Darius Hamilton & Leonte Carroo Named To Award Watch Lists

The day after Rutgers junior wide receiver/kick returner Janarion Grant was named to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List as college football’s most versatile athlete, more recognitions were given out Tuesday.

Seniors Leonte Carroo (Edison, N.J.) and Darius Hamilton (West Paterson, N.J.), were named to two of the most prestigious award watch lists by the Maxwell Club.

WR Leonte Carroo catching a pass at Maryland – Christian Jenkins/The Diamondback

Carroo, a wide receiver for the Scarlet Knights, was picked as a candidate for the 79th annual Maxwell Award, given to America’s College Player of the Year. The 21st Bednarik Award slotted Hamilton, a defensive tackle, as a candidate for the nation’s College Defensive Player of the Year.

The 6-1, 205-pound Carroo had a supurb 2014 campaign, catching 55 balls from quarterback Gary Nova for 1,086 yards and 10 touchdowns. Things will be different this time around as Nova has used up his four years of eligibility. Carroo was named to the Big-Ten first team by the media, ESPN.com, Phil Steele, and BTN. The teams Offensive MVP came down with a deep ball pass on the first play of the first game at Washington State for a touchdown. Carroo’s 19.7 yards per catch led college football (minimum 51 catches), and also holds a streak of catching at least one pass in 20 straight games.

Last year’s winner, former Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, was a first-round draft pick this past April with the Tennessee Titans. Other past winners include Andrew Luck and Cam Newton.

DT Darius Hamilton – CHRIS PEDOTA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER NorthJersey.com

Carroo’s teammate at Rutgers as well as in high school at Don Bosco Prep, Hamilton was the heart and soul of the defense, and began to show why he was a former five-star recruit coming out of the high school despite being on the smaller side compared to other defensive tackles and opposing offensive linemen. The 6-4, 260-pound linemen led the team with 11.5 tackles for loss last season, with 45 total tackles including a career high 32 solo stops. Hamilton, the son of former New York Giants great Keith Hamilton, also recorded six sacks a year ago. Hamilton was also crucial in sealing a come-from-behind victory over Maryland in their final drive – showing why he has the nickname “the hammer”.

According to maxwellfootballclub.org, “Semifinalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced November 2, 2015, while the three finalists for each award will be unveiled November 23, 2015. The winners of the 2015 Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10, 2015. The formal presentations of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on March 11, 2016.”

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