University of Georgia center Ben Jones team's overall MVP

Georgia center Ben Jones speaks with reporters during NCAA college football media day in this file photo.

Photo by Associated Press /Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Georgia senior center Ben Jones received the Vince Dooley Most Valuable Player Award during Saturday night's team gala in Athens.

Sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray and sophomore outside linebacker Jarvis Jones were honored as offensive and defensive MVPs, while senior punter Drew Butler and redshirt freshman Kosta Vavlas shared MVP honors on special teams. Georgia released the event's winners Monday.

Ben Jones also was named the team's overall permanent captain for the 2011 season, which will continue Jan. 2 when the No. 18 Bulldogs (10-3) face No. 12 Michigan State (10-3) in the Outback Bowl.

Junior tight end Orson Charles and senior tackle Cordy Glenn were elected offensive captains, while senior cornerback Brandon Boykin and Jarvis Jones were tabbed defensive captains. Butler was named special teams captain.

"Most improved" honors went to Glenn and fellow senior tackle Justin Anderson on offense, senior end Abry Jones and junior linebacker Mike Gilliard on defense and redshirt freshman Connor Norman on special teams.

Newcomer honors offensively went to three receivers: redshirt freshman Michael Bennett and freshmen Chris Conley and Malcolm Mitchell. Freshman linebacker Amarlo Herrera and junior noseguard John Jenkins were the top defensive newcomers, with freshman Quintavius Harrow honored on special teams.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.