TCU's Jerry Hughes is the winner of the 2009 Ted Hendricks Award, recognizing him as the nation's top defensive end.
Hughes got the call Tuesday night from Hendricks himself, a college and NFL Hall of Fame member.
Hughes received nearly 60 percent of the votes cast in the final round of balloting. Other finalists were Jeremy Beal (Oklahoma), Brandon Graham (Michigan), Sergio Kindle (Texas), Von Miller (Texas A&M), Derrick Morgan (Georgia Tech) and Greg Romeus (Pittsburgh).
"Jerry Hughes has been a consistently outstanding performer in his four-year career at TCU," Hendricks said. "I have enjoyed watching him become one of the top defensive ends in the nation."
Hughes anchors the nation's top-ranked defense. He has 15 tackles for a loss, including 11 and a half sacks, among a career-high 54 tackles. In their first BCS appearance, the Horned Frogs are 12-0 and headed to the Fiesta Bowl to face Boise State.
The Ted Hendricks Award will be presented to Hughes on March 21 at the Doral Golf Resort in Miami, Fla.
