Four Jayhawks Named to College Football Performance Awards Lists
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Four Kansas football players were named to one of the 2014 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) Watch Lists based on their respective positions over the past two weeks.
Selected on the defensive side of the ball were senior linebacker Ben Heeney and junior safety Isaiah Johnson; who was tabbed for best defensive back. Senior tight end Jimmay Mundine and senior punter Trevor Pardula made up Kansas’ offensive and special teams selections, respectively.
The purpose of the College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
Heeney, an All-Big 12 Second Team pick in 2013, is a member of the preseason All-Big 12 Team in 2014. Heeney is one of 40 linebackers to make the watch list and one of six active linebackers in the nation with over 200 tackles and 20 tackles for loss in the last two seasons. Heeney’s preseason recognition comes on the heels of his nomination to the Chuck Bednarik, Butkus and Bronko Nagurski trophies as well as the Rotary Lombardi Award.
Johnson, the 2013 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year from the safety position, led the team with five interceptions last season. The Cary, N.C., native was second behind Heeney in tackles with 73 in 2013. Johnson’s five interceptions tied him for second in the conference a season ago and ninth on the all-time Kansas single season interception list. In 2014, Johnson will return as the Big 12’s second-leading tackler among defensive backs.
Mundine returns as KU’s active leader in touchdown catches, while ranking second in receptions (41) and receiving yards (498). After a breakout year in 2013, Mundine completed the season in third place among Big 12 tight ends in receptions and yards, resulting in All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors as voted by league coaches. Mundine caught a team-high five passes in the end zone in 2013, including a streak of four-straight games with a touchdown reception.
Pardula, a native of San Jose, California, booted 24 punts of more than 50 yards last season, including a career-best 78-yard punt, for an average of 43.7 yards per kick. The junior also placed 25 punts inside the 20-yard line. Named to Phil Steele’s Midseason All-America Team, and earning national recognition for his performance in KU’s win over Louisiana Tech, Pardula was named the Ray Guy Award and Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week, as well as the College Football Performance Awards Punter of the Week.
The Jayhawks are set to begin the 2014 slate Sept. 6, as they play host to Southeast Missouri State. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside Memorial Stadium.
Kansas football season ticket packages for all six home games are available for as low as $99, as well as a three-game mini pack (Southeast Missouri State, Texas and Oklahoma State) with Tier 2 seating for $145. Information on all available packages is available by visiting OneTeamOneChant.com or KUAthletics.com.
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