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Blacksburg, VA — Virginia Tech senior linebacker Cody Grimm was named the 2009 Dudley Award winner at a banquet in Richmond Tuesday night. Media members across the state of Virginia vote on the award.

The Dudley Award is named for former Virginia standout “Bullet” Bill Dudley and is given to the state’s top Division I college football player. Separate awards for Division II and III programs were established in 2004.

Grimm becomes the ninth Hokie to win the award. In 20 years, Virginia Tech players have earned the award 10 times – Lee Suggs won the award twice (2000 and 2002).

Grimm beat out Richmond quarterback Eric Ward for the award. Ward received more first-place votes (4) than Grimm (3), but Grimm was named on every ballot while Ward was not. Grimm finished with 35 points followed by Ward with 29. James Madison defensive end Arthur Moats was third with 19.

The son of former Washington Redskins “Hog” Russ Grimm, Cody was a former walk-on at Virginia Tech but ended his career as the team’s unquestioned defensive leader, leading tackler, fan favorite and made the ACC’s first team.

Dudley Award Winners (1990-present)

• 1990 – Shawn Moore, QB, Virginia
• 1991 – Matt Blundin, QB, Virginia
• 1992 – Cary Perkins, QB, Emory and Henry
• 1993 – Jim Pyne, OL, Virginia Tech
• 1994 – Mike Frederick, DE, Virginia
• 1995 – Cornell Brown, DE, Virginia Tech
• 1996 – Tiki Barber, RB, Virginia
• 1997 – Anthony Poindexter, CB, Virginia
• 1998 – Marc Megna, DT, Richmond
• 1999 – Corey Moore, DE, Virginia Tech
• 2000 – Lee Suggs, RB, Virginia Tech
• 2001 – Billy McMullen, WR, Virginia
• 2002 – Lee Suggs, RB, Virginia Tech
• 2003 – Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech
• 2004 – Bryan Randall, QB, Virginia Tech
• 2005 – Darryl Tapp, DE, Virginia Tech
• 2006 – Vince Hall, LB, Virginia Tech
• 2007 – Chris Long, DE, Virginia
• 2008 – Rodney Landers, QB, James Madison
• 2009 – Cody Grimm, LB, Virginia Tech

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