By DAVE GUFFEY for GoGriz.com
The University of Montana’s Zack Wagenmann has been placed on the 2014 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS Awards Watch List for defensive linemen.
The initial watch list includes 38 defensive linemen, vying for the top defensive end and defensive tackle awards in the FCS. All players are eligible for awards at their respective positions; players are not preemptively eliminated from consideration.
Wagenmann, a 6-3 ½, 255-pound senior defensive end from Missoula, is currently ranked eight in career sacks at Montana with 20 and is tied for ninth in career tackles for loss with 29.5. He will be starting for the third season in a row and has played in 38 games in a row going into 2014.
Zack Wagenmann – Photo by Todd Goodrich, University of Montana
He started all 13 games for the 10-3 Grizzlies last season, and was ranked among the Big Sky Conference’s leaders in sacks (third, with 8.5) and tackles for loss (tied for third with 16.5). He was ranked 27th in the FCS in tackles for loss, averaging 1.3 per game. He was fifth on the team with 64 tackles. He tied for the team lead (with safety Matt Hermanson) with three forced fumbles. He was a first team all-league selection for the second straight season.
This past spring Wagenmann was given the Grizzly legacy uniform number of 37 (he previously wore number 58) by graduated two-time All-America linebacker Jordan Tripp. “Wags” will serve as a defensive co-captain this season with senior nose tackle Tonga Takai. For the second consecutive season he was tabbed UM’s Larry Miller Award winner, which is given annually to the team’s outstanding defensive lineman.
Last season Tripp earned the CFPA Elite Linebacker Award, while cornerback Trumaine Johnson earned the CFPA Elite Defensive Back Award in 2011.
The goal of 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. Twenty-eight CFPA winners have been first-round NFL Draft selections.
Last season, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston earned the CFPA National Performer of the Year Trophy for the FBS, while Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams earned the CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy.
CFPA Trophy winner and former South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was the first overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft.
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