Duke announced on Thursday the addition of three players to national award watch lists, including senior kicker Will Snyderwine to the Groza Award list for the nation's top collegiate kicker.
Wide receiver tandem of Donovan Varner and Conner Vernon were named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list among the nation's elite wideouts.
That award is presented by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation to the nation's most outstanding collegiate wide receiver.
North Carolina receiver Dwight Jones was also featured on the Biletnikoff Award list. He led the Heels with 62 receptions last season for 946 yards.
Guided by junior quarterback Sean Renfree, Duke hopes to exploit defenses with its speedy duo.
Varner, a senior from Miami, Fla., looks to become the first player in ACC history to produce three seasons with 60 or more receptions. He enters the season with 146 career receptions, 1,947 yards and 10 TDs.
Vernon, also from Miami, Fla., is a preseason first-time All-ACC selection. The junior led the league with 73 receptions last season.
Meanwhile, Snyderwine returns for his redshirt senior season. He is a two-time semifinalist for the Groza Award. The Potomac, Md., native has made 38 of 44 career field goal attempts and all of his 56 PAT attempts.
Edward joined the News & Observer staff in 2004. He is a graduate of American University and Johns Hopkins University. He covers Wake Forest football and women's college basketball for the N&O. Edward is a native of Washington, D.C. He can be reached at 829-4781 or
Comments
Hard to guard as I say
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 19:42 — gvillegatrSitting on the back deck. Grilling a few Strips and having a few Sam Adams Summer Ales and still waiting to see the blog about UNC and their pre season football watch lists. Three guys a matter of fact. I'll keep waiting ...
N&O just doesn't want to
Sat, 07/09/2011 - 01:10 — mad_maxN&O just doesn't want to pull the trigger too early here. Who knows which "rogue" players will be held out this year...
Joking aside, who do ya got? This article lists Jones. I'm thinking the other two are Coples and maybe DPM (assuming he stops punching people)?
Players
Sat, 07/09/2011 - 09:34 — gvillegatrCasey Barth -- Lou Groza
Dwight Jones -- Bilitnekof
Tydreke Powell, Zack Brown Band, DPM and Quinton Coples -- Bronco Nagurski
Tydreke Powell -- Outland
Kevin Reddick, DPM and Quinton Coples -- Bednarik