Minter named LSU MVP at banquet

BATON ROUGE - Linebacker Kevin Minter was named the recipient of the Charles McClendon Award as LSU's most valuable player here Sunday night at the annual LSU Football Banquet.

Minter was one of many Tigers honored as LSU celebrated its 10-2 season and a No. 8 national ranking in 2012. The Tigers will go after win No. 11 on Dec. 31 against 14th-ranked Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta.

Minter led an LSU defense that ranked among the nation's best in several categories, including total yards allowed (296.2), points allowed (16.9) and rushing yards allowed (101.8). Minter, a second team All-America and a first team All-Southeastern Conference selection, had a team-best 111 tackles to go with 13.5 tackles for loss. .

Minter twice earned National Player of the Week honors in 2012, the first coming after setting a school-record with 17 solo tackles against Florida and the other coming after a 12-tackle, one-interception performance in the win over Texas A&M.

The Percy E. Roberts Outstanding Offensive Award went to sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry and senior center P.J. Lonergan. Landry led the Tigers in receptions with 52 and receiving touchdowns (4) and he was second on the team in receiving yards with 536.

Lonergan, who graduated on Friday with a degree in management, started all 12 games as center for the Tigers, leading the team in total snaps and offensive line production.

A pair of junior defensive ends in Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo shared the Percy E. Roberts Outstanding Defensive Player Award. Montgomery, a first-team all-conference selection and a third-team All-America, recorded 32 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss and a team-best 7.0 sacks for the Tigers. Mingo led LSU with 12 quarterback hurries to go along with 33 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.

The National L-Club permanent team captains were awarded to quarterback Zach Mettenberger and offensive tackle Josh Dworaczyk on offense, Minter and safety Eric Reid on defense, and kicker Drew Alleman on special teams.

Reid and defensive tackle Bennie Logan were named the winners of the George Wallace Memorial Award, which goes to the players who distinguished themselves by performance, leadership and commitment to the team. Reid ranked third on the team with 81 tackles to go with a pair of interceptions, while Logan had 36 tackles. 5.0 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.

Brad Wing and Odell Beckham Jr. were named the recipients of the Special Teams Coaches Award, while Landry and Deion Jones were the winners of the Wild Tiger Championship Trophy for accumulating the most production points on special teams coverage units. Wing ranked among the national leaders in punting with a 44.8 average, while Beckham Jr. returned two punts for touchdowns and averaged close to 10 yards a punt return.

Nick Rice, who graduated on Friday with a 3.9 grade point average in finance, received the Dr. Charles E. Coates Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.

The Butch Duhe Award, which goes to those players who personify the idea of unselfishness, dependability and commitment to the team, was given to fullback J.C. Copeland, linebacker Lamin Barrow, defensive tackle Josh Downs, and defensive Chancey Aghayere.

Other awards handed out on the banquet on Sunday night include: Lavar Edwards, Chase Clement, La'eL Collins, Russell Shepard and Spencer Ware recipients of the Unsung Hero Award; and Minter and Reid as the winners of the Alvin Roy Strength and Conditioning Award.