Three Buffs Tabbed To Preseason Lists

BOULDER — The University of Colorado football team Friday saw three players earn mention on preseason watch and nominee lists prior to the start of the 2014 season. 

Senior DE Juda Parker was named by the American Football Coaches Association as a nominee for the 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.  The award recognizes players whose charitable involvement and community service contributions stand out among all other student-athletes participating in the sport. 

A total of 11 out of the 182 players nominated will be named to the Good Works Team, with additional voting done to select the team captain.  The team has been selected since 1992, when CU OL Derek West appeared on the inaugural squad.  Other CU honorees throughout the years were DB Robbie Robinson (2001), DL George Hypolite (2007) and TB Brian Lockridge (2011). 

Junior TB Christian Powell was also named to the watch list for the 2014 Doak Walker Award, awarded by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum and named after the great SMU running back.  Semifinalists will be announced November 18 and finalists on November 24. 

The award is in its 25th season.  CU’s Rashaan Salaam won the award in 1994, the fifth-ever recipient of the trophy, the same season he won the Heisman Trophy and Walter Camp Award, while Chris Brown was the runner-up in 2001.

Powell has led the Buffs in rushing each of the past two seasons and enters his junior season with 305 carries for 1,253 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

Senior PK Will Oliver was also named to the 2014 College Football Performance Awards Watch List, one of 40 kickers named to the list.  Oliver was honored by the organization three times with weekly honors in 2013.  Oliver was also named to the watch list for the Lou Groza Award last week. 

Oliver has hit 60 consecutive PATs, just six behind the school records, and he is the first player to complete perfect seasons in the category twice.  He ranks eighth in scoring in CU history with 189 points, fourth best among kickers.  An excellent student, he maintains well above a 3.5 GPA majoring in Business Management. 

Parker will join senior WR Nelson Spruce in Los Angeles next Wednesday and Thursday for Pac-12 Media Day.  Players report to Fall Camp on August 1 with the first practice scheduled for the following day.