June 19, 2006

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern sophomore Kevin Mims (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands), a 2005 Sporting News honorable mention Freshman All-American, has been named to the 2006 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award preseason watch list.

Mims is one of 42 players on the list, and one of seven from the Big Ten Conference. Previous award recipients include Terrell Suggs of Arizona State, David Pollack of Georgia and Elvis Dumervil of Louisville.

The Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award is named in honor of college football's first three-time first team All-American. Ted Hendricks used his agility, height and reach to block passes and kicks, force interceptions and defend quarterbacks and running backs. He roamed the front line, read plays and blitzed on impulse completely transforming the way the defensive end position was played.

His professional career spanned 15 years and 215 consecutive games. It included four winner Super Bowls, eight Pro Bowl selections an induction into the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. It is in the spirit of Ted Hendricks' aggressive style of play, winning attitude and determination that the Defensive End of the Year Award for college football's premier defensive end is presented.

In 2005, Mims progressed as a first-year player and concluded his rookie season by being named the Vitalis Sun Bowl Lineman of the Game. He earned the honor after recording three tackles and returning his first collegiate interception for a touchdown.

Mims was named Northwestern's NGN Defensive Newcomer of the Year and earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors from The Sporting News. He finished the year with 41 tackles, 2 sacks and 4.5 TFL's.

On field performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities and contributions to school and community and academic preparedness are some of the criteria used to determine the award's winner. Candidates may represent any class (freshman through senior) as well as any recognized four-year NCAA accredited school.