College football‘s brightest stars take center stage this weekend, as the sport’s best athletes will be honored with some big-time hardware.
The main event comes on Saturday, when the Heisman Trophy will be awarded to one of four finalists who dominated on the gridiron this season — Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr., or Oregon QB Bo Nix.
[2023 Heisman Trophy: The case for each finalist to win]
But Friday night is a wonderful precursor to that, with a host of other key honors being handed out, including awards for top quarterback, running back, wide receiver, lineman and more.
A couple of these awards could foreshadow what happens on Saturday with the Heisman as well.
Check out the list of college football awards below, including finalists for each, and the winners of some that have already been announced.
We’ll update this list as the results are revealed this evening.
AP Player of the Year
Winner: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Daniels received 35 of the 51 first-place votes and 130 total points from AP Top 25 poll voters. The Heisman Trophy finalist finished comfortably ahead of Penix, who was second with 15 first-place votes and 97 points. Nix was third, with Harrison fourth and Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II fifth. Read more.
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (top upperclassman quarterback)
Winner: Jayden Daniels, LSU
Davey O’Brien Award (Best QB)
Winner: Jayden Daniels, LSU
This was the first award announced Friday evening, continuing the trend from the previously announced awards listed above. And this shouldn’t be a surprise when looking at Daniel’s season. While the Tigers went just 9-3, Daniels compiled 4,946 total yards — 3,812 yards passing and 1,134 yards rushing. The rushing numbers are particularly impressive for a QB. In fact, Daniels is the nation’s 22nd-leading rusher and the only quarterback ranked among the top 25.
Maxwell Award (player of the year)
Finalists: Jayden Daniels, LSU; Michael Penix Jr., Washington; Bo Nix, Oregon
Walter Camp Player of the Year
Finalists: Jayden Daniels, LSU; Michael Penix Jr., Washington; Bo Nix, Oregon
Bronko Nagurski Trophy (defensive player of the year, judged by FWAA)
Winner: Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Lombardi Award (outstanding college football lineman)
Winner: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
Butkus Award (top linebacker)
Winner: Payton Wilson, North Carolina State
Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year, judged 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 case on Friday. He was a tackling machine for the Wolfpack, notching 138 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder even had three interceptions.
Belitnikoff Award (outstanding receiver)
Winner: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Harrison was the dominant force in the Buckeyes offense, making 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. And the powerful 6-foot-4 hideout displayed the shiftiness of a much smaller man, likely making him a high pick in the NFL Draft in the coming spring.
Doak Walker Award (best running back)
Finalists: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State; Omarion Hampton, North Carolina; Cody Schrader, Missouri
John Mackey Award (outstanding tight end)
Finalists: Brock Bowers, Georgia; Dallin Holker, Colorado State; Cade Stover, Ohio State
Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back)
Finalists: Cooper DeJean, Iowa; Malaki Starks, Georgia; Trey Taylor, Air Force
William V. Campbell Trophy (academic Heisman)
Winner: Bo Nix, Oregon
Rimington Trophy (outstanding center)
Finalists: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon; Drake Nugent, Michigan; Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia
Outland Trophy (most outstanding interior lineman)
Finalists: Joe Alt, Notre Dame; Cooper Beebe, Kansas State; T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
Ted Hendricks Award (top defensive end)
Finalists: Jonah Elliss, Utah; Jalen Green, James Madison; Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player)
Winner: Travis Hunter (CB/WR), Colorado
Burlsworth Trophy (Top former walk-on)
Winner: Cody Schrader, RB, Missouri
Wuerffel Trophy (community service award)
Winner: Ladd McConkey, Georgia
Ray Guy Award (punter of the year)
Finalists: Matt Hayball, Vanderbilt; Alex Mastromanno, Florida State; Tory Taylor, Iowa
Lou Groza Award (outstanding place-kicker)
Finalists: Graham Nicholson, Miami (Ohio); Jose Pizano, UNLV; Will Reichard, Alabama
The Home Depot Coach of the Year
Winner: TBD
Eddie Robinson (coach of the year, judged by FWAA)
Winner: TBD
Broyles Award (top assistant coach)
Winner: Phil Parker, defensive coordinator, Iowa
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