Honors Roll In For Jayhawk Football Players

Dec. 12, 2012

2012 Postseason Awards
James Sims

Phil Steele and ESPN.com
All-Big 12 First Team
Tanner Hawkinson

Phil Steele
All-Big 12 Second Team
Ben Heeney

Phil Steele
All-Big 12 Second Team
Bradley McDougald

Phil Steele
All-Big 12 Third Team
Jake Love

ESPN.com
All-Big 12 Freshman Team
Tre Parmalee

ESPN.com
All-Big 12 Freshman Team

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas junior halfback James Sims led a group of Jayhawk football players picking up more postseason honors as he was named All-Big 12 by ESPN.com and first team All-Big 12 by Phil Steele Magazine as released this week by the publications.

Sims, a junior from Ft. Worth, Texas, became just the 11th player in Kansas history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season as he turned in 1,013 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns in 2012 despite missing the first three games of the season. He set a KU record by recording 100 or more yards in six consecutive games.

Sims, who led the Big 12 in rushing and ranked 18th in the NCAA in 2012, recorded a career long rush of 64 yards (vs. Texas), a career-long reception of 51 yards (vs. Oklahoma) and a career-long TD run of 59 yards (vs. Baylor). Additionally, he logged his career-best rushing game with 176 yards vs. Texas. He finished his junior campaign ranked eighth on the Kansas all-time rushing chart with 2,482 yards.

Sims, who hauled in 14 receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown, concluded his outstanding 2012 season by finding his name on numerous All-Big 12 teams including picking up first team honors from CBS Sports and also earning second team All-Big 12 honors from the conference office, the Associated Press and the San Antonio Express News.

KU senior offensive lineman Tanner Hawkinson and junior linebacker Ben Heeney were tabbed second team All-Big 12 by Phil Steele, while the magazine named senior safety Bradley McDougald to its third team.

Hawkinson also received second team All-Big 12 honors from the league coaches, Associated Press and San Antonio Express News after playing an instrumental part in helping the KU rushing offense rank 24th nationally and third in the Big 12. Hawkinson was also tabbed an honorable mention Offensive Lineman of the Year by the Big 12.

Hawkinson, a native of McPherson, Kan., set two Kansas records his senior season. He concluded his career by starting 48 games, the most starts of any player in KU history. He also set the Jayhawk record for consecutive games started with his 48-straight starts.

Heeney earned second team All-Big 12 honors from the Big 12 coaches and the Associated Press. Heeney, a Hutchinson, Kan., native, finished third in the Big 12 in tackles with 112 on the season. He also led KU with 12.0 TFLs for a loss of 31 yards, which ranked fifth in the league. Heeney, who started all 12 games for the Jayhawks, recorded five double-figure tackling games and also had a forced fumble and two pass breakups on the season.

McDougald closed out his Kansas career by ranking second to Heeney in tackles with 92, including 72 solo stops. He had three interceptions, two forced fumbles and 4.0 TFLs for a loss of 18 yards. The Columbus, Ohio native also returned punts, collecting 39 yards on four returns.

Redshirt freshman linebacker Jake Love and freshman wide receiver Tre’ Parmalee were honored by ESPN.com on its Big 12 All-Freshman team.

Love collected 36 tackles on the season, including 8.0 TFLs for a loss of 31 yards, which ranked second on the team. He also had 1.0 sack for a loss of seven yards, two quarterback hurries and one pass breakup in his first season of action.

Parmalee was honored as a kick returner as he returned 13 kicks for 260 yards. His 20.0 yards per kick average included a long return of 33 yards. Additionally, he hauled in seven receptions for 79 yards.