July 31, 2003
Notre Dame, Ind. – Notre Dame junior defensive end Justin Tuck was named to the 2003 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award preseason watch list released July 28. The award, presented by the Ted Hendricks Foundation located in Chicago, is based upon on-field performance, leadership and contributions to the school and the community. Candidates may represent any class (freshman through senior), as well as any recognized four-year NCAA school (Division I through Division III).
Tuck, from Kellyton, Ala., racked up 33 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks in 13 games for the Irish in 2002. He played a key role as a pass-rush specialist in nickel and dime defenses for the Irish and was named a third-team freshman All-American by The Sporting News in 2002. Tuck did not play as a freshman for the Irish thus making him eligible for the award.
This is the second year for the Hendricks Award. Last year’s inaugural recipient was Arizona State’s Terrell Suggs who was taken in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.