Defensive MVP Award
Winner: S Verone McKinley III (Noah Sewell also received votes)
(Previous Winner: Noah Sewell)
Zachary Neel: Verone won the Team MVP award earlier in the season, and he is my easy choice for the Defensive MVP. There is arguably no player who means more to the rest of the defense, simply because of McKinley’s ability to diagnose and quarterback the defense from his position in the secondary. His teammates are constantly in the right position, and they all say it is in large part because of his help. The General gets this one for me.
Don Smalley: Noah Sewell. He showed game after game that he’s one of the top linebackers in the country. Duck fans better savor watching Sewell because he won’t be in Eugene long. Shout out to Brandon Dorlus for his play on the defensive line, as well.
Andy Patton: In the interest of not copying Don entirely, I’ll go with Verone McKinley here. McKinley leads the conference with five interceptions, and his performance in the secondary this year has helped elevate Oregon’s defense even when they were without Kayvon Thibodeaux earlier in the season. Shoutout Noah Sewell who has of course been outstanding, and of course Thibodeaux when healthy.