Dec. 12, 2008

University of North Carolina wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, linebacker Mark Paschal and linebcker/tight end Ryan Taylor were named the Tar Heels' Most Valuable Players at the 2008 senior football banquet Friday evening.

Nicks earned team MVP honors for the second consecutive season after setting school records for most receiving yards in a season (1,005) and career (2,623). A junior from Charlotte, N.C., Nicks tied the single-season record with nine touchdown receptions and was named first-team All-ACC. He enters the Meineke Car Care Bowl game vs. West Virginia, needing just four receptions to tie the school's all-time mark for catches.

Paschal started 11 games this year before a spine injury in the NC State game ended his career. He finished the season with 103 tackles, ranking fourth in the league in tackles per game. He also had 6.5 tackles for losses, two sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. The Charlotte, N.C., native played in 47 consecutive games until the injury.

Taylor graded out as Carolina's top special teams player with 18 tackles. Against NC State, he became the first Tar Heel in several years to play offense, defense and special teams in the same game.

2008 NORTH CAROLINA FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS

• Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete Award: Terrence Brown
• John Lacey Rehabilitation Award: Linwaun Euwell
• Morris Mason Award - Outstanding Lifter: Brooks Foster (upperclassman), Jonathan Cooper (Freshman)
• Jason Brown Award - Most Improved Strength & Conditioning: Zack Pianalto (offense), Cam Thomas (defense)
• James A. Gray and James A. Gray, Jr Football Manager's Award: Caleb Sherrill
• William Rand Kenan, Jr. Award - Outstanding Achievement, Academics, Athletics, Leadership: Lowell Dyer
• David Thornton Award - Outstanding Scout Team Player: Cam Holland (offense), Tavares Brown (defense), Quentin Plair (special teams)
• Bill Arnold Memorial Award - Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Garrett Reynolds
• William Fuller Award - Outstanding Defensive Lineman: Marvin Austin
• Louis Graves Award - Outstanding Offensive Back: Shaun Draughn
• Greg Poole Award - Outstanding Special Teams Player: Ryan Taylor
• George Barclay Award - Outstanding Linebacker: Quan Sturdivant
• Art Weiner Award - Outstanding Receiver: Hakeem Nicks
• Cary Boshamer Award - Outstanding Defensive Back: Trimane Goddard
• Andy Bershak - Outstanding Defensive End: E.J. Wilson
• Jeffrey Cowell Memorial Award - Outstanding Freshman: Christian Wilson (offense), Robert Quinn (defense), Casey Barth (special teams)
• Jeffrey Cowell Memorial Award - Outstanding Newcomer: Alan Pelc
• Jack Sapp Memorial Award - Best All-Around Senior: Richard Quinn
• Charlie Justice Award - Outstanding Contribution: Bruce Carter (defense), Brandon Tate (offense), Ryan Houston (offense)
• Moyer Gray Smith Award - Most Improved Player: Kendric Burney (defense), Cameron Sexton (offense)
• James Sutherland Award - Team Captain: Mark Paschal (defense), Trimane Goddard (defense), Hakeem Nicks (offense), Garrett Reynolds (offense), Ryan Taylor (special teams), Matt Merletti (special teams)
• Bob Osterneck Memorial Award - Most Team Spirit: Chase Rice
• E. Carrington Smith Award - Most Valuable Player Offense: Hakeem Nicks
• E. Carrington Smith Award - Most Valuable Player Defense: Mark Paschal
• E. Carrington Smith Award - Most Valuable Player Special Teams: Ryan Taylor