Emory & Henry star running back Caleb Jennings has won the Virginia College State Player of the Year award for Division II, III and NAIA football.
Formerly known as the Dudley Award, the honor is now named after former Kansas City Chief Hall-of-Fame linebacker Willie Lanier.
Jennings is first E&H football player to win this award since Cary Perkins won it in 1992. Both Bill Dudley and Willie Lanier, a pair of NFL Hall of Famers, were on hand to present the award.
Jennings, a junior, is also the 2009 ODAC Offensive Player of the Year, having run for 137 yards per game, 14 touchdowns, and contributing as both a punt and kick returner.
Jennings in particular said he was impressed by the lineup of players on hand, including standouts from from Division I athletics. "Being here with Hall of Famers, and people who I’m going to be watching play on New Year’s Eve, in Atlanta," he said. "It’s an amazing game, and it can bring so many people together."