SEC football awards: Coaches name Alabama's Trent Richardson top offensive player, LSU's Morris Claiborne top defensive player

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Alabama tailback Trent Richardson is the Southeastern Conference offensive player of the year while LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne earned defensive honors.

League coaches also named Arkansas’ Joe Adams as the top special teams player. LSU’s Les Miles was named coach of the year by his peers after leading the top-ranked Tigers into the national championship game against the Crimson Tide.

The SEC released the results on Wednesday.

Alabama left tackle Barrett Jones is scholar-athlete of the year and winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy. South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is the top freshman.

Richardson is a Heisman Trophy finalist who has rushed for 1,583 yards and 20 touchdowns. Claiborne has six interceptions.

This story was originally published December 8, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "SEC football awards: Coaches name Alabama's Trent Richardson top offensive player, LSU's Morris Claiborne top defensive player."