Pitt: 2015 Football Season Fan Poll Awards

Sep 12, 2015; Akron, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Ejuan Price (5) pursues Akron Zips running back Connor Hundley during a game at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field. Pitt won 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Nick Cammett-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Player of the Year

Fan Vote: Ejuan Price

My Vote: Ejuan Price

If you were tasked with finding a player more deserving of this title, I would wish you luck and send you on your way. Not deserving based solely on statistics, but more on the road traveled to get to this point in his career.

Price began his career with Pitt in 2010 as the Wannstedt era was concluding, had the pleasure of meeting Mike Haywood, played for Todd Graham, then Paul Chryst, and will seal his envelope with an endorsement from Pat Narduzzi. Sprinkled between all the head coaches are countless injuries that set Ejuan back, seemingly in each season in exception for 2015.

Due to the injuries and missing over a season’s worth of games, Price may decide to apply for sixth-year senior status. After his 2015 campaign, it would be nice to see him back in 2016 against loftier opponents.

With history behind us, let’s focus on his incredible 2015 season. When we ushered the season in, we were just hoping to have Price for more than a handful of games—he crushed those expectations.

He had 43 tackles on the season, which was good for sixth on the team. The most impressive statistic, however, were his 19.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, a forced fumble, fumble recovery, blocked kick, and a touchdown. It was Mike Caprara’s season, but on steroids.

Price’s season was good enough to give him first team all-ACC honors, along with Tyler Boyd and Adam Bisnowaty.

Everyone was enamored with the defensive season Jordan Whitehead put in as a freshman, and rightfully so, but the fans nailed this vote.

Voting Breakdown:

Ejuan Price: 48.82%

Jordan Whitehead: 42.09%

Matt Galambos: 5.72%

Avonte Maddox: 2.36%

Mike Caprara: 1.01%

Next: Rookie of the Year