Woodson, Carr win Camp Award

In what could be a foreshadowing of more accolades to come, Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson and coach Lloyd Carr were named this year's recipients of the Walter Camp Foundation's Player and Coach of the Year, respectively.

The announcement came at a press conference at Schembechler Hall yesterday. The formal presentation will be held Feb. 14, at the Foundation's annual banquet in New Haven, Conn.

Woodson is only the second defensive player to win the award. Pittsburgh's Hugh Green won it in 1980.

More important, Woodson's candidacy for the Heisman Trophy, college football's most prestigious honor, could be strengthened by this recognition. The past six Heisman recipients and nine of the last 10 have won the Camp Award. Green finished second in the Heisman balloting in 1980 behind South Carolina running back George Rogers.

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Wolverines' cornerback Charles Woodson receives the Walter Camp Foundation's Player of the Year award yesterday at Schembechler Hall. The formal presentation will be Feb. 14 in New Haven, Conn.

"I don't think this award (moves me closer to winning the Heisman Trophy)," Woodson said. "My play on the field is the only thing that is going to help me."

But given the chance to be a hypothetical voter for the Heisman, Woodson's top three choices may have raised some eyebrows.

"I'd vote me, then (Marshall wide receiver) Randy Moss and then (Texas running back) Ricky Williams," said Woodson, surprisingly omitting Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning, who many consider the front-runner for the award, which will be presented Dec. 13, at the Downtown Athletic Club of New York.

"But if the Heisman doesn't come around, I'll still be happy," he said.

Despite being put on a pedestal yet again, Woodson refused to comment on his future. It is widely believed that he will forego his final year of collegiate eligibility and apply for the National Football League Draft, where he will undoubtedly be one of the top players selected.

But Woodson is still keeping his plans for the future on hold until after the Rose Bowl.

"I have to sit down and talk to my mom after the season," Woodson said. "We'll lay everything out and we'll make a decision from there."

This is only the second time in the history of the Camp Awards, which were first presented in 1967, that one school has spawned both winners in the same year. In 1986, quarterback Vinny Testaverde and coach Jimmy Johnson of Miami (Fla.) were honored. Testaverde also went on to win the Heisman.

The Camp Awards are voted by Division I coaches and sports information directors. They are named in honor of the former Yale coach credited with many basic rule changes in the game, including the play from scrimmages, the modern scoring system and the advent of set plays. Thomas Lully, president of the Walter Camp Football Foundation, said Woodson was the voters' "overwhelming favorite."

"I'm happy to be part of something so special," Woodson said upon receiving the award. "I would thank all of the coaches, especially coach Carr. I want to congratulate him on his award. He certainly deserves it. He's done a great job."

Woodson is the first Michigan player to win the award since Desmond Howard won it in 1991. Howard went on to become Michigan's second Heisman winner a couple weeks later. Carr is only the second Michigan coach to be so honored. Bo Schembechler won the honor in his first year as Michigan coach in 1969.

Carr called his recognition "a tremendous honor and a great thrill," and shared the spotlight with the entire Michigan program.

"As is the case with any award of this nature," Carr said, "it is due to the efforts and the commitment and dedication of a lot of people, particularly, the people right here in Schembechler Hall.

"The Michigan team - no coach could ever have asked for a finer group of young people who played with the kind of spirit and enthusiasm that certainly would have made Walter Camp very happy, to a group of assistants who are very talented, dedicated and committed men.

"There isn't any question that you're only as good as the men who surround you. There are no finer men than the guys who are coaching here at Michigan."

Carr also thanked four people whom he called both "friends as well as his mentors": former Michigan assistant coach and Colorado head coach Bill McCartney, former Michigan State coach Woody Widenhofer, Carr's predecessor at Michigan Gary Moeller and Schembechler, who initially hired him at Michigan in 1980.

12-02-97