Dorsey, Doucet, Highsmith get preseason pub

LSU’s Glenn Dorsey, Ali Highsmith and Early Doucet have been named to the watch lists for two national awards, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Tuesday.

Dorsey, a senior defensive tackle, and Highsmith, a senior linebacker, were both named to the Chuck Bednarik Award, which goes to the college football’s defensive player of the year.

A year ago, Dorsey earned First-Team All-America honors after anchoring an LSU defense that ranked among the best in the nation. Dorsey is considered one of the nation’s top defensive linemen going into the 2007 season and he’s even been called the best player in college football by one ESPN analyst.

For his career, Dorsey has collected 110 total tackles, including 14.5 tackles for losses and six sacks.

Highsmith is a three-year starter for ht Tigers, during which time he has recorded 159 tackles, 17 tackles for losses and eight sacks. He was a Second-Team All-SEC selection a year ago after registering 63 tackles and three sacks for the third-ranked Tigers.

Doucet, a senior wide receiver from St. Martinville, is one of 65 players who are being considered for the Maxwell Award, which is presented to the nation’s most outstanding college football player.

Doucet is coming off his best year as a Tiger, ranking second on the team with 59 catches for 772 yards and eight touchdowns. For his career, Doucet has caught 103 passes for 1,521 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Semifinalist for the two awards will be announced on November with the three finalists being named on Nov. 26. The winners of the two awards will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 6 in Orlando, Fla.

Last year, Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn was the recipient of the Maxwell Award, while Penn State’s Paul Posluszny was the winner of the Bednarik Award.