SEC Honors Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, Clark Lea, and A&M’s Cashius Howell
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) recently announced its postseason individual awards, determined by a vote from the league’s 16 head coaches. Among the honorees, Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia stood out as the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, while Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell earned the title of SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
Diego Pavia: SEC Offensive Player of the Year
Diego Pavia had a remarkable season, accumulating 4,018 yards of total offense and 36 touchdowns. He led the SEC in several key statistics:
- Pass efficiency: 181.5
- Touchdown passes: 27
- Completion percentage: 71.2%
Pavia’s impressive performance earned him recognition as a Heisman finalist earlier this week. He is also set to participate in the upcoming Senior Bowl.
Cashius Howell: SEC Defensive Player of the Year
Cashius Howell was recognized for his exceptional defensive skills. He recorded 14 tackles for loss during the regular season, leading the SEC with 11.5 sacks. Additionally, he is ranked second nationally among defensive ends with six pass break-ups. Howell is currently a finalist for two prestigious awards: the Lombardi Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award.
Other Notable Awards
In addition to Pavia and Howell, several other athletes received individual honors:
- Special Teams Player of the Year: Tate Sandell
- Oklahoma Freshman of the Year: Braylon Staley
- Tennessee Newcomer of the Year: Trinidad Chambliss
- Jacobs Blocking Trophy: Kadyn Proctor, Ole Miss
- Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Nick Rinaldi, Vanderbilt
Looking Ahead
On Thursday, the SEC will announce its All-Freshman Team, showcasing the upcoming talent in the league.
