LINCOLN — Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David was named a 2011 team MVP and team captain on Friday night as well as the winner of the Guy Chamberlin Trophy during the Huskers' annual team banquet at the Cornhusker Marriott.
David and junior I-back Rex Burkhead were voted co-winners of the team MVP award. They also shared NU lifter of the year honors.
Those two were joined by junior kicker-punter Brett Maher as season captains, as elected by their teammates.
David won the Chamberlin Trophy in a vote of media members who cover the team. Recent winners include Alex Henery in 2010, Ndamukong Suh in 2009 and Nate Swift in 2008.
A media vote also determined the Tom Novak Trophy, which was split by senior center Mike Caputo and senior defensive tackle Terrence Moore.
The Cletus Fischer Native Son Award went to Jared Crick, a senior defensive tackle from Cozad, Neb. The Fischer Native Son winner is picked by the Husker coaching staff.
The Chamberlin, Novak and Fischer Native Son winners will be honored during the Outland Trophy banquet in Omaha on Jan. 12.
With David and Burkhead sharing the overall team MVP honors, quarterback Taylor Martinez was named offensive MVP and cornerback Alfonzo was named defensive MVP. Maher was picked on special teams.
Among other honorees was redshirt freshman Bronson Marsh as scout-team offense MVP. The former Millard South quarterback mimicked opposing quarterbacks in practices throughout the season.
Burkhead is the first NU player to win back-to-back lifter of the year honors since Kyle Vanden Bosch in 1999 and 2000. Burkhead was an All-Big Ten player this season after rushing for 1,268 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns.
The award winners — Captains: Rex Burkhead, Lavonte David, Brett Maher. Team MVP: Rex Burkhead and Lavonte David. Offensive MVP: Taylor Martinez. Defensive MVP: Alfonzo Dennard. Special teams MVP: Brett Maher. Chamberlin Trophy: Lavonte David. Novak Trophy: Mike Caputo and Terrence Moore. Fischer Native Son Award: Jared Crick. Bobby Reynolds Award: Lance Thorell. Lifter of the year: Rex Burkhead and Lavonte David. Walk-on of the year: Spencer Long. Offensive scout-team player of the year: Bronson Marsh. Defensive scout-team player of the year: Wil Richards. Character Award: Terrence Moore, Rex Burkhead, Curenski Gilleylen. Pat Clare Award: Marcel Jones. Husker Heart Award: Luke Lingenfelter. Burnell Student Manager Scholarship: Tanner Dunbar.
— Rich Kaipust
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