Alabama Football Awards for 2014 Season

The Alabama football season isn't quite over yet. Some would say it's just beginning.

But as players finish final exams this week, and there's a little break before College Football Playoff practice begins, now seems like a good time to hand out some season awards.

The football team had its team banquet the Sunday night after the SEC Championship Game, where it gave out its long list of awards.

Here are Bleacher Report's awards for the 2014 Alabama football team.

Game of the Year

LSU, November 9

Alabama's dream season looked like it would finally come to an end.

T.J. Yeldon's fumble on the goal line gave LSU the ball deep in Alabama territory, where it capitalized to take a three-point lead with just 50 seconds left.

But Blake Sims drove Alabama down the field to tie the game and send it to overtime, where Sims threw the game-winning touchdown pass to DeAndrew White.

It was a heart-stopping game in a season full of them.

Honorable mentions: Texas A&M, October 18; Auburn, November 29

Play of the Year

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Landon Collins intercepts Arkansas' Brandon Allen

Ask any Alabama football player what the turning point was in the 2014 season, and they'll all have the same answer.

Alabama's 14-13 win over Arkansas wasn't pretty by any standard. But Landon Collins' interception late to seal a win sent a wave of emotion through the Alabama sideline, and players streamed out onto the field in celebration.

From that point on, coaches and players say, the team played with more passion and not so tight and scared to lose.

"Just getting that W, if they would have got that first down, we don’t know what could happen," Collins said.

"We were only up by a point, and if they get in field-goal range, they could have took it in and beat us. So very important. And it showed our team that we have a lot of stuff to work on, but we know how to fight through regardless of the fact or the circumstances we’re in. That’s what we proved that day, and since then we’ve just been constantly working."

Honorable mentions: Blake Sims' touchdown pass to DeAndrew White at LSU; Blake Sims' touchdown run against Texas A&M

Assistant Coach of the Year

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Lane Kiffin

This one isn't really a contest.

Kiffin had more influence on his team this year than any assistant coach in the country. He changed Alabama's offense and made it more explosive all with a first-year starter at quarterback. He was named a Broyles Award finalist for his efforts.

There were a lot of people questioning the Kiffin hire when it was initially made. Nobody is questioning it anymore.

Honorable mentions: defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, wide receivers coach Billy Napier

Best Interview

Defensive back Cyrus Jones

It can be tough having to answer questions every week—sometimes multiple times a week—about your team from the local and national media.

Most players don't like to do it at all, especially considering the scrutiny they're put under with Nick Saban's strict media policies.

So it's appreciated when a player regularly makes himself available and gives thoughtful answers to questions.

For his efforts, the Alabama beat writers voted Cyrus Jones the winner of the first ever Alabama Media "Good Guy" Award.

Honorable mentions: LB Reggie Ragland, TE Brian Vogler, OL Ryan Kelly, OL Austin Shepherd

Freshman of the Year

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Left tackle Cam Robinson

No freshman made a more immediate or consistent impact than left tackle Cam Robinson.

The former 5-star recruit from Louisiana was Alabama's starter from day one and became arguably the Crimson Tide's best offensive lineman.

He helped keep Blake Sims upright and helped lead the way for Alabama's running backs. And his presence was sorely missed twice when he suffered minor injuries.

Honorable mentions: P JK Scott, CB Tony Brown, LB Rashaan Evans, WR Cam Sims

Most Improved Player

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Safety Nick Perry

Last year, presumably his senior year, Perry suffered a shoulder injury in practice that ended his season. But he got a medical redshirt and is now one of Alabama's most consistent defensive backs.

He had never been a full-time starter before this year, but Perry is enjoying a breakout last half of the season.

Perry registered at least eight tackles in Alabama's last eight SEC regular-season games. He had a crucial pass breakup in overtime against LSU and game-changing interceptions against Auburn and Mississippi State. 

“It’s just all coming to me," Perry said. "I had a year off football, and it took me a while to get back used to it, and I just feel like I’m getting more comfortable out there and playing with more confidence.”

Honorable mentions: CB Cyrus Jones, LG Arie Kouandjio

Unsung Hero

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Punter JK Scott

As crazy as it sounds, there's an argument to be made that JK Scott was Alabama's best player at his position this season.

As a true freshman, he averaged almost 47 yards per punt, third nationally in that category. Twenty-six of his 48 punts were downed inside an opponent's 20-yard line.

Scott is a Ray Guy Award finalist and could be one for all four years he is in school.

Honorable mentions: S Jarrick Williams, RT Austin Shepherd

Offensive MVP

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Wide receiver Amari Cooper

No player has been as dominant every time he stepped onto the field as Cooper. As a result, Cooper had a monster year in which he wrote almost the entire Alabama receiving record books.

Cooper now owns Alabama records for receptions in a game, season and career; yards in a game, season and career; and touchdowns in a game, season and career.

He was named a Biletnikoff and Heisman Award finalist for his efforts.

Honorable mentions: RB T.J. Yeldon, QB Blake Sims

Defensive MVP

Butch Dill/Associated Press

Safety Landon Collins

Landon Collins has more than lived up to his 5-star rating out of high school. He's developed into Alabama's most dominant defender.

In his junior—and likely final—season, he started every game and led the team with 90 tackles, playing all over the field. He also caught three interceptions.

Honorable mentions: DL Jarran Reed, LB Trey DePriest, LB Reggie Ragland

Team MVP

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Quarterback Blake Sims

Blake Sims' emergence is a candidate for the best story in all of college football.

Sims, a fifth-year senior who had bounced around from several positions before landing at quarterback, was largely written off when Jake Coker transferred in from Florida State with all the hype in the world.

But Sims grabbed the starting job by the horns and never looked back, becoming one of the nation's top passers in Lane Kiffin's offense.

His success has been paramount to Alabama's success and earns him the overall team MVP.

Honorable mentions: WR Amari Cooper, S Landon Collins, LT Cam Robinson

Marc Torrence is the Alabama lead writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Follow on Twitter @marctorrence.