Mark Herzlich Wins Rudy Award, Looks Forward to Opportunity of Playing in NFL

Mark Herzlich is just getting started.

After being named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, then beating Ewing's sarcoma (a rare form of bone cancer) in 2009, the Boston College linebacker won the 2010 College Football Rudy Award.

Herzlich is the fourth winner of the Rudy Award, behind LeVon Morefield (2009, University of Akron), Drew Combs (2008, TCU) and Terry Clayton (2007, University of Kentucky).

"We established this award as a special way to honor and recognize college football players for who they are and what they represent, both on and off the field," said Rudy Ruettiger, who walked on at Notre Dame and was the inspiration for the movie Rudy. "Mark Herzlich is a special young man who has overcome more than most of us could ever imagine to continue to pursue his dreams. He personifies the spirit of this award and is a great example of the values of character, courage, contribution and commitment."

A grant was made in Herzlich's name to the Boston College general scholarship fund, and Ruettiger presented a bronze trophy to Herzlich's father, Sandy, at a breakfast ceremony in Dallas on Tuesday.

Alex Henery (University of Nebraska) and Michael Lemon (North Carolina State University) were the other two finalists.

The next goal for Herzlich is getting an NFL job. According to The Boston Globe, he could go anywhere from the late first round to the fourth round in the draft.