Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Garcia Wins George Martin Award as Owls' MVP
1/6/2022 12:57:00 PM | Football
First interior defender to win the award since 1974
Sturdy defensive lineman Elijah Garcia, who posted the highest tackle total for a Rice interior defender in 35 years, has been selected by his teammates as the winner of the George Martin Award, presented annually to the team's most valuable player. He is the first interior defender named the Owls' MVP since defensive tackle Jody Medford in 1974.
Garcia took full advantage of an opportunity to return to Rice for a Super Senior season, earning consensus all-conference accolades while leading the Owls with career-best marks in tackles (67), sacks (5), sack yards (44), tackles for loss yards (47), total pressures (33), QB hits (9), and the defense with 791 snaps. His 67 tackles were the most for a Rice interior defender since Dwain Turner was credited with 90 in 1986 and the most for any interior defender in Conference USA during the regular season. He closed his career by playing in 49 consecutive games, the last 27 as a starter.
In addition to the team MVP, team members also selected the 2021 winners of additional annual awards.
Linebacker Aidan Siano was named the Joe F. Lipscomb Award winner as the Owls' top freshman. Siano appeared in all 12 games in 2021, moving into the starting lineup for the final three games where he was credited with 11 of his 15 tackles on the season. He was named to Conference USA's All-Freshmen team by league coaches.
Quarterback Wiley Green won the James Glanville Award for his combination of academic and athletic achievement. Green earned C-USA Offensive Player of the Week honors after leading the Owls top a win at defending conference champion UAB before his season was cut short by an injury. He carries a 3.85 GPA while majoring in Economics and Sport Management and is a three-time recipient of the C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal.
Defensive end Trey Schuman was named the winner of the "Bloody Joe" Davis Award, which goes to the player or players who most display the competitive spirit of the legendary Rice assistant coach, rising above pain and injury to be the best player possible. Schuman fought through injuries in 2021 to post career-highs in tackles (40), tackles for loss (5), and sacks (3).
Garcia joined linebacker Antonio Montero and safety Naeem Smith as winners of the 2021 Jess Neely Defensive Awards while running back Ari Broussard, wide receiver Cedric Patterson III and center Shea Baker won the George R. Brown Offensive Awards. Broussard and Baker were each honored for the second consecutive year.
Versatile Super Senior Jordan Myers was selected by the coaching staff as the winner of the Billy Ed Daniels Award for the player who exhibits the qualities most desired in a teammate. A two-time captain while playing multiple positions on offense, Myers led the Owls in scoring (48 points), touchdowns (8), and rushing touchdowns (7).
Garcia took full advantage of an opportunity to return to Rice for a Super Senior season, earning consensus all-conference accolades while leading the Owls with career-best marks in tackles (67), sacks (5), sack yards (44), tackles for loss yards (47), total pressures (33), QB hits (9), and the defense with 791 snaps. His 67 tackles were the most for a Rice interior defender since Dwain Turner was credited with 90 in 1986 and the most for any interior defender in Conference USA during the regular season. He closed his career by playing in 49 consecutive games, the last 27 as a starter.
In addition to the team MVP, team members also selected the 2021 winners of additional annual awards.
Linebacker Aidan Siano was named the Joe F. Lipscomb Award winner as the Owls' top freshman. Siano appeared in all 12 games in 2021, moving into the starting lineup for the final three games where he was credited with 11 of his 15 tackles on the season. He was named to Conference USA's All-Freshmen team by league coaches.
Quarterback Wiley Green won the James Glanville Award for his combination of academic and athletic achievement. Green earned C-USA Offensive Player of the Week honors after leading the Owls top a win at defending conference champion UAB before his season was cut short by an injury. He carries a 3.85 GPA while majoring in Economics and Sport Management and is a three-time recipient of the C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal.
Defensive end Trey Schuman was named the winner of the "Bloody Joe" Davis Award, which goes to the player or players who most display the competitive spirit of the legendary Rice assistant coach, rising above pain and injury to be the best player possible. Schuman fought through injuries in 2021 to post career-highs in tackles (40), tackles for loss (5), and sacks (3).
Garcia joined linebacker Antonio Montero and safety Naeem Smith as winners of the 2021 Jess Neely Defensive Awards while running back Ari Broussard, wide receiver Cedric Patterson III and center Shea Baker won the George R. Brown Offensive Awards. Broussard and Baker were each honored for the second consecutive year.
Versatile Super Senior Jordan Myers was selected by the coaching staff as the winner of the Billy Ed Daniels Award for the player who exhibits the qualities most desired in a teammate. A two-time captain while playing multiple positions on offense, Myers led the Owls in scoring (48 points), touchdowns (8), and rushing touchdowns (7).
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