Photo by: Gabby Ricciardi/Rutgers Athletics
Korsak Wins Homer Hazel Award
Dec 12 | Football
Rutgers football holds annual banquet at Hilton East Brunswick
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – All-America punter Adam Korsak took home the Homer Hazel Award as the Rutgers football most valuable player at the annual banquet held Sunday at the Hilton East Brunswick. The Scarlet Knights recognized the 2020 and 2021 senior classes at the event.
2021 Rutgers Football Awards
Homer Hazel Award/MVP – Special Teams: P Adam Korsak
MVP – Defense: DB Kessawn Abraham
MVP – Offense: WR Bo Melton
Bender Award: QB Noah Vedral
Paul Robeson Award: DL Julius Turner
HOMER HAZEL AWARD/MVP – SPECIAL TEAMS: ADAM KORSAK
Awarded to the team's Most Valuable Player.
Awarded to the individual whose performance had the greatest impact on the Rutgers special teams unit.
Korsak, one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award and winner of the fan vote, helped the Scarlet Knights to a net punt of 45.34, first nationally and on pace to set a new NCAA record. Opponents had a return of less than four yards 67-of-70 attempts, with 63 times recording a zero or negative return. In addition, Korsak pinned 37 inside the 20 with 15 settling at the 10 or closer and four times stopping a punt at the 1-yard line. The Aussie boomed 19 at least 50 yards on the way to setting a new program record with a 45.9 average, recording zero touchbacks. The two-time team captain has posted 122 consecutive attempts without a touchback dating back to 2019 and was voted First Team All-Big Ten in the coaches' vote. He recently earned Second Team All-America from both Walter Camp and the FWAA, the highest national honors for a Scarlet Knight since 2012.
MVP – DEFENSE: KESSAWN ABRAHAM
Awarded to the individual whose performance had the greatest impact on the Rutgers defensive unit.
Starting the final 11 games at cornerback, Abraham recorded seven pass breakups with 39 tackles on the season. He recorded three tackles-for-loss, including one on a fourth down late in the fourth quarter at Illinois to help seal the victory. The New York native returned a blocked PAT 85 yards for a defensive two-point conversion against Maryland. Abraham posted a season-high seven tackles versus Ohio State and broke up two passes each in games versus Northwestern and Delaware. He was graded out as First Team All-Big Ten by Pro Football Focus.
MVP – OFFENSE: BO MELTON
Awarded to the individual whose performance had the greatest impact on the Rutgers offensive unit.
Melton recorded 55 receptions for 618 yards on the season, totaling a team-best 823 all-purpose yards (618 receiving, 116 kickoff return, 51 rushing, 38 punt return). The wide receiver had six games with at least five catches and posted two games of at least 100 receiving yards with a high of 125 versus Delaware. The New Jersey native finishes his career ranked sixth in the school record book with 164 career receptions and 10th with 2,011 yards. A member of the Biletnikoff Award watch list, the two-time captain played in 56 career games for the Scarlet Knights and accepted an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl.
BENDER AWARD: NOAH VEDRAL
Awarded to the player who has demonstrated an exceptionally high level of mental and physical toughness throughout the season.
Vedral started all 12 games at quarterback and passed for 1,736 yards, the most for a Scarlet Knight since 2015. Voted a team captain and RU's recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, he added 280 rushing yards on the season, including a go-ahead 15-yard touchdown run in the win at Illinois. Vedral previously was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. He is a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar working towards a master's degree in communication, information and media.
PAUL ROBESON AWARD: JULIUS TURNER
Awarded to the individual whose performance, leadership and dedication on and off the field has had the greatest impact on Rutgers football.
Atop the program leaderboard with 57 career games played, all consecutive, Turner started all 12 games at nose guard in 2021. He posted 38 tackles with five for loss and 2.5 sacks. The Mississippi native notched a season-high seven stops versus Michigan State, adding a forced fumble at Northwestern and a pass batted down at Indiana. Turner was instrumental up front in helping the rushing defense improve by 41 yards per game from last season. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten in both the coaches' and media vote. The captain finishes his career with 175 tackles, 20.5 tackles-for-loss, five passes batted down and two blocked kicks.
Gallery: (12-12-2021) 2021 Rutgers Football Banquet
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel and bookmark Rutgers.Football, the Scarlet Knights' dedicated recruiting site.
2021 Rutgers Football Awards
Homer Hazel Award/MVP – Special Teams: P Adam Korsak
MVP – Defense: DB Kessawn Abraham
MVP – Offense: WR Bo Melton
Bender Award: QB Noah Vedral
Paul Robeson Award: DL Julius Turner
HOMER HAZEL AWARD/MVP – SPECIAL TEAMS: ADAM KORSAK
Awarded to the team's Most Valuable Player.
Awarded to the individual whose performance had the greatest impact on the Rutgers special teams unit.
Korsak, one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award and winner of the fan vote, helped the Scarlet Knights to a net punt of 45.34, first nationally and on pace to set a new NCAA record. Opponents had a return of less than four yards 67-of-70 attempts, with 63 times recording a zero or negative return. In addition, Korsak pinned 37 inside the 20 with 15 settling at the 10 or closer and four times stopping a punt at the 1-yard line. The Aussie boomed 19 at least 50 yards on the way to setting a new program record with a 45.9 average, recording zero touchbacks. The two-time team captain has posted 122 consecutive attempts without a touchback dating back to 2019 and was voted First Team All-Big Ten in the coaches' vote. He recently earned Second Team All-America from both Walter Camp and the FWAA, the highest national honors for a Scarlet Knight since 2012.
MVP – DEFENSE: KESSAWN ABRAHAM
Awarded to the individual whose performance had the greatest impact on the Rutgers defensive unit.
Starting the final 11 games at cornerback, Abraham recorded seven pass breakups with 39 tackles on the season. He recorded three tackles-for-loss, including one on a fourth down late in the fourth quarter at Illinois to help seal the victory. The New York native returned a blocked PAT 85 yards for a defensive two-point conversion against Maryland. Abraham posted a season-high seven tackles versus Ohio State and broke up two passes each in games versus Northwestern and Delaware. He was graded out as First Team All-Big Ten by Pro Football Focus.
MVP – OFFENSE: BO MELTON
Awarded to the individual whose performance had the greatest impact on the Rutgers offensive unit.
Melton recorded 55 receptions for 618 yards on the season, totaling a team-best 823 all-purpose yards (618 receiving, 116 kickoff return, 51 rushing, 38 punt return). The wide receiver had six games with at least five catches and posted two games of at least 100 receiving yards with a high of 125 versus Delaware. The New Jersey native finishes his career ranked sixth in the school record book with 164 career receptions and 10th with 2,011 yards. A member of the Biletnikoff Award watch list, the two-time captain played in 56 career games for the Scarlet Knights and accepted an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl.
BENDER AWARD: NOAH VEDRAL
Awarded to the player who has demonstrated an exceptionally high level of mental and physical toughness throughout the season.
Vedral started all 12 games at quarterback and passed for 1,736 yards, the most for a Scarlet Knight since 2015. Voted a team captain and RU's recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, he added 280 rushing yards on the season, including a go-ahead 15-yard touchdown run in the win at Illinois. Vedral previously was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. He is a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar working towards a master's degree in communication, information and media.
PAUL ROBESON AWARD: JULIUS TURNER
Awarded to the individual whose performance, leadership and dedication on and off the field has had the greatest impact on Rutgers football.
Atop the program leaderboard with 57 career games played, all consecutive, Turner started all 12 games at nose guard in 2021. He posted 38 tackles with five for loss and 2.5 sacks. The Mississippi native notched a season-high seven stops versus Michigan State, adding a forced fumble at Northwestern and a pass batted down at Indiana. Turner was instrumental up front in helping the rushing defense improve by 41 yards per game from last season. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten in both the coaches' and media vote. The captain finishes his career with 175 tackles, 20.5 tackles-for-loss, five passes batted down and two blocked kicks.
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel and bookmark Rutgers.Football, the Scarlet Knights' dedicated recruiting site.
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