Kuechly, Holloway Duo On Inaugural Pony Express Award Watch List

I know most of you have been dying to know what players were nominated for the prestigious Pony Express Award. Oh you haven't heard of the Pony Express Award? That's because it was just created this year by Southern Methodist graduates Eric Dickerson and Craig "Don't lock my son in a tool shed" James.

The award which will be given out by a panel of experts and administrators (whatever the hell that means) and will look for:

" two- and three-player tandems from across the nation, ultimately honoring the combination whose work ethic, desire, on- and off-field leadership and playmaking ability best fuel their team"

Sounds interesting but kind of broad and vague. I find it ironic that an award that celebrates those values comes from two players who graduated from the only program to receive the NCAA death penalty and right after the scandals at USC and Ohio State. After watching ESPN's 30 for 30 Pony Excess,  this appears to be just another step to rebuild the Mustang's image. Not every team had players nominated, but oddly enough BC was included in the list! BC's DE Max Holloway and LB Luke Kuechly are included on the inaugural award watch list:

Kuechly certain makes sense because he is the face and undisputed leader of the defense. Max Holloway is an interesting choice, but not the first name that came to my mind. I would have thought of Kaleb Ramsey -- an upperclassmen who is expected to anchor this year's defensive line -- or Kevin Pierre-Louis, the other star on D. Maybe Holloway contributes to the team in ways that we are unaware of.

Would it have been worthwhile to look at some of BC's offensive leaders as well? Maybe Montel Harris -- who carries the hopes of their offensive gameplan -- or one of their offensive linemen who constantly show a strong work ethic but largely go unrecognized.

Nominees from other ACC programs include: E.J. Manuel, Jermaine Thomas and Lonnie Pryor (Florida State), Greg Reid, Xavier Rhodes and Nigel Bradham (Florida State), Dwight Jones and Erik Highsmith (North Carolina), Donte Paige-Moss, Quinton Coples and Tydreke Powell (North Carolina), Zach Brown and Kevin Reddick (North Carolina), Logan Thomas, Jarrett Boykin and Dyrell Roberts (Virginia Tech).

Given the above criteria, what duo or trio of Eagles would you have wanted to see nominated?