April 23, 2010

ANNAPOLIS, Md.-Rising sophomore safety Dylon Porlas (San Diego, Calif.) was named the winner of the Vice Admiral William P. Mack Award at halftime of Friday's annual Blue-Gold Football Game.

The Admiral Mack Award is given to the player voted by the coaching staff as the most improved player during spring football drills. It is the sixth time a member of the secondary has won the award in its 35 years of existence and the first since Lord Cole won the award in 2004. It is the third-consecutive year that a member of the defense has won the award. Tyler Simmons won in 2009 and Craig Schaefer won it in 2008. Other defensive backs to have won the award include Gary Lane (1997), Charles Fisher (1996), Steve Tazza (1989) and John Carroll in 1984.

"Dylon has had an impressive spring," said Navy head football coach Ken Niumatalolo. "He runs well and has a nose for the football. He has a great chance to be a key contributor next Fall."

Porlas is currently listed second on the depth chart with Tra'ves Bush at the rover position, backing up defensive co-captain Wyatt Middleton.

Porlas is a 2008 graduate of Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego and attended the Naval Academy Prep School in 2008-09. He was a two-sport athlete who earned three letters in football and two in track & field. He was a two-time all-county strong safety and earned all-city honors as a senior.

The Admiral Mack Award was initiated in 1976 and is named in honor of Vice Admiral William P. Mack, the Naval Academy Superintendent from 1972-75, who was a strong supporter of the school's intercollegiate athletic program. Admiral Mack's widow, Elsie, was on hand to present the award to Porlas.