College football’s brightest stars will take center stage this weekend, as the sport’s best athletes will be honored with some big hardware.
The main event comes Saturday, when the Heisman Trophy will be awarded to one of four finalists who have dominated the field this season — Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr., or Oregon QB. Bo Nicks.
[2023 Heisman Trophy: The case for each finalist to win]
But Friday night is a great introduction to that, with a host of other major honors being handed out, including awards for best quarterback, running back, wide receiver, lineman and more.
Those two awards could foretell what happens on Saturday with the Heisman as well.
Check out the list of college football awards below, including the finalists for each, and the winners of some that have already been announced.
We will update this list as the results are revealed this evening.
AP Player of the Year
Winner: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Daniels received 35 of 51 first-place votes and 130 overall points from the top 25 voters in the AP poll. The Heisman Trophy finalist finished comfortably ahead of Penix, who finished second with 15 first-place votes and 97 points. Knicks ranked third, while Harrison ranked fourth Oklahoma State Running back Ollie Gordon II Fifth. Read more.
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Best Midfielder)
Winner: Jayden Daniels, LSU
Davey O’Brien Award (Best QB)
Winner: Jayden Daniels, LSU
This was the first award to be announced on Friday evening, continuing the trend of previously announced awards mentioned above. This should come as no surprise when looking at Daniel’s season. While the Tigers went just 9-3, Daniels compiled 4,946 total yards — 3,812 passing yards and 1,134 rushing yards. The rushing numbers are especially impressive for a QB. In fact, Daniels is the No. 22 player in the country and the only quarterback ranked in the top 25.
Maxwell Award (Player of the Year)
Finalists: Jayden Daniels, LSU; Michael Penix Jr., Washington; Beau Nix, Oregon
Walter Camp Player of the Year
Finalists: Jayden Daniels, LSU; Michael Penix Jr., Washington; Beau Nix, Oregon
Bronko Nagorski Award (FWAA Defensive Player of the Year)
Winner: Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Lombardi Award (Outstanding College Football Player)
Winner: Laiato Lato, EDGE, UCLA
Butkus Award (top linebacker)
Winner: Payton Wilson, North Carolina State
Chuck Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year, governed by Maxwell Club)
Winner: Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State
Having previously been honored with the Butkus Award, Wilson added the Bednarik Award to his trophy on Friday. He was a tackling machine for the Wolfpack, racking up 138 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder even had three interceptions.
Biletnikoff Award (Distinguished Recipient)
Winner: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Harrison was a dominant force in the Buckeyes’ offense, making 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. The powerful 6-foot-4 dugout showed off the elusiveness of a much smaller man, making him a likely high pick in next spring’s NFL Draft.
Doc Walker Award (Best Comeback)
Finalists: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State; Omarion Hampton, North Carolina; Cody Schrader, Missouri
John Mackey Award (Outstanding Tight End)
Finalists: Brooke Powers, Georgia; Dallin Holker, Colorado State; (Kid Stover in Ohio).
Jim Thorpe Award (Best Defensive Back)
Finalists: Cooper Dejean, Iowa; Owners of Starks, Georgia; Trey Taylor, Air Force
William V. Cup. Campbell (Heisman Academician)
Winner: Bo Nix, Oregon
Rimington Trophy (Outstanding Placement)
Finalists: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon; Drake Nugent, Michigan; Cedric Van Pran, Georgia
Outland Trophy Award (Most Outstanding Interior Lineman)
Finalists: Joe Alt, Notre Dame; Cooper Beebe, Kansas State; (T Funder Suite, Texas).
Ted Hendricks Award (Best Defensive End)
Finalists: Jonah Ellis, Utah; Galen Green, James Madison; Laiato Lato, University of California
Paul Hornung Award (Most Versatile Player)
winner: Travis Hunter (CB/WR), Colorado
Burlsworth Cup (best previous round)
Winner: Cody Schrader, RB, Missouri
Wuerffel Cup (Community Service Award)
Winner: Ladd McConkey, Georgia
Ray Jay Award (Gambler of the Year)
Finalists: Matt Highball, Vanderbilt; Alex Mastromano, Florida State; Tori Taylor, Iowa
Lou Groza Award (Outstanding Venue Owner)
Finalists: Graham Nicholson, Miami (Ohio); Jose Pizano, UNLV; Will Richard, Alabama
Home Depot Coach of the Year
Winner: TBD
Eddie Robinson (FWAA Coach of the Year)
Winner: TBD
Broyles Award (Best Assistant Coach)
Winner: Phil Parker, defensive coordinator, Iowa State
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