Favorites and Dark Horses for Every Major College Football Award in 2015

Postseason awards won't be handed out for another five months or so, but with so many preseason watch lists out there, it's never too early to start looking at the favorites and dark horses. 

Hence, we have the way-too-early favorites and long shots for each major award for the 2015 season. From the Heisman to the Hornung, we'll take a look at all of the individual honors and weigh which players have the best chances to win, as well as which players could surprise. 

Projections were made based on last season's production as well as historical trends for individual awards. 

Heisman Trophy

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Outstanding Player

Favorite: TCU QB Trevone Boykin

Boykin is currently the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman, according to OddsShark.com. But that's not the only reason he's our favorite. The reasons add up: He plays the right position in a stat-friendly offense on a team that's expected to be a playoff contender.

Boykin is easily one of the most-improved players in college football over the past year, averaging nearly 355 yards of total offense per game in 2014. The amazing thing is he can get even better.

"He's had a couple of the NFL guys, the gurus that wanted him to come work out with them this summer, and he told them all no," TCU head coach Gary Patterson said at Big 12 media days. "I think his biggest thing was staying with the offensive group this summer, making sure they were doing seven‑on‑seven, winning ball games."

Dark Horse: Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott

Prescott spent much of last season in the Heisman conversation thanks to his breakout performances and Mississippi State's banner year. However, expectations for the Bulldogs are low again this year, with many media members picking them last in the SEC's West Division. However, at least one person, CBS' Tom Fornelli, thinks Mississippi State is one of the most disrespected teams in college football.

Can Mississippi State surprise again? If the Bulldogs surpass expectations and get back to (or near) 10 wins, it would confirm that Prescott really is the nucleus of the team. 

Maxwell Award

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Outstanding Player

Favorite: USC QB Cody Kessler

With last year as an exception, the Maxwell Award for most outstanding player hasn't always gone the same direction as the Heisman. With that in mind, we'll go with Kessler as the early favorite to win the award if he doesn't take Heisman honors.

Kessler was one of the nation's most efficient quarterbacks a year ago, throwing 39 touchdowns to just five picks, and he won't enter the season overshadowed by anyone in the Pac-12. If Kessler can at least match his numbers from a year ago, he'll be in good position to take home some postseason hardware. 

Dark Horse: Arizona LB Scooby Wright III

Staying in the Pac-12, Wright could be an interesting dark-horse option for the Maxwell Award. Wright cleaned up on defensive awards last season after leading the nation in tackles. If he has another huge year, he may have some additional name recognition that could get him some individual awards that go beyond just defense. 

Walter Camp Award

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Player of the Year

Favorite: Georgia RB Nick Chubb

Chubb broke onto the scene a year ago as a freshman by taking on a prominent role in Georgia's offense while Todd Gurley sat with NCAA and injury-related issues. He quickly established himself as one of the top running backs in all of college football.

The Walter Camp award has had a strong quarterback theme to it over the past several years; the last running back to win it was Arkansas' Darren McFadden in 2007. But Chubb has that game-changing ability like McFadden did, so it's definitely possible. 

Dark Horse: Clemson QB Deshaun Watson

As mentioned above, the Walter Camp winners list is heavy on quarterbacks, but it hasn't always mirrored the Heisman winner. In some ways, then, the Walter Camp Award has had a "consolation prize" feel to it, even though the winner is deserving.

Watson, who is expected to have a breakout season as a full-time starter, would be a good candidate for the Walter Camp Award if he doesn't get enough Heisman votes. Watson is fully healthy after coming back from an ACL injury and should be able to put up huge stats in the Tigers' quarterback-friendly offense. 

Doak Walker Award

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National Running Back Award

Favorite: Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott

It feels odd to have Nick Chubb as a Walter Camp Award favorite and not identify him as the Doak Walker favorite for best running back, but award presentations can be funny like that.

No running back ended last season on a bigger roll than Elliott, who had three straight 200-yard games and eight rushing touchdowns. Elliott was overshadowed for much of last season by other outstanding Big Ten running backs, but that won't be the case this year. Elliott is emerging as one of the more well-rounded running backs in the game. 

Dark Horse: UCLA RB Paul Perkins

Perkins actually led the Pac-12 in rushing a year ago (1,575 yards) despite having 41 fewer carries than the next leading rusher, Devontae Booker from Utah. Perkins doesn't get a ton of recognition nationally—at least to the same degree as Chubb or Elliott—but he's every bit as productive.

UCLA could be an intriguing playoff team since most of its starters return in 2015. A surprising year by the Bruins and another big year from Perkins make him an easy dark-horse choice. 

Davey O'Brien Award

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National Quarterback Award

Favorite: TCU QB Trevone Boykin

Again, award season is funny. Some position awards don't always match up with bigger awards for outstanding player. However, the Davey O'Brien Award has matched up extremely well with the Heisman as of late. That's why Boykin, the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman, should be an early favorite for the O'Brien Award as well. Not to mention the Big 12 has a good track record with this award. 

Dark Horse: Tennessee QB Joshua Dobbs

Dobbs' postseason-award presence could depend largely on whether Tennessee truly becomes the breakout team of 2015. The Vols are a trendy SEC East pick, and a lot is expected of Dobbs, who finished the last half of the season 4-1 as a starter. 

Biletnikoff Award

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Outstanding Receiver

Favorite: Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell 

For the second year in a row, the wide receiver position across college football loses a ton of star power. As far as skill position awards go, the Biletnikoff is easily the most wide-open entering the year. However, this could be the second straight year an injured player comes back in a big way.

Last year, Amari Cooper returned from an injury-hampered 2013 season to win the Biletnikoff. In 2015, Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell cold return from a season-ending leg injury to have a huge year. There's no receiver in college football that has the same size and game-changing potential as Treadwell. The biggest question is who'll be the quarterback that gets him the ball. 

Dark Horse: Colorado State WR Rashard Higgins

Higgins was a Biletnikoff Award finalist last season after leading the country in receiving, and he deserves some recognition heading into this year. What Higgins needs to prove, though, is that last season wasn't a one-time thing. He'll have a couple of things going against him in 2015: a new quarterback and an offense that might not be as pass-friendly as the one Jim McElwain implemented a season ago. 

Mackey Award

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Outstanding Tight End

Favorite: Ole Miss TE Evan Engram

With Maxx Williams gone to the NFL, there aren't many household names at tight end this year. One of the few exceptions is Evan Engram at Ole Miss. In 2014, Engram was second on the team in receiving yards (662), but he only had two touchdowns. You'd like to see those touchdown numbers go up a bit if Engram is to have a legitimate shot to win this award. 

Dark Horse: Alabama TE O.J. Howard

Howard is a player that has all the talent in the world, but whose career hasn't quite taken off like expected. The former 5-star recruit, according to 247Sports, has just two career receiving touchdowns and caught 17 balls in 2014. However, with Amari Cooper gone and a new crop of receivers coming in this year, the Tide may look to a veteran, big-bodied player to make things happen in the passing game. That perfectly defines Howard, who was listed on ESPN's group of breakout players for 2015. 

Outland Trophy

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Outstanding Interior Lineman

Favorite: Baylor OT Spencer Drango

The Outland Trophy can go to either an offensive or defensive player, but it has been very kind to O-linemen in recent years.

There aren't many big uglies with more name recognition at the moment than Baylor's Spencer Drango. The senior is a longtime starter for the Bears with All-Big 12 and All-American honors on his resume. In 2013, the Bears offense really suffered when Drango was forced to miss the last four games of the season with a back injury, which showed just how valuable he was. 

Dark Horse: Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche

Nkemdiche's stats took a major hit in 2014 with his move from defensive end to defensive tackle. Unfortunately, the stat sheet is what many voters look at. However, Nkemdiche's influence on Ole Miss' front seven cannot be overstated, as he's a freak athlete who can plug running lanes in the interior of the line. If his stats do go up in '15, he might have a shot at winning the Outland. 

Lombardi/Rotary Award

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Outstanding Lineman

Favorite: Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith

Smith, along with Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa, has the chance to be the most decorated defensive player in college football this year. The junior is coming off a season in which he recorded more than 100 tackles, and he could very well be a first-round NFL draft selection in 2016. Two of the past three winners of the Lombardi Trophy have been of the linebacker variety, so Smith has some history on his side as well. 

Dark Horse: Michigan State DE Shilique Calhoun

Not too long ago, Calhoun was considered the best edge-rusher in the Big Ten. Then, Joey Bosa went out and had a 2014 effort for the ages. That's nothing against Calhoun, though, who remains one of the top defensive ends in all of college football. Bosa might be the preseason favorite to take home multiple awards, but Calhoun is talented and experienced enough to have a huge season himself. 

Rimington Trophy

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Outstanding Center

Favorite: USC C Max Tuerk 

USC's offensive line was painfully inexperienced last year, but Tuerk was one of the few veterans. The Trojans should be much improved up front in 2015, but Tuerk is still the cornerstone of this offense, perhaps just as much, if not more than quarterback Cody Kessler. Tuerk is a versatile lineman, having played every position in the trenches. 

Dark Horse: Michigan State C Jack Allen

Michigan State has been known for its stout defense under head coach Mark Dantonio, but the Spartans have fielded some fun offenses over the past couple of years as well. While many look to quarterback Connor Cook, center Jack Allen is a big reason why this offense scored 43 points per game in 2014.

Allen has started 30 career games at center and has several All-American honors to his name. If the Spartans offense picks up where it left off last year, Allen is going to deserve some serious consideration. 

Bednarik Award

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Defensive Player of the Year

Favorite: Ohio State DE Joey Bosa 

The Big Ten's top defensive lineman in 2014 returns as a possible top-five draft pick in 2016, according to B/R's Matt Miller. Bosa was one of the single most dominant defenders in college football last year. Coming off a national championship with the chance for a repeat, the spotlight is going to be on Bosa to put up big numbers again this year. With his quick first step and overwhelming power, Bosa is a nearly impossible edge defender to stop. 

Dark Horse: Virginia Tech DB Kendall Fuller

The last defensive back to win the Bednarik was LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu in 2011. The year before that, the Tigers had another Bednarik winner in defensive back Patrick Peterson. Still, it's not that common for a secondary defender to be named the best defensive player in college football, but Fuller has the potential.

Fuller is arguably the most well-rounded DB in the game, and he led the ACC with 15 passes broken up in 2014. If he wants to be known as the best defender in college football, though, his interception numbers will need to go up. That won't suddenly make him a better defensive back, but it's what voters will look at. 

Nagurski Award

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Defensive Player of the Year

Favorite: Ohio State DE Joey Bosa

The last three winners of the Bednarik Award have also won the Nagurski Award for Defensive Player of the Year. With that in mind, we'll go ahead and pencil in Bosa as the favorite to win this award, too. There's not much else to add about Ohio State's edge-rusher other than he has the chance to clean up big on awards night. 

Dark Horse: Arizona LB Scooby Wright III

Wright won the Nagurski last year, but repeat winners aren't common here. The last player to win the Nagurski two years in a row was Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald in 1995 and '96, when he played linebacker for the Wildcats. On one hand, Wright's productivity could make him a favorite. On the other, though, history suggests it's tough to repeat. 

Butkus Award

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Outstanding Linebacker

Favorite: Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith

Smith was an absolute monster for the Irish last season, leading the team with 111 tackles, nine of which went for a loss, and 3.5 sacks. He's a great outside linebacker who plays well in space, but he also knows how to get downhill when going after the running back or quarterback. He's played several positions along Notre Dame's middle level, so he's a valuable asset as well. 

Dark Horse: Utah State LB Nick Vigil

Think about this for a minute: No player outside what we now consider the Power Five conferences has ever won the Butkus Award for best linebacker. However, Vigil recorded 123 tackles last season for the Aggies while his brother, Zach, was second in the nation behind Scooby Wright III with 154 tackles. Zach has moved on to the NFL, but Nick is still around and was recently named the Mountain West's top preseason defensive player by the media. 

Thorpe Award

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Outstanding Defensive Back

Favorite: Florida DB Vernon Hargreaves III 

Hargreaves is well-regarded as one of the top defensive backs in the nation. He's been an All-American selection two years running and a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award. Last year, he tied for the SEC lead in passes broken up and recorded three interceptions. Quarterbacks know where he is on the field at all times. However, he hasn't been able to take home top honors for the Thorpe Award. Can that change for Hargreaves as a junior?

Dark Horse: Oklahoma DB Zack Sanchez

Sanchez had six interceptions in seven games dating from the end of the 2013 season to the beginning of the '14 season. The Sooners secondary is once again young, and depth is at a premium. However, Sanchez is easily the unit's bright spot and one of the better cover corners in the Big 12. 

Lou Groza Award

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Best Place Kicker

Favorite: Florida State PK Roberto Aguayo

Aguayo actually won the the Groza Award in 2013 and was a consensus All-American in 2014. How good is the redshirt junior? He could have left for the 2015 NFL draft—and been drafted late. Instead, Aguayo comes back for another year after going 27-of-30 on field goals and a perfect 55-of-55 on extra points. 

Dark Horse: West Virginia PK Josh Lambert

Lambert made 30-of-39 field goals last season, so his completion percentage wasn't as high as some of the other more familiar names. However, he did nail a couple of game-winners against Texas Tech and Maryland. 

Ray Guy Award

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Outstanding Punter

Favorite: Utah P Tom Hackett

What else can you say? Hackett was the 2014 Ray Guy Award winner for best punter, and he returns to the Utes for one more season. Hackett averaged 46.7 yards per punt last year, third in the country, while tying for 12th in the nation with 80 attempts. No other punter came close to that average with the number of punts taken into consideration. 

Dark Horse: Alabama P JK Scott

Hackett may have won the Ray Guy Award last year, but Scott actually led the nation with a 48 yards-per-punt average. Just a sophomore, Scott has plenty of eligibility left to grab the Ray Guy. 

Hendricks Award

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Defensive End of the Year

Favorite: Ohio State DE Joey Bosa

By this point, it's clear why Bosa would be the favorite for the award honoring the top defensive end in college football. The junior is already an early favorite to take home plenty of defensive awards in 2015. Last season, Bosa led the Big Ten with 13.5 sacks. 

Dark Horse: Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett

We saw what Garrett could do as a true freshman in 2014. The former blue-chip recruit tallied 11.5 sacks, breaking Jadeveon Clowney's freshman SEC record. Garrett is still growing as a player, but the arrival of defensive coordinator John Chavis should help Garrett's game. 

Paul Hornung Award

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Most Versatile Player

Favorite: South Carolina WR Pharoh Cooper

Pharoh Cooper did a little bit of everything for the Gamecocks last year. He was the team's leading receiver, but he also played some running back—and even quarterback—accounting for 13 total touchdowns in three different ways. He also handled punt return duties, so if that's not the definition of versatile, nothing is. 

Dark Horse: USC CB/WR Adoree' Jackson

Like Cooper, Jackson does it all for USC. His primary position is cornerback, but he's played some wide receiver for the Trojans and is a more accomplished return man. It'll be interesting to see if head coach Steve Sarkisian cuts down on Jackson's offensive reps to preserve him throughout the season. However, Jackson should still be heavily used on special teams. 

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

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Outstanding Senior Quarterback

Favorite: USC QB Cody Kessler

Again, Kessler is one of the most accomplished senior quarterbacks for 2015. His touchdown-to-interception ratio is superb, but he'll have several opportunities this year (vs. Oregon, Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA) to play his best. 

Dark Horse: Michigan State QB Connor Cook

Cook helped Michigan State elevate its offense to one of the best in all of college football in 2014. The Spartans offense has been run-heavy in the past, so it'll be interesting to see if Cook gets more opportunities to put up big passing numbers in 2015. 

Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com. All quotes obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.