Dec. 1, 2006
WACO, Texas -- Baylor linebacker Joe Pawelek was named The Sporting News Big 12 Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year announced Friday. Pawelek was one of three Bears on the publication's freshman all-conference team, joining wide receiver Justin Fenty and defensive end Jason Lamb.
A product of Smithson Valley [Texas] High School, Pawelek led Baylor with 86 tackles this season. He ranks 11th in the Big 12 with 7.17 tackles per game, the highest per-game average of any freshman nationally. Pawelek finished the season with 2.0 sacks, one interception, four passes broken up and a team-high nine quarterback hurries. His lone interception ended Baylor's 34-31 triple-overtime victory at Colorado.
Fenty, who prepped at Ryan High School in Denton, Texas, appeared in 10 games with three starts for the Bears. He finished with 19 receptions for 183 yards and one touchdown. Lamb, a product of Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas, played in all 12 games with eight starts. He led all Baylor defensive linemen with 38 tackles, including 5.5 stops behind the line (second on the team), one sack and six quarterback hurries.
Elsewhere, six Bears were named All-Big 12 by The Associated Press. Punter Daniel Sepulveda was a first-team selection, while cornerback C.J. Wilson earned second-team honors. Free safety Dwain Crawford, Pawelek and wide receivers Trent Shelton and Dominique Zeigler were named honorable mention.
