners the respect of teammates, is dependable, buys into the program and shows constant improvement.”