Oklahoma State University Athletics
Sharp Wins National Performance Award
January 12, 2010 | Cowboy Football
Jan. 12, 2010
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State's Quinn Sharp is the 2009 recipient of the College Football Performance Award as the nation's top kickoff specialist, it was announced today.
A freshman from Mansfield, Texas, Sharp led the nation in kickoffs that resulted in touchbacks with 35. According to the College Football Performance Awards criteria, Sharp's kickoff performance is the second strongest since the kickoff was moved back to the 30 yard line. Only current Dallas Cowboy David Buehler has finished a season with a stronger kickoff performance.
"It's an honor to be recognized like this because of the amount of work that you put in," Sharp said. "I want to thank the College Football Performance Awards and all my teammates and coaches for this."
No other school has received more Performance Award trophies than Oklahoma State the last two years. Perrish Cox (2008 kickoff returner), Dez Bryant (2008 wide receiver) and Sharp (2009 kickoff specialist) have all finished seasons with the strongest performances at their respective positions.
"On behalf of the College Football Performance Awards, I congratulate 2009 Kickoff Specialist Trophy recipient, Quinn Sharp, for all his hard work at Oklahoma State," said Brad Smith, executive director of the College Football Performance Awards. "As a redshirt freshman, Quinn finished the 2009 season with the strongest kickoff specialist performance in Division I FBS college football."
According to Smith's research, Sharp's 50% touchback percentage in 2009 was roughly 41% higher than the national median.
The purpose of the College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
