UTEP senior LB Robert Rodriguez was chosen the WAC Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday, and DB Quintin Demps was selected the co-WAC Freshman of the Year.
Ten Miners earned All-WAC recognition, based on a vote by league coaches.
An El Paso native, Rodriguez leads the WAC in tackles for the third time in four years, averaging 9.7 stops per game. Rodriguez has totaled 15 tackles for losses, three sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception this season.
Demps has 51 tackles in 2004, as well as two interceptions, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick.
Five Miners were tabbed to the All-WAC first team -- RB Howard Jackson, DL Chris Mineo, Rodriguez, DB Adrian Ward and P Bryce Benekos. Five others were selected second team All-WAC -- WRs Jayson Boyd and Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr., TE Jonas Crafts, LB Thomas Howard and PK Reagan Schneider.
Honorable mention All-WAC selections included WR Chris Francies, OLs Josh House and Bo Morris, QB Jordan Palmer, DL Zach West, LB Godwin Akinduro, DB Jahmal Fenner and Demps.
The 10 All-WAC selections marks the second-highest total in school history. UTEP had 11 All-WAC honorees in 2000.
Rodriguez is the fourth UTEP player to be tabbed WAC Defensive Player of the Year, joining LB Raymond Morris (1983), LB Barron Wortham (1993) and DE Brian Young (1999).
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