Virginia's Eugene Monroe named Jacobs Blocking Trophy Recipient
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GREENSBORO, N.C. Virginia’s Eugene Monroe has been awarded the 2008 Jacobs Blocking Trophy, Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford announced today.
The Jacobs Blocking Trophy has been awarded annually since 1953 to the player voted the most outstanding blocker in the ACC by a poll of the league’s head coaches and defensive coordinators. The trophy is given in memory of William P. Jacobs, who served as president of Presbyterian College from 1935 to 1945.
A first-team pre-season All-ACC selection this season, Monroe, a 6-6, 315-pound senior, was an Honorable Mention All-ACC selection at tackle in 2007. A two-year starter at tackle for the Cavaliers, he was the leader of a young offensive line which has given up an ACC-low 14 sacks this year.
“The honor of being the Jacob’s recipient means a lot to me,” Monroe said. “It is one of the goals I set out to reach two years ago. It is a reflection of not only my work, but my coaches who helped guide me, teammates who push me everyday, and family back home who has been a supporting cast through my journey. My career has come a long way, from being a backup my first year, overcoming set backs, and being able to achieve this award.”
Monroe has started 29 games in his career for the Cavaliers, and this year earned the highest blocking grade in seven of Virginia’s first 11 games. He earned Honorable Mention All-ACC honors as a junior last season.
“We are absolutely thrilled for Eugene and very proud of him not just because he won, but because of how he won,” said UVa Head Football Coach Al Groh. “Eugene’s early career was not easy for him. But it was his personality, determination to be great, and the work ethic that he developed that enabled him to raise his performance level, which led those he played against to recognize him as the best.”
The South Plainfield, N.J., native was named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week following the North Carolina game on Oct. 18 for his play in Virginia’s overtime upset win over then18th-ranked North Carolina as both of Virginia’s scoresincluding the game winner in the first overtime period, came behind his blocks.
Monroe’s selection marks the 11th time a Virginia player has won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy. He is the first Cavalier offensive tackle to be picked since Ray Roberts was a back-to-back winner in 1990 and 1997.
Virginia’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy Winners
1968 Greg Shelly, OT
1970 Dan Ryczek, C
1984 Jim Dombrowski, OT
1985 Jim Dombrowski, OT
1990 Ray Roberts, OT
1991 Ray Roberts, OT
1993 Mark Dixon, OG
1999 John St. Clair, C
2003 Elton Brown, OG
2004 Elton Brown, OG
2008 Eugene Monroe, OT