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NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma's C.J. Ah You and Larry Birdine are on the preseason 42-member watch list for the Hendricks Award.  The list for that honor, which goes annually to the nation's top collegiate defensive end, was released Monday.

Ah You was the consensus Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year last season when he logged 45 tackles, including 12 for loss and seven sacks.  The Highland, Utah, native also had three fumbles caused, two pass deflections and one fumble recovery.

Ah You won defensive most valuable player honors in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl when he registered six tackles and two sacks for -14 yards against Oregon.

Birdine missed the first 11 games last season after tearing his left biceps muscle in preseason drills.  He came back to see limited action in the bowl game.

In 2004, Birdine was second on the team with 11 tackles for loss.  He ranked No. 3 in the Big 12 with seven sacks despite the fact that he did not start a game.  The Lawton, Okla., senior was part of a three-man rotation including then-seniors Dan Cody and Jonathan Jackson.

Conspicuous by his absence from the list is OU's Calvin Thibodeaux.  He had 10 sacks last season.  The list is not final, however, and players are still eligible to be added.

The Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award is named in honor of college football’s first three-time first-team
All American.

According to the Hendricks Foundation, it is in the spirit of Hendricks’ aggressive style of play, winning attitude and determination that the defensive end of the year award for college football’s premier defensive end is presented. 

On field performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities and contributions to school and community and
academic preparedness are some of the criteria used to determine the award’s winner. Candidates may represent any
class (freshman through senior) as well as any recognized four-year NCAA accredited school.