With the college regular season behind us we can take a stab at who will win which prestigious award.
Heisman Trophy – Outstanding Player
QB, Jamies Winston – Florida State
Winston has been by far and away the best player in college football this past season. Bursting onto the scene as a freshman he is about to lead the Seminoles to a national championship game after season that saw him throw 3,490 yards and 35 touchdowns to just eight interceptions.
Just missed out: QB, Jordan Lynch – Northern Illinois, RB, Andre Williams – Boston College
Maxwell Award – Outstanding Player
QB, Jameis Winston – Florida State
There is no reason why Winston won’t do a Cam Newton and win at least three awards. All his stats and performances suggest there is no other man better suited for the award. Both Manziel and Mariota could easily win this award and are both deserving but it’s hard to see past Winston
Just missed out: QB, Johnny Manziel – Texas A&M, QB, Marcus Mariota – Oregon
Walter Camp Award – Player of the Year
QB, Jordan Lynch – Northern Illinois
Lynch has had an incredible year with 4,212 yards of offense and 42 touchdowns for the 12-0 Huskies.
Lynch epitomises the word football player and his achievements deserve to be recognised.
Just missed out: QB, Johnny Manziel – Texas A&M, QB, Jameis Winston – Florida State
Davey O’Brien Award – National Quarterback Award
Jameis Winston – Florida State
This award could easily go to A.J. McCarron who undoubtedly deserves national recognition for the college career he has had. However, his success is largely tied to Alabama and since they have suffered a loss it’s unlikely he will win. Winston has rarely put a foot wrong and, having not lost a single game all season, he looks favorite to cash in again with the Davey O’Brien award.
Just missed out: A.J. McCarron – Alabama, Johnny Manziel – Texas A&M
Doak Walker Award – Outstanding Running Back
Andre Williams – Boston College
Williams had a season for the ages when he became only the 15th college player in history to eclipse the 2,000 yard rushing mark. Joining an illustrious list that includes Barry Sanders, Marcus Allen and Ladainian Tomlinson. The senior running back surpassed 200 yards in five games
Just missed out: Bishop Sankey – Washington, Ka’Deem Carey - Arizona
Fred Biletnikoff Award – Outstanding Wide Receiver
Sammy Watkins – Clemson
Brandin Cooks and Davante Adams would have been worthy winners of this award if it was not for Watkins’ terrifying consistency and ability to bail out his quarterback over the course of the season.
The junior caught 85 passes for 1,237 yards and ten touchdowns.
Just missed out: Brandin Cooks – Oregon State, Davante Adams – Fresno State
John Mackey Award – Outstanding Tight End
Eric Ebron – North Carolina
Ebron recently declared for the 2014 NFL Draft and will likely take the John Mackey award with him. The junior Tar Heel caught 55 catches for 895 yards and three touchdowns in a very poor offense. Both Amaro and Seferian-Jenkins had outstanding season but benefitted from superior offenses to inflate their numbers.
Just missed out: Jace Amaro – Texas Tech, Austin Seferian-Jenkins – Washington
Outland Trophy – Outstanding Interior Lineman
DT, Aaron Donald – Pittsburgh
Donald has had a tremendous season at the heart of the Panthers’ defensive line where he racked up an insane 26 tackles for a loss in 11 games. That’s what is known as unblockable. Ndamukong Suh is the last defensive lineman to win the award and he had 20.5 tackles for a loss in 14 games.
Just missed out: OG, Cyrril Richardson – Baylor, OG, David Yankey - Stanford
Chuck Bednarik Award – Defensive Player of the Year
DT, Aaron Donald – Pittsburgh
It’s so hard to overlook Donald’s dominating season when it comes to the Chuck Bednarik award.
Mosley has once again had an outstanding season as the heartbeat of the Crimson Tide’s defense but he hasn’t put up huge numbers.
Does his excellent collegiate career deserve rewarding? Mack, on the other hand, has put up big numbers for the Bulls but against much poorer opposition. This award is the toughest to call.
Just missed out: LB, C.J. Mosley – Alabama, DE, Khalil Mack - Buffalo
Jim Thorpe Award – Outstanding Defensive Back
CB, Darqueze Dennard – Michigan State
The best college defensive backs often don’t put up the best stats due to opposing quarterbacks point blank refusing to throw their way. Dennard is often left alone to deal with opposing receivers and he did superbly all season drawing rave reviews. Fuller and Joyner both had tremendous seasons and will be worthy winners if chosen.
Just missed out: CB, Kyle Fuller – Virginia Tech, CB/S LaMarcus Joyner – Florida State
Lou Groza Award – Collegiate Place-Kicker Award
Roberto Aguayo – Florida State
Aguayo missed just one kick over the course of the season which was from 40-49 yards while he made the lone attempt from beyond 50. Anthony Fera put up very similar numbers making it also impossible to split the two while Marvin Kloss made four kicks from beyond 50 to put his name into the hat.
Just missed out: Anthony Fera – Texas, Marvin Kloss - USF
Ray Guy Award – Outstanding Punter
Tom Hornsey – Memphis
Hornsey is the only punter of the three with more than 50 punts. The senior averaged 45.9 yards per kick with a long of 79. Kaser and Mendall attempted 44 and 35 punts respectively which sees them missing out despite Mendall boasting the biggest average at 47.5
Just missed out: Drew Kaser – Texas A&M, Cody Mendall - Alabama