Release from Clemson tonight:
CLEMSON, S.C. — Former Clemson defensive back and eight-year NFL veteran Coty Sensabaugh received the Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award at Clemson's annual football banquet on Saturday evening.
Dabo Swinney has annually presented the honor to a former Clemson player who has consistently demonstrated the qualities of leadership, community service and others that are consistent with excellence since graduating from the Clemson program. Recipients must be out of school at least 10 years to qualify. Dawkins, who played 16 years in the NFL and was named to nine Pro Bowls and was a finalist for many public service awards, was the first recipient in 2013.
A native of Kingsport, Tenn., Sensabaugh arrived at Clemson in the fall of 2007 as an unheralded recruit. After redshirting the 2007 season, he became a consistent contributor in the secondary, playing 52 career games between 2008-11.
As a senior in 2011, he played 993 defensive snaps as a starting cornerback, still the most by a defensive player in Clemson history. He led the team with 13 pass breakups and was named as one of the team’s permanent captains, as his leadership contributed to Clemson winning its first ACC Championship in 20 years.
Sensabaugh was a fourth-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans in the 2012 NFL Draft. He played eight seasons and 105 regular season games in his NFL career that spanned 2012-19.
Sensabaugh was known for accomplishments both on the gridiron and off over his career. In 2017, he was one of five NFL players to receive the Daily Point of Light Tribute Award, one of the most outstanding volunteer service awards in the philanthropic community. He was featured on ESPN for his partnership with Food for the Hungry, an organization that provides freshwater systems to communities in Haiti.
In July 2016, Sensabaugh married his wife, Dominique, a fellow Clemson graduate, in Atlanta. In lieu of gifts, the couple asked wedding guests to make a contribution to Soles4Souls, an organization that provides shoes to the needy. Instead of going on a honeymoon, the couple traveled to the Dominican Republic to distribute shoes to people in need. He has also raised money in support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of his late brother Jamaar, who died of cancer at age 16.
Sensabaugh has been active in his support of Clemson’s P.A.W. Journey program. He and Dominique also formed the Sensabaugh Family Foundation, which serves to improve vulnerable communities through financial development, domestic and global philanthropy and youth empowerment.
Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients
2013: Brian Dawkins, 1992-95
2014: Bill Smith, 1977-81
2015: Warren Forney, 1991-95
2016: Jerry Butler, 1975-78
2017: Jeff Davis, 1978-81
2018: Mark Richardson, 1979-82
2019: Michael Allen, 1995-98
2020: Michael Dean Perry, 1984-87
2021: Carl Martin, 1979-82
2022: Dexter Davis, 1988-90
2023: Patrick Sapp, 1992-95
2024: Levon Kirkland, 1987-91
2025: Coty Sensabaugh, 2007-11
In addition to Sensabaugh’s selection the award bearing Dawkins’ name, Clemson's list of awards presented at the team's annual awards banquet on Saturday afternoon is included below.
OFFENSIVE AWARDS
Solid Rock Award
Most solid, consistent and dependable player(s) at each position
QB Cade Klubnik
RB Phil Mafah
WR Antonio Williams
TE Jake Briningstool
OL Ryan Linthicum
OL Blake Miller
Hustle Award
Consistent effort and served as an inspiration to teammates
OL Tristan Leigh
12th Man Award
RB Jay Haynes
OL Trent Howard
TE Olsen Patt-Henry
Iron Man Award
Dependable player with resilient persistence and leadership
RB Phil Mafah
OL Tristan Leigh
OL Walker Parks
Most Improved Offensive Players of the Year
RB Jay Haynes
C Ryan Linthicum
WR Cole Turner
Rookies of the Year
WR T.J. Moore
OL Elyjah Thurmon
WR Bryant Wesco Jr.
Defensive Scout Team Players of the Year
S Jacob Hendricks
CB Michael Mankaka
LB Joseph Roberto
DT Champ Thompson
Tiger Pride Award (MVP)
TE Jake Briningstool
QB Cade Klubnik
RB Phil Mafah
WR Antonio Williams
Future Impact Players
TE Christian Bentancur
RB David Eziomume
WR Misun Kelley
OL Elyjah Thurmon
PAW Award
Most blue collar/unselfish players
OL Walker Parks
WR Adam Randall
DEFENSIVE AWARDS
Solid Rock Award
Most solid, consistent and dependable player(s) at each position
DE T.J. Parker
DT Payton Page
DT Peter Woods
LB Barrett Carter
LB Wade Woodaz
CB Avieon Terrell
S R.J. Mickens
Hustle Award
Consistent effort and served as an inspiration to teammates
LB Sammy Brown
DT Payton Page
CB Avieon Terrell
12th Man Award
LB Sammy Brown
DE Cade Denhoff
CB Ashton Hampton
Iron Man Award
Dependable player with resilient persistence and leadership
S Khalil Barnes
LB Barrett Carter
DT Payton Page
DE T.J. Parker
CB Avieon Terrell
Most Improved Defensive Players of the Year
LB Dee Crayton
DE Cade Denhoff
DT Stephiylan Green
DE Jahiem Lawson
Rookies of the Year
LB Sammy Brown
CB Ashton Hampton
Offensive Scout Team Players of the Year
QB Ethan Anderson
WR Charlie Johnson
RB Tristen Rigby
Tiger Pride Award (MVP)
LB Barrett Carter
S R.J. Mickens
DE T.J. Parker
CB Avieon Terrell
LB Wade Woodaz
Future Impact Players
LB Dee Crayton
CB Corian Gipson
DT Stephiylan Green
DB Ronan Hanafin
S Ricardo Jones
PAW Award
Most blue collar/unselfish players
S Khalil Barnes
LB Barrett Carter
S Tyler Venables
LB Wade Woodaz
DL Peter Woods
SPECIAL TEAMS AWARDS
Most Improved Special Teams Players of the Year
S Rob Billings
LB Dee Crayton
Offensive Special Teams Players of the Year
OL Chapman Pendergrass
WR Adam Randall
WR/H Clay Swinney
Defensive Special Teams Players of the Year
LB Jamal Anderson
DE Cade Denhoff
DB Ronan Hanafin
Special Teams Scout Team Players of the Year
S Noah Dixon
LB Joseph Roberto
DT Patrick Swygert
Specialists of the Year
PK Nolan Hauser
P Aidan Swanson
STRENGTH AWARDS
NSCA Strength and Conditioning All-American Candidates
RB Phil Mafah
DT Payton Page
OL Walker Parks
Dedication Award
DB Ronan Hanafin
OL Tristan Leigh
DT Payton Page
Power Hour Development Award
S Noah Dixon
LB Joseph Roberto
All-In Accountability Challenge Champion Captains
DT DeMonte Capehart
PK Quinn Castner
All-In Accountability Challenge Champion Team Members
S Khalil Barnes
TE Christian Bentancur
LB Griffin Batt
DT Vic Burley
LS Holden Caspersen
OL Dominic Cardone
RB David Eziomume
PK Hogan Morton
TE Colby Shaw
ADDITIONAL AWARDS
Most Inspirational Player of the Year
OL Tristan Leigh
Spiritual Leadership Award
WR Clay Swinney
P.A.W. Journey First-Class Man Award
OL Tristan Leigh
P.A.W. Journey Service Above Self Award
PK Hogan Morton
P.A.W. Journey Promising Professional Award
OL Trent Howard
P.A.W. Journey Young Alumni Award
Travis Blanks (2012-15)
P.A.W. Journey P.A.T. Man of the Year
RB Phil Mafah
Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award
Coty Sensabaugh (2007-11)
GPA Awards
Overall: PK Hogan Morton
Graduate: PK Quinn Castner
Senior: RB Wise Segars Jr.
Junior: LB Wade Woodaz
Sophomore: S Caleb Nix
Redshirt Freshman: WR Tristan Martinez
True Freshmen: QB Ethan Anderson, LB Sammy Brown, DT Aidan Hydrick, LB Billy Wilkes
True Tigers of the Year
Presented by Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center staff
S Khalil Barnes
DB Ronan Hanafin
OL Collin Sadler
WR Antonio Williams
King of the CASL Award
Most recovery sessions in the Clemson Applied Science Lab
RB Phil Mafah
Tim Bourret Award
Player who best represents himself, his teammates and Clemson University in the media
LB Barrett Carter
Team Captains
Permanent team captains for 2024 to be immortalized in the Tiger Walk plaza
TE Jake Briningstool
LB Barrett Carter
RB Phil Mafah
S R.J. Mickens
DT Payton Page
CLEMSON, S.C. — Former Clemson defensive back and eight-year NFL veteran Coty Sensabaugh received the Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award at Clemson's annual football banquet on Saturday evening.
Dabo Swinney has annually presented the honor to a former Clemson player who has consistently demonstrated the qualities of leadership, community service and others that are consistent with excellence since graduating from the Clemson program. Recipients must be out of school at least 10 years to qualify. Dawkins, who played 16 years in the NFL and was named to nine Pro Bowls and was a finalist for many public service awards, was the first recipient in 2013.
A native of Kingsport, Tenn., Sensabaugh arrived at Clemson in the fall of 2007 as an unheralded recruit. After redshirting the 2007 season, he became a consistent contributor in the secondary, playing 52 career games between 2008-11.
As a senior in 2011, he played 993 defensive snaps as a starting cornerback, still the most by a defensive player in Clemson history. He led the team with 13 pass breakups and was named as one of the team’s permanent captains, as his leadership contributed to Clemson winning its first ACC Championship in 20 years.
Sensabaugh was a fourth-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans in the 2012 NFL Draft. He played eight seasons and 105 regular season games in his NFL career that spanned 2012-19.
Sensabaugh was known for accomplishments both on the gridiron and off over his career. In 2017, he was one of five NFL players to receive the Daily Point of Light Tribute Award, one of the most outstanding volunteer service awards in the philanthropic community. He was featured on ESPN for his partnership with Food for the Hungry, an organization that provides freshwater systems to communities in Haiti.
In July 2016, Sensabaugh married his wife, Dominique, a fellow Clemson graduate, in Atlanta. In lieu of gifts, the couple asked wedding guests to make a contribution to Soles4Souls, an organization that provides shoes to the needy. Instead of going on a honeymoon, the couple traveled to the Dominican Republic to distribute shoes to people in need. He has also raised money in support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of his late brother Jamaar, who died of cancer at age 16.
Sensabaugh has been active in his support of Clemson’s P.A.W. Journey program. He and Dominique also formed the Sensabaugh Family Foundation, which serves to improve vulnerable communities through financial development, domestic and global philanthropy and youth empowerment.
Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients
2013: Brian Dawkins, 1992-95
2014: Bill Smith, 1977-81
2015: Warren Forney, 1991-95
2016: Jerry Butler, 1975-78
2017: Jeff Davis, 1978-81
2018: Mark Richardson, 1979-82
2019: Michael Allen, 1995-98
2020: Michael Dean Perry, 1984-87
2021: Carl Martin, 1979-82
2022: Dexter Davis, 1988-90
2023: Patrick Sapp, 1992-95
2024: Levon Kirkland, 1987-91
2025: Coty Sensabaugh, 2007-11
In addition to Sensabaugh’s selection the award bearing Dawkins’ name, Clemson's list of awards presented at the team's annual awards banquet on Saturday afternoon is included below.
OFFENSIVE AWARDS
Solid Rock Award
Most solid, consistent and dependable player(s) at each position
QB Cade Klubnik
RB Phil Mafah
WR Antonio Williams
TE Jake Briningstool
OL Ryan Linthicum
OL Blake Miller
Hustle Award
Consistent effort and served as an inspiration to teammates
OL Tristan Leigh
12th Man Award
RB Jay Haynes
OL Trent Howard
TE Olsen Patt-Henry
Iron Man Award
Dependable player with resilient persistence and leadership
RB Phil Mafah
OL Tristan Leigh
OL Walker Parks
Most Improved Offensive Players of the Year
RB Jay Haynes
C Ryan Linthicum
WR Cole Turner
Rookies of the Year
WR T.J. Moore
OL Elyjah Thurmon
WR Bryant Wesco Jr.
Defensive Scout Team Players of the Year
S Jacob Hendricks
CB Michael Mankaka
LB Joseph Roberto
DT Champ Thompson
Tiger Pride Award (MVP)
TE Jake Briningstool
QB Cade Klubnik
RB Phil Mafah
WR Antonio Williams
Future Impact Players
TE Christian Bentancur
RB David Eziomume
WR Misun Kelley
OL Elyjah Thurmon
PAW Award
Most blue collar/unselfish players
OL Walker Parks
WR Adam Randall
DEFENSIVE AWARDS
Solid Rock Award
Most solid, consistent and dependable player(s) at each position
DE T.J. Parker
DT Payton Page
DT Peter Woods
LB Barrett Carter
LB Wade Woodaz
CB Avieon Terrell
S R.J. Mickens
Hustle Award
Consistent effort and served as an inspiration to teammates
LB Sammy Brown
DT Payton Page
CB Avieon Terrell
12th Man Award
LB Sammy Brown
DE Cade Denhoff
CB Ashton Hampton
Iron Man Award
Dependable player with resilient persistence and leadership
S Khalil Barnes
LB Barrett Carter
DT Payton Page
DE T.J. Parker
CB Avieon Terrell
Most Improved Defensive Players of the Year
LB Dee Crayton
DE Cade Denhoff
DT Stephiylan Green
DE Jahiem Lawson
Rookies of the Year
LB Sammy Brown
CB Ashton Hampton
Offensive Scout Team Players of the Year
QB Ethan Anderson
WR Charlie Johnson
RB Tristen Rigby
Tiger Pride Award (MVP)
LB Barrett Carter
S R.J. Mickens
DE T.J. Parker
CB Avieon Terrell
LB Wade Woodaz
Future Impact Players
LB Dee Crayton
CB Corian Gipson
DT Stephiylan Green
DB Ronan Hanafin
S Ricardo Jones
PAW Award
Most blue collar/unselfish players
S Khalil Barnes
LB Barrett Carter
S Tyler Venables
LB Wade Woodaz
DL Peter Woods
SPECIAL TEAMS AWARDS
Most Improved Special Teams Players of the Year
S Rob Billings
LB Dee Crayton
Offensive Special Teams Players of the Year
OL Chapman Pendergrass
WR Adam Randall
WR/H Clay Swinney
Defensive Special Teams Players of the Year
LB Jamal Anderson
DE Cade Denhoff
DB Ronan Hanafin
Special Teams Scout Team Players of the Year
S Noah Dixon
LB Joseph Roberto
DT Patrick Swygert
Specialists of the Year
PK Nolan Hauser
P Aidan Swanson
STRENGTH AWARDS
NSCA Strength and Conditioning All-American Candidates
RB Phil Mafah
DT Payton Page
OL Walker Parks
Dedication Award
DB Ronan Hanafin
OL Tristan Leigh
DT Payton Page
Power Hour Development Award
S Noah Dixon
LB Joseph Roberto
All-In Accountability Challenge Champion Captains
DT DeMonte Capehart
PK Quinn Castner
All-In Accountability Challenge Champion Team Members
S Khalil Barnes
TE Christian Bentancur
LB Griffin Batt
DT Vic Burley
LS Holden Caspersen
OL Dominic Cardone
RB David Eziomume
PK Hogan Morton
TE Colby Shaw
ADDITIONAL AWARDS
Most Inspirational Player of the Year
OL Tristan Leigh
Spiritual Leadership Award
WR Clay Swinney
P.A.W. Journey First-Class Man Award
OL Tristan Leigh
P.A.W. Journey Service Above Self Award
PK Hogan Morton
P.A.W. Journey Promising Professional Award
OL Trent Howard
P.A.W. Journey Young Alumni Award
Travis Blanks (2012-15)
P.A.W. Journey P.A.T. Man of the Year
RB Phil Mafah
Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award
Coty Sensabaugh (2007-11)
GPA Awards
Overall: PK Hogan Morton
Graduate: PK Quinn Castner
Senior: RB Wise Segars Jr.
Junior: LB Wade Woodaz
Sophomore: S Caleb Nix
Redshirt Freshman: WR Tristan Martinez
True Freshmen: QB Ethan Anderson, LB Sammy Brown, DT Aidan Hydrick, LB Billy Wilkes
True Tigers of the Year
Presented by Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center staff
S Khalil Barnes
DB Ronan Hanafin
OL Collin Sadler
WR Antonio Williams
King of the CASL Award
Most recovery sessions in the Clemson Applied Science Lab
RB Phil Mafah
Tim Bourret Award
Player who best represents himself, his teammates and Clemson University in the media
LB Barrett Carter
Team Captains
Permanent team captains for 2024 to be immortalized in the Tiger Walk plaza
TE Jake Briningstool
LB Barrett Carter
RB Phil Mafah
S R.J. Mickens
DT Payton Page
