Honey Badger up for Walter Camp award

LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu—better known as the Honey Badger—has been named one of five finalists for the Walter Camp National Player of the Year Award, the organization announced today. Mathieu is the only defensive player on the list, and he’s also the only sophomore in the group. He’s joined by three quarterbacks—Baylor’s Robert Griffin III, Houston’s Case Keenum and Stanford’s Andrew Luck—along with Alabama running back Trent Richardson. Mathieu has been named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week twice this year, and currently leads the top-ranked Tigers in tackles with 66. He leads the SEC and ranks second in the nation in both forced fumbles (6) and fumble recoveries (4). Mathieu has also intercepted two passes, recorded seven pass breakups and a pair of quarterback hurries. He has 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks to his credit for an LSU defense that is allowing just 10 points and 248 total yards per game. The 2011 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, determined by vote of the Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be presented live on Thursday, Dec. 8, during the 6 p.m. edition of ESPN SportsCenter. The winner will receive his trophy at the Walter Camp Foundation’s annual national awards banquet on Saturday, Jan.14, at the Yale University Commons in New Haven. Former Auburn University quarterback Cam Newton—who now takes snaps for the Carolina Panthers—won the award last year. Read more about all the finalists here.