Grimm Wins Dudley Award

Virginia Tech whip linebacker Cody Grimm became the first Hokie since 2006 to
win the Dudley Award on Tuesday night, narrowly edging Richmond quarterback Eric
Ward. The Dudley Award is given annually to the state’s top Division I
player.

The Hokies generally nominate a top upperclassman for the Dudley Award, and
Grimm was the easy choice this year. He led the team with 99 tackles and tied
for the team lead with 9.5 tackles for loss. Grimm also added three sacks on the
season.

Grimm was a major playmaker for the Hokies this year, coming up with numerous
big plays, particularly late in the season. He had a tackle, forced fumble and
fumble recovery – all on one play – on a critical possession at East Carolina.
In the NC State game, he forced three fumbles in NC State’s first four plays
from scrimmage. That was an NCAA record for forced fumbles in a single game.

Grimm is tied for the national lead in forced fumbles this year. He has
forced seven fumbles, along with Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan. He will play in his
final game for the Hokies in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

This award was once dominated by Virginia Tech, with a Hokie winning it seven
times in an eight year stretch from 1999 through 2006. Virginia’s Chris Long won
the award in 2007, and James Madison quarterback Rodney Landers won it last
season.

Virginia Tech tailback Lee Suggs is the only repeat winner of the Dudley
Award, winning it after big seasons in 2000 and 2002.

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