Predicting the Winners of Every Major 2012 College Football Award

It's July, which means it's time to start talking about potential college football award winners for the upcoming 2012 season. 

That's because the watch lists for many of college football's most prestigious awards were published over the last few weeks. 

Admittedly, it's hard to tell much from those lists, which can include anywhere from 20 to 80 players. However, at least it gives fans something to discuss and debate during the final few weeks before the season starts. 

Obviously, the Heisman Trophy is the award that receives the most attention, but if you've ever watched the annual college football awards show in December, you know that there are plenty of other notable honors that are handed out as well. 

With so many great players returning this year, it's hard to pinpoint just who exactly will end up with the sport's most recognizable trophies by the time the season's done.

Nevertheless, here are some early predictions and a look at the top candidates for every major 2012 college football award. 

Heisman Trophy: Aaron Murray, Georgia

USC quarterback Matt Barkley is the early consensus pick to win the 2012 Heisman Trophy.

The fact is, however, that we haven't seen a preseason favorite actually end up with college football's most prestigious award in quite a few years, and that trend likely won't change this season. 

Instead, the quarterback who seems to have the best chance of taking home the award is Georgia's Aaron Murray. 

Like Barkley, Murray led his team to 10 wins and a division title in 2011, and he showed signs that he's ready to ascend to elite status this year. 

The 6'1'', 211-pound junior threw for over 3,100 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2011, and he'll now return to lead a team that will be ranked in the top 10 in the preseason polls and be the favorite to make it back to the SEC championship game out of the East division. 

Murray has one of the nation's most talented receiver corps at his disposal, and he also has one of college football's most loaded defenses to help him out. 

If he can guide the Bulldogs to an SEC championship and put up strong numbers along the way, Murray will likely find himself sitting in New York City in December with a great shot to win the 2012 Heisman Trophy.

Heisman Trophy: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Collin Klein, Kansas State

2. Matt Barkley, USC

3. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

4. E.J. Manuel, Florida State

5. Kenjon Barner, Oregon

6. Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech

7. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

8. Montee Ball, Wisconsin

9. Geno Smith, West Virginia

10. Landry Jones, Oklahoma 

Walter Camp Award: Matt Barkley, USC

Last year, the Walter Camp Award, which is annually given to college football's "Player of the Year" served as a consolation prize for Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.

That's because Luck ultimately failed in his quest to win the 2011 Heisman Trophy. 

We could see something similar this season with USC quarterback Matt Barkley. 

If Barkley ends up getting surpassed in the Heisman race by a player such as Georgia QB Aaron Murray, he could still hold out hope to win another prominent prize such as the Walter Camp Award, the Maxwell Award or even the Davey O'Brien Award. 

Barkley is undoubtedly one of college football's best overall players, and he should once again put together the type of performance to wow voters for other awards, even if he does come up short in the Heisman race. 

Walter Camp Award: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

2. Aaron Murray, Georgia

3. Collin Klein, Kansas State

4. Kenjon Barner, Oregon

5. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

6. E.J. Manuel, Florida State

7. Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech

8. Geno Smith, West Virginia

9. Montee Ball, Wisconsin

10. Landry Jones, Oklahoma 

Maxwell Award: Collin Klein, Kansas State

Although Kansas State probably won't win enough games or climb high enough in the polls for quarterback Collin Klein to win the Heisman Trophy this year, it wouldn't be surprising if Klein puts together the best individual performance of any player in college football in 2012. 

In his first season as a starter last year, Klein became one of the biggest breakout stars in the nation. He totaled over 3,000 yards of offense and accounted for 40 of his team's 52 touchdowns, as he surprisingly led the Wildcats to 10 wins and a top-15 national ranking. 

The 6'5'', 226-pound dual-threat signal caller proved to be one of the most dangerous running quarterbacks in college football, and the scary part is that he's only going to get better now that he has a year of experience. 

Big 12 quarterbacks like Oklahoma's Landry Jones and West Virginia's Geno Smith are the ones that are hogging up most of the preseason accolades right now.

However, Klein will likely be the quarterback who garners most of the attention once the season starts and he's able to unleash his full array of skills yet again this year.

If he improves as a passer this offseason, Klein should be one of the biggest stars and one of the most productive players of the 2012 season. 

Maxwell Award: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Aaron Murray, Georgia

2. Matt Barkley, USC

3. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

4. E.J. Manuel, Florida State

5. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

6. Keenan Allen, California

7. Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech

8. Kenjon Barner, Oregon

9. Geno Smith, West Virginia 

10. Montee Ball, Wisconsin

Davey O’Brien Award: Aaron Murray, Georgia

Last year, Robert Griffin III won both the Heisman Trophy and the Davey O'Brien Award, which is handed out to the best quarterback in college football. 

This year, I expect Georgia's Aaron Murray to win both awards just like Griffin did in 2011. 

Murray is one of the best pure passers in all of college football, and he's the type of poised veteran leader who can guide his team to both an SEC championship and a national title in 2012. 

Davey O’Brien Award: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Matt Barkley, USC

2. Collin Klein, Kansas State

3. E.J. Manuel, Florida State

4. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

5. Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech

6. Geno Smith, West Virginia

7. Landry Jones, Oklahoma 

8. James Franklin, Missouri

9. Denard Robinson, Michigan

10. Tyler Bray, Tennessee

Doak Walker Award: Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

The SEC produced last year's Doak Walker Award winner, Alabama's Trent Richardson.

The conference will likely be home to the 2012 award winner as well if South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore's knee holds up this season. 

Lattimore is clearly the most talented running back in all of college football, but no one knows for sure just how he'll bounce back after tearing a ligament in his knee midway through last season. 

If the powerful 6'0'', 218-pound junior performs like the player we saw before the injury, he should have a monster comeback campaign in 2012. 

Although he's only played in 20 career games in his collegiate career, Lattimore's still managed to rush for over 2,000 yards, catch 38 passes for 594 yards and score 30 total touchdowns during his time in Columbia.

If his knee is back to full strength, Lattimore should be the most dominant back in college football in 2012. 

Doak Walker Award: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Kenjon Barner, Oregon

2. Montee Ball, Wisconsin

3. Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State

4. Knile Davis, Arkansas

5. Giovani Bernard, North Carolina

6. Rex Burkhead, Nebraska

7. Stepfan Taylor, Stanford

8. Andre Ellington, Clemson

9. John White, Utah

10. Ray Graham, Pittsburgh 

Biletnikoff Award: Keenan Allen, California

Now that two-time Biletnikoff Award winner Justin Blackmon has moved on to the NFL, the title of "college football's best wide receiver" is officially up for grabs. 

There will be plenty of terrific pass-catchers who will be vying for that honor in 2012, but no other receiver in the country can truly compare to Cal's Keenan Allen. 

Allen is a rare physical specimen who managed to raise his game to an elite level last season. 

The 6'3'', 210-pound junior hauled in 98 passes for 1,343 yards and six touchdowns and 2011, and he proved to be an almost unstoppable force in the passing game. 

The future top-10 NFL draft pick belongs in the conversation with other recent college receiving greats such as Blackmon, A.J. Green, Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson, and he'll have the chance to truly assert his dominance for the whole college football world to see in 2012. 

Biletnikoff Award: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Marqise Lee, USC

2. Sammy Watkins, Clemson

3. Da’Rick Rogers, Tennessee

4. Robert Woods, USC

5. Terrance Williams, Baylor

6. Marquess Wilson, Washington State

7. Tavon Austin, West Virginia

8. Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas

9. Josh Boyce, TCU

10. Ryan Swope, Texas A&M

Outland Trophy: Alex Hurst, LSU

A lineman from either LSU or Alabama has won the Outland Trophy three out of the last five years, including last season when Bama's Barrett Jones claimed the award. 

This year, the Tigers and the Tide will once again have two of the strongest and most talented offensive lines in college football, and there will be plenty of worthy candidates on both squads competing for the Trophy.

The LSU lineman who probably has the best chance to unseat Jones is right tackle Alex Hurst. 

Hurst is entering his third season as a starter for the Tigers, and he'll be counted on to be the leader in the trenches this season. 

The 6'6'', 340-pound senior will be opening up holes for the deepest group of running backs in the country, and the team should have no trouble piling up plenty of yards on the ground this season.

Look for the first-team All-SEC performer to become one of the most talked-about lineman in the country in 2012.

By the time the regular season concludes, Hurst should be right in the mix to win the Outland Trophy.

Outland Trophy: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M

2. Barrett Jones, Alabama

3. Taylor Lewan, Michigan

4. Chris Faulk, LSU

5. Star Lotulelei, Utah

6. D.J. Fluker, Alabama

7. Khaled Holmes, USC

8. Travis Frederick, Wisconsin

9. Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State

10. Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma

Bednarik Award: Sam Montgomery, LSU

LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu won the Bednarik Award last year, which is given to the best defensive player in the country. However, the reality was that Mathieu wasn't even the best player on the Tigers defense. 

That honor belonged to defensive end Sam Montgomery, who solidified his status as college football's top defensive end by racking up nine sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss last year. 

Although Mathieu received most of the attention and publicity, it was Montgomery who was the true MVP of LSU's defense. 

The Tigers should have college football's most dominant defense in 2012, and it will be interesting to see if Montgomery will finally get the respect he deserves as the best defensive player in the country.

Bednarik Award: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Jarvis Jones, Georgia

2. Chris Borland, Wisconsin 

3. Eric Reid, LSU

4. Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

5. Kenny Vaccaro, Texas

6. Tyrann Mathieu, LSU

7. William Gholston, Michigan State

8. Dion Bailey, USC

9. Nico Johnson, Alabama

10. John Boyett, Oregon

Jim Thorpe Award: Kenny Vaccaro, Texas

LSU has produced the last two Jim Thorpe Award winners—cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Patrick Peterson—and many analysts will likely be forecasting current cornerback Tyrann Mathieu to be the one who takes home the award in 2012.

Instead, however, it will probably be Mathieu's teammate, safety Eric Reid, who will be the Tiger defensive back that will have the best chance to get his hands on the trophy.

Reid will face some stiff competition, though, especially from Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro. 

Vaccaro is coming off a brilliant junior season, in which he notched 82 total tackles, picked off two passes, broke up another eight throws and had two sacks. 

This year, the 6'1'', 218-pound senior will be the face of one of college football's strongest secondaries, which also includes the dynamic cornerback duo of Quandre Diggs and Carrington Byndom. 

Like LSU, Texas produced consecutive Jim Thorpe Award winners back in 2005 and 2006 when Michael Huff and Aaron Williams won the trophies in succession.

Now, it looks like Vaccaro will have a great shot to add some more hardware to the school's trophy case in 2012. 

Jim Thorpe Award: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Eric Reid, LSU

2. Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State

3. David Amerson, N.C. State

4. Tyrann Mathieu, LSU

5. John Boyett, Oregon

6. Merrill Noel, Wake Forest

7. Nigel Malone, Kansas State

8. Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma

9. Nickell Robey, USC

10. Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State

Butkus Award: Chris Borland, Wisconsin

Luke Kuechly won't be back to defend the Butkus Award this season, but there are still plenty of great linebackers that will contend for the honor in 2012. 

The one linebacker who could have the biggest impact this year is Wisconsin's Chris Borland. 

Last year, Borland returned from a shoulder injury that cut his 2010 season short and he certainly didn't show any signs of rust.

The 5'11'', 245-pound junior ended up finishing tied for seventh in the country with 143 total tackles, and he also compiled 2.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions. 

The former Big Ten Freshman of the Year will now be looking to step up and prove that he's college football's best overall linebacker.

Given his tremendous radar for finding the football and taking down ball carriers, Borland should have no trouble racking up plenty of tackles once again in 2012.

Butkus Award: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

2. Jarvis Jones, Georgia

3. Dion Bailey, USC

4. Arthur Brown, Kansas State

5. Denicos Allen, Michigan State

6. Nico Johnson, Alabama

7. Shayne Skov, Stanford

8. Tom Wort, Oklahoma

9. Kevin Reddick, North Carolina

10. Jonathan Bostic, Florida

Bronko Nagurski Trophy: Chris Borland, Wisconsin

Technically, every defensive player is eligible to win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, but the award has gone to either a defensive lineman or a linebacker in each of the past nine years. 

This year, it wouldn't be surprising to see Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland capture both the Butkus Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, just as former Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly did last year. 

Like Kuechly, Borland is a true tackling machine and he'll have the benefit of being one of the spotlight players for a Wisconsin team that will be competing for its third straight Big Ten championship in 2012. 

That should certainly enhance his national visibility this season. 

Bronko Nagurski Trophy: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas

2. Sam Montgomery, LSU

3. Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

4. Bjoern Werner, Florida State

5. Jarvis Jones, Georgia 

6. Star Lotulelei, Utah

7. Jadeveon Clowney,South Carolina

8. William Gholston, Michigan State 

9. Barkevious Mingo, LSU

10. Dion Bailey, USC

Rotary Lombardi Award: Bjoern Werner, Florida State

I wouldn't be surprised if Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland pulled off a sweep and took home the Rotary Lombardi Award as well in 2012.

The problem is, even though linebacker Luke Kuechly won the award last year, Lombardi voters usually tend to favor defensive linemen over linebackers, as evidenced by the fact that 11 of the last 13 winners have either been defensive tackles or defensive ends. 

That's why I think that the race for this year's award will likely come down to the two best defensive ends in college football—LSU's Sam Montgomery and Florida State's Bjoern Werner. 

Montgomery will certainly have a legitimate shot, but it would also really be nice to see Werner receive the rightful recognition that he deserves. 

The 6'4'', 265-pound junior is one of the strongest, smartest and most instinctive defenders in the country, and he seems like he's ready to have a supremely dominant campaign in 2012. 

Last year, the German native had six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, and Werner should now be ready to emerge as one of the biggest defensive difference makers in the country in 2012. 

Rotary Lombardi Award: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Sam Montgomery, LSU

2. Chris Borland, Wisconsin 

3. Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina

4. Star Lotulelei, Utah

5. John Jenkins, Georgia 

6. William Gholston, Michigan State

7. Corey Lemonier, LSU

8. Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

9. Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State

10. Jesse Williams, Alabama

Rimington Trophy: Barrett Jones, Alabama

Not only is Alabama's Barrett Jones one of the most talented offensive linemen in college football, he's also one of the most versatile as well. 

After switching from guard to left tackle for the 2011 season, Jones will now make the transition to center to take over for the departed William Vlachos. 

Jones will enter this season as the clear-cut favorite to win the Rimington Trophy, which is handed out to college football's best center. 

It ultimately should be very interesting to see how the defending Outland Trophy winner handles the switch to his new position in 2012. 

Rimington Trophy: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Jonotthan Harrison, Florida

2. Khaled Holmes, USC

3. Travis Frederick, Wisconsin

4. Patrick Lewis, Texas A&M

5. Ben Habern, Oklahoma

6. Braxston Cave, Notre Dame

7. Travis Swanson, Arkansas

8. Reese Dismukes, Auburn

9. Dalton Freeman, Clemson

10. Hroniss Grasu, Oregon

John Mackey Award: Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame

College Football lost a lot of its top tight ends to the NFL this offseason. Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen, Orson Charles, Michael Egnew and Ladarius Green all made the move up to the pros.

However, there are still plenty of players at the position to watch during the 2012 season. 

The top tight end in the country appears to be Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert. 

Last year, Eifert led all tight ends with 63 catches for 803 yards and he also caught five touchdowns. 

The 6'6'', 251-pound junior is a perfect fit for Notre Dame's spread offense, and now that star receiver Michael Floyd is gone, he'll be the focal point of the passing game in 2012. 

Look for Eifert to once again put up the best numbers out of any tight end in the country, and right now, he looks to be the undisputed early favorite to win the John Mackey Award this season. 

John Mackey Award: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington

2. Levine Toilolo, Stanford

3. Chris Gragg, Arkansas

4. Joseph Fauria, UCLA

5. Michael Williams, Alabama

6. Philip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn

7. Jacob Pedersen, Wisconsin

8. Jordan Reed, Florida

9. C.J. Feidorowicz, Iowa

10. Luke Wilson, Rice

Ted Hendricks Award: Sam Montgomery, LSU

The Ted Hendricks Award is handed out to college football's top defensive end.

There will certainly be plenty of candidates to choose from this year, as the sport is absolutely loaded with great pass rushers for the 2012 season. 

While there are plenty of ends out there that will likely ascend to national star status this year, the one end that should make the most noise is LSU's Sam Montgomery. 

Montgomery will now enter his third season as a starter, looking to solidify his status as college football's premier defensive end, as well as looking to show scouts that he's worthy of being a top-10 pick in next year's NFL draft. 

Last year, the 6'4'', 245-pound junior racked up nine sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. Now, he'll once again be on the hunt for quarterbacks, as he joins teammate Barkevious Mingo to give LSU the most dangerous defensive-end duo in the country for the 2012 season. 

Ted Hendricks Award: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Bjoern Werner, Florida State

2. Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina

3. Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas

4. Barkevious Mingo, LSU

5. William Gholston, Michigan State

6. Alex Okafor, Texas

7. Corey Lemonier, Auburn

8. Devin Taylor, South Carolina

9. Michael Buchanan, Illinois

10. Dion Jordan, Oregon

Lou Groza Award: Dustin Hopkins, Florida State

Florida State has three Lou Groza winners in the program's history—Sebastian Janikowski won consecutive awards in 1998 and 1999, and Graham Gano took home the trophy back in 2008. 

The Seminoles will have another strong candidate this season in Dustin Hopkins. 

Hopkins nailed 22 of his 28 field-goal attempts last year, including seven kicks of 40 yards or more, and he also was a perfect 44-for-44 on his extra-point tries. 

The senior kicker has one of the strongest and most accurate legs in college football, and he'll have plenty of chances to shine in 2012, playing for one of the spotlight teams in the country. 

Lou Groza Award: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Andre Heidari, USC

2. Caleb Sturgis, Florida

3. Dan Conroy, Michigan State

4. Drew Alleman, LSU

5. Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State

6. Maikon Bonani, South Florida

7. Chandler Catanzaro, Clemson

8. Brett Maher, Nebraska

9. Tyler Bitancurt, West Virginia

10. Michael Hunnicutt, Oklahoma

Ray Guy Award: Brad Wing, LSU

It was shocking that LSU punter Brad Wing wasn't even nominated to be at least a finalist for the Ray Guy Award last year, given the type of outstanding performance that Wing put together last season.

The Australian native averaged 44.3 yards per punt and routinely pinned opponents deep in their own territory in 2011.

Plus, he was responsible for what was probably the most impressive punt of the entire season—his 72-yard boomer in the fourth quarter of the "Game of the Century" against Alabama. 

Wing was one of the real unsung heroes during LSU's undefeated run through the regular season last year, but he should finally start to receive the attention he deserves in 2012. 

Ray Guy Award: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Ryan Allen, Louisiana Tech

2. Jackson Rice, Oregon

3. Jeff Locke, UCLA

4. Bobby Cowan, Idaho

5. Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma state

6. Dylan Breeding, Arkansas

7. Ian Campbell, UTEP

8. Brett Maher, Nebraska

9. Steven Clark, Auburn

10. Pat O’Donnell, Cincinnati

The Jet Award: De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon

The year 2011 was the first year of the new Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers Award, which was claimed by Arkansas WR Johnny Adams. 

There are a ton of talented kick and punt returners that are on display each and every college football season, so it's great to finally have an award that gives them some credit. 

This year, there will once again be plenty of exciting and explosive returners to watch out for, but the one player in particular that will be the most dangerous is Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas. 

Last season, Thomas put together a remarkable, eye-opening freshman campaign, in which he totaled 1,200 yards of total offense, scored 18 touchdowns and averaged 27.3 yards on kickoff returns. 

The 5'9'', 173-pound sophomore will now enter the 2012 season as one of the most feared all-purpose threats in the country.

Thomas has already proven that he's the type of speedy home-run threat that can bust a big play any time he gets the ball in his hands, and he's going to likely make opponents pay dearly any time they make the mistake of kicking to him this year. 

The Jet Award: 10 Other Top Candidates

1. Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State

2. Tavon Austin, West Virginia

3. Greg Reid, Florida State

4. Tyrann Mathieu, LSU

5. Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin

6. Jamal Miles, Arizona State

7. Dustin Harris, Texas A&M

8. Tracy Lampley, Southern Miss

9. Raheem Mostert, Purdue

10. George Atkinson III, Notre Dame