Illini Whitney Marcilus gets Hendricks

URBANA, Ill., Dec. 7 (UPI) -- University of Illinois football star Whitney Mercilus has been chosen to receive the Hendricks Award, which is given to the top defensive end.

Mercilus, who leads all other college players in sacks, sacks per game and forced fumbles, is the first player for his school to win a major award since Kevin Hardy received the Butkus award in 1995, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday.

Mercilus beat out other finalists including University of Oklahoma's Frank Alexander, Clemson University's Andre Branch, Marshall University's Vinny Curry, Louisiana State University's Sam Montgomery and University of South Carolina's Nick Perry Jr.

The defensive end is scheduled to collect his award March 17 in Miami.