Is the Heisman Trophy heading to Louisiana? It certainly looked like that Friday night after LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels dominated his rivals and won one of college football’s top awards.
Daniels, a native of San Bernardino, Calif., who transferred to LSU from Arizona State in 2022, was named the Walter Camp Player of the Year and won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (senior quarterback). He also won the Davey O’Brien Award (best QB). He was named the AP Player of the Year on Thursday.
However, it wasn’t all victory for Daniels, as Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. won the Maxwell Award (Player of the Year).
[2023 Heisman Trophy: The case for each finalist to win]
Daniels, Penix, Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will compete for college football’s highest individual honor, the Heisman Trophy, on Saturday.
Based on the results of Friday night’s awards, Daniels appears to be the clear favorite to win.
Several other awards were presented Friday, including the Belitnikov Award (top receiver), the Doak Walker Award (top running back) and the Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year).
Scroll down to see the winners.
Walter Camp Player of the Year Award
Winner: Jayden Daniels, LSU
Penix was named the starting quarterback on the Walter Camp All-America team, but it was Daniels who won the Player of the Year award. The Tigers went just 9-3 this season, but Daniels had 3,812 passing yards and 1,134 rushing yards for a total of 4,946 yards. His rushing numbers are especially impressive for a QB. In fact, Daniels is the No. 22 rusher in the nation and the only quarterback ranked in the top 25.
Maxwell Award (Player of the Year)
Winner: Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Penix was the driving force behind the Huskies’ Pac-12 title and College Football Playoff berth, leading the nation in passing yards (4,218) and scoring 33 touchdowns.
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Senior Quarterback Award)
Winner: Jayden Daniels, LSU
Davey O’Brien Award (Best QB)
Winner: Jayden Daniels, LSU
AP Player of the Year
Winner: Jaden Daniels, QB, LSU
Daniels received 35 of 51 first-place votes from the Associated Press Top 25 voters for a total of 130 points. The Heisman Trophy finalist easily won over second-place Penix with 15 first-place votes and 97 points. Knicks took third place and Harrison took fourth place. oklahoma run back Olly Gordon II Fifth. read more.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Defensive Player of the Year judged by the FWAA)
Winner: Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Lombardi Award (Outstanding College Football Lineman)
Winner: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
Ted Hendricks Award (Top Defensive End)
Winner: Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Butkus Award (Top Linebacker)
Winner: Peyton Wilson, North Carolina
Chuck Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year judged by Maxwell Club)
Winner: Peyton Wilson, LB, NC State
Wilson, who previously won the Butkus Award, added the Bednarik Award to his trophy case on Friday. He was a tackling machine for the Wolfpack, recording 138 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. At 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, he had three interceptions.
Belitnikov Award (Outstanding Winner)
Winner: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Harrison was a dominant force in the Buckeyes’ offense, recording 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. The powerful 6-foot-4 wideout has shown the agility of a much smaller player and is likely to be a top pick in next spring’s NFL Draft.
John Mackey Award (Outstanding Tight End)
Winner: Brock Bowers (Georgia)
Bowers also won the award last year, making him the first recipient of the award for the second time. Despite missing three games with injury, he led all tight ends in receptions (56).
Home Depot Coach of the Year
Winner: Karen DeBoer, Washington
DeBoer’s Huskies went 13-0, became Pac-12 champions and qualified for the College Football Playoff. The Huskies went 11-2 last season, but have gone 24-2 in two seasons under DeBoer.
Eddie Robinson (FWAA-judged Coach of the Year)
Winners will be announced on December 20th.
Broyles Award (Top Assistant Coach)
Winner: Phil Parker, defensive coordinator, Iowa State.
Jim Thorpe Award (Best Defensive Back)
Winner: Trey Taylor, Air Force
Taylor recorded 71 tackles and three interceptions, becoming the first Air Force player to win the award. He also hopes to become Air Force’s first defensive back drafted.
Paul Hornung Award (Most Versatile Player)
winner: Travis Hunter (CB/WR), Colorado
Colorado’s two-way phenom ranks third on the team in receptions (57 yards), second in receiving yards (721) and first in interceptions (three) despite missing three games due to injury. It became Thailand.
Doak Walker Award (Best Running Back)
Winner: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State University
Gordon led the nation in rushing this season, gaining 1,614 yards on just 19 carries in the Cowboys’ first three games. His midseason appearance helped Oklahoma State advance to the Big 12 Championship Game.
Burlsworth Trophy (former walk-on top)
Winner: Cody Schrader, RB, Missouri State
disney spirit award
Winner: Brian Dooley, OL, Eastern Michigan
Dooley, a starting offensive lineman, offered a scholarship to a walk-on teammate who was juggling multiple jobs. Read more about his story here.
Rimington Trophy (Outstanding Center)
Winner: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon State
Outland Trophy (Most Outstanding Interior Lineman)
Winner: T’Vondre Sweat (Texas)
Sweat was a force in the middle of the Longhorns’ defensive line. The 6-foot-3, 340-pounder had eight tackles for loss and two sacks. His ability to take on blockers made Texas his third-best run defense in the nation, allowing just 80.8 yards per game on the ground.
William V. Campbell Trophy (Academic Heisman)
Winner: Bo Nix, Oregon
Würfel Trophy (Social Contribution Award)
Winner: Ladd McConkie, Georgia
Lou Groza Award (Outstanding Placekicker)
Winner: Graham Nicholson, Miami (Ohio)
Ray Guy Award (Punter of the Year)
Winner: Tori Taylor (Iowa State)
The Australian, the first Hawkeye player to win the award, may have been the team’s most important player. Taylor used his strong legs to help control the battle for field position on a team that relied heavily on defense and special teams.
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