Wisconsin football: team banquet and awards

The Wisconsin Badgers held their annual team banquet and awards ceremony on Friday evening at Union South and a number of players took home some hardware. The Badgers have early national signing day coming up this week and then they’ll start preparing for the Oregon Ducks and the Rose Bowl.

Here are the winners courtesy of Brian Mason and the UW Athletic Department!

MADISON, Wis. – Headlined by senior linebacker Chris Orr and junior running back Jonathan Taylor, who shared Jimmy Demetral Team MVP honors, the Wisconsin football program handed out a number of awards at its annual team banquet Friday at Union South.

Taylor was named a team MVP for the second consecutive season. He is the first repeat Jimmy Demetral Team MVP recipient since linebacker Chris Borland shared the honor in 2012 and received it again in 2013.

See below for a complete list of the award winners:

Jimmy Demetral Team MVP

Presented annually to the player most instrumental to the success of the team, as selected by his teammates and coaches.

• Chris Orr, Jonathan Taylor

Offensive Player of the Year

Presented annually to the top player on offense, as selected by the coaching staff.

• Tyler Biadasz, Jack Coan

Defensive Player of the Year

Presented annually to the top player on defense, as selected by the coaching staff.

• Zack Baun

Special Teams Player of the Year

Presented annually to the most valuable player on special teams, as selected by the coaching staff.

• Zach Hintze

Ivan Williamson Scholastic Award

Presented annually to a player who has been exemplary in the areas of scholarship and sportsmanship.

• Tyler Johnson

Impact Players of the Year

Presented to the players whose contributes made significant impacts on the success of their units, as voted by their teammates.

• Quintez Cephus (Offense)

• Reggie Pearson, Jack Sanborn (Defense)

• Aron Cruickshank, Adam Krumholz, Mike Maskalunas (Special Teams)

Rookie of the Year - Offense

Presented to the player who, in his debut season, made a major impact on the success of the offense.

• Cormac Sampson, Nakia Watson

Rookie of the Year - Defense

Presented to the player who, in his debut season, made a major impact on the success of the defense.

• Keeanu Benton

Wayne Souza Coaches Appreciation

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.

• A.J. Taylor

Jay Seiler Coaches Appreciation

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.

• Isaiahh Loudermilk, Garrett Rand

Tom Wiesner Award

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).

• Garrett Groshek, Matt Henningsen

Badger Power Award

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.

• Zack Baun, Chris Orr

Comeback Player of the Year Award

Presented to the player who overcame injury or other obstacles to play a key role in the team’s success.

• Quintez Cephus

Otis Green Manager Award

Presented annually to a student manager whose leadership, dedication and work ethic led to the success of the football program. The award is given in memory of former team manager Kevin “Otis” Green.

• Kevin Huckstorf

Captains Cup

Presented annually to an individual, other than a player or coach, who has shown tremendous dedication and unselfish commitment toward the betterment of the football program.

• John Lobe

Congratulations to all of the winners.