Michael Jenkins Named Buckeyes’ 2003 MVP – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/7/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 7, 2003
COLUMBUS, Ohio: Senior split end Michael Jenkins has been selected by his teammates as the Most Valuable Player on the 2003 Ohio State football team. Jenkins received the award at Sunday’s annual team banquet held at the Adams Mark Hotel in Columbus. Approximately 800 people attended the luncheon and awards ceremony, where 26 seniors were recognized for their contributions this past year.
Jenkins led the Buckeyes in receiving during the regular season with 50 receptions for 738 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 14.8 yards per catch and 61.5 receiving yards per game.
Jenkins is just the third wide receiver in Ohio State history to win MVP honors. The other two were split end Cris Carter in 1986 and flanker Jeff Graham in 1990.
Jenkins heads into this year’s bowl game with 2,802 career receiving yards on 160 career receptions, totals that rank him second and third, respectively, in the OSU records book. He needs 54 yards to surpass David Boston (2,855) as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yardage.
“Michael is an unselfish leader and a great player, who constantly came up with the big play that made the difference for us on both offense and special teams this year,” praised head coach Jim Tressel of the Tampa, Fla., product. “He has had a great year and a great career as a Buckeye.”
The 6-5 Jenkins also received the SAE Award as the Most Valuable Player in the Homecoming Game (Iowa). He returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown against the Hawkeyes. It was his first career punt return.
The only other award voted on by the players, the Bo Rein Most Inspirational Award, went to senior safety Will Allen. Allen, a first-year starter from Dayton, Ohio, finished the regular season with 79 tackles, a personal high and the second highest figure on the team. Allen, who repeatedly came up with key defensive stops during the 2003 campaign, also received the Arnie Chonko outstanding defensive back award.
Tailback Maurice Hall received the John W. Galbreath Award for combined excellence in athletics and academics. Hall, a junior from Columbus, was a nominee for Academic All-American this year.
Senior quarterback Craig Krenzel received the Archie Griffin Award as the most valuable offensive player, while senior defensive end Will Smith was the Bill Willis Award winner as the most valuable defensive player.
Other award winners were:
Outstanding First-Year Offensive Player – Santonio Holmes
Outstanding First-Year Defensive Player – Nate Salley
Rex Kern Outstanding Back Award – Lydell Ross
Paul Warfield Outstanding Receiver Award – Ben Hartsock
Jim Parker Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award – Shane Olivea
Jack Stephenson Outstanding Defensive Lineman Award – Tim Anderson
Randy Gradishar Outstanding Linebacker Award – Robert Reynolds
Ike Kelley Special Teams Award – B.J. Sander
