University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Thomas Smith and Azzie Beagnyam Named to Preseason Watch List for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award
5/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Thomas Smith and Azzie Beagnyam Named to Preseason Watch List for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award
5/24/2004
PITTSBURGH'University of Pittsburgh defensive linemen Thomas Smith and Azzie Beagnyam have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2004 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award, it was announced today the Hendricks Foundation.
Smith (Capitol Heights, Md./Suitland Senior) and Beagnyam (Seabrook, Texas/Clear Lake) are two of 37 candidates on the preseason list. The Hendricks Award, presented annually to the nation's premier defensive end since 2001, is named after Pro and College Hall-of-Famer Ted Hendricks.
Pittsburgh's Most Valuable Defensive Lineman in 2003, Smith enters his redshirt junior season with all-star aspirations. In his first season as a starter last year, he compiled 44 tackles and ranked second on the team with 16 quarterback hurries and eight tackles for losses from his rush end position. He twice earned the coaching staff's Defensive Player of the Game honor, including the West Virginia and Temple contests.
A first-team All-Maryland selection at Suitland Senior High, Smith has only been playing competitive football since his sophomore year of high school. He is one of seven returning starters for Pittsburgh's defense in 2004.
Entering his redshirt sophomore season, Beagnyam ended spring drills as the leader for the starting defensive end spot vacated by Chicago Bears draftee Claude Harriott. Beagnyam played last year in all 13 games, making a start versus Notre Dame, and collected 31 tackles, three tackles for losses and a sack.
Perhaps Beagnyam's most impressive performance came in a return to his home state of Texas when he relieved an injured Harriott and compiled three tackles, two quarterback hurries and two pass breakups in the victory over Texas A&M.
A former District Defensive Player of the Year, Beagnyam was a three-year starter at defensive end while at Clear Lake High. He worked at linebacker as a true freshman in 2002 before moving back to end last season.
The Panthers, who have played in four consecutive bowl games and five the last seven years, open their season Sept. 6 in an ESPN nationally televised contest at South Florida. Season-ticket packages are available by calling (800) 643-PITT.
