Bleacher Report's 2016 Preseason College Football Award Predictions
There's no such thing as a true "awards season" in college football. Preseason watch lists are handed out at the beginning of July, causing excitement and debate among fans and the players themselves well before the season starts.
Watch lists get updated throughout the regular season, and then come the semifinalist cuts. The finalist cuts are made during the home stretch of the campaign. By the time the awards are handed out in December, college football has spent almost half a year on these individual honors.
As the regular season draws closer, we at Bleacher Report want to continue our annual tradition of getting in on the awards action. The college football staff has voted on who it thinks will win 16 of the sport's biggest individual honors in 2016, stretching from the Heisman Trophy to the Ray Guy Award for punters.
Nineteen members—writers Ben Axelrod, Tyler Donohue, Ed Feng, Justin Ferguson, David Kenyon, Sanjay Kirpalani, Adam Kramer, Brian Pedersen, David Regimbal, Barrett Sallee, Damon Sayles, Brad Shepard, Greg Wallace and Christopher Walsh, video experts Michael Felder, Hunter Mandel and Sean McManus, and editors Eric Bowman and Eric Yates—each cast a single vote for all 16 awards.
Here are the results for the 2016 preseason college football award predictions, along with some of our writers and editors' reasoning on why they voted the way they did.
Heisman Trophy: Deshaun Watson, Clemson
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Votes Received: 10 (out of 19)
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson finished third last season in Heisman Trophy voting, and the majority of Bleacher Report voters think he'll move to the top spot this December. After passing for 4,104 yards and 35 touchdowns—while adding 1,105 yards and a dozen more scores on the ground—Watson is in a position to put up even loftier numbers in 2016.
"Another offseason of diligent preparation puts him in position to duplicate, and potentially surpass, his 2015 production," Bleacher Report's Tyler Donohue said. "He won't surprise any opponents this year, but it doesn't matter because he is so in control of the Tigers' attack. Clemson continues to stock its offense with elite offensive weapons on the recruiting trail, so his supporting cast should continue to improve."
The Tigers look like national title contenders again with Watson, whom Alabama head coach Nick Saban called "the best player in college football since Cam Newton" on ESPN. Newton won a national title and a Heisman at Auburn for the 2010 season. With seven of his top eight receivers back as well as 2014 favorite target Mike Williams, Watson has a great chance of doing the same in 2016.
Runner-Up: Leonard Fournette, LSU (three votes)
Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards: Deshaun Watson, Clemson
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Votes Received: 10 (Maxwell) and six (Walter Camp)
The Heisman vote was just one of several award predictions Watson took home. The Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award are honors for national player of the year, although the Heisman is the far more established award.
While a Heisman winner sweeping all three awards used to be a rarity, the last two Heisman winners—Marcus Mariota and Derrick Henry—have pulled off the trifecta. Watson is the favorite in the eyes of Bleacher Report's voters to do the same.
He arguably has the highest potential for eye-popping stats on a national championship contender, which are usually the two biggest criteria for these awards. Last year, he was the first FBS player ever to pass for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000 more in a single season. Just think of what he could do in a follow-up act.
Runner-Up: Leonard Fournette, LSU (five votes in each)
Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
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Votes Received: 10 (Nagurski) and eight (Bednarik)
The Nagurski and the Bednarik both go to college football's top defender at season's end. While there was some shifting around of votes for the awards among some high-caliber candidates, both predictions ended up going to one player—Texas A&M superstar defensive end Myles Garrett.
"Myles Garrett has been one of the SEC's best pass-rushers, but he will evolve into the most dominant overall defender in 2016," Bleacher Report's David Regimbal said. "Through his first two seasons at Texas A&M, he's piled up an absurd 24 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss, using his rare blend of speed and power to bulldoze offensive tackles. Expect Garrett to put up big numbers in what will likely be his last season in College Station."
Garrett is part of a star-studded defensive line at Texas A&M with Daeshon Hall and Daylon Mack, so opposing offenses won't be able to completely key on him this fall. But even if they do, double-teams don't seem to slow Garrett down much. Garrett's consistency at racking up big plays in the opposing backfield will make him a top award candidate and a heavily hyped NFL draft prospect.
Runner-Up: Derwin James, Florida State (four for Nagurski, five for Bednarik)
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Doak Walker Award: Leonard Fournette, LSU
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Votes Received: 12
LSU star running back Leonard Fournette might have finished runner-up for the Heisman, Maxwell and Walter Camp in this year's preseason vote, but he's expected to run away with the race for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's best running back. In terms of rushing yards per game, Fournette was that last season, averaging 162.75 yards per contest and leaving a wake of destruction on many defenses.
"Leonard Fournette is that rare player who can put a power-conference team on his back and carry it to success," Bleacher Report's Brian Pedersen said. "As much as LSU wants to be balanced and have a capable passing game, knowing that Fournette is capable of running around, over and through defenders, there's no need to force the air attack."
Fournette sprained his ankle last week, but he told Ross Dellenger of the Advocate he'll be ready for the season opener. Even with all the incredible running back talent in college football for 2016, it's hard to pick against the nation's leading rusher from a season ago. As we saw in the first two months of the 2015 season, Fournette has a way of completely taking over games and becoming must-see TV all by himself.
Runner-Up: Dalvin Cook, Florida State (four votes)
Fred Biletnikoff Award: JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC
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Votes Received: 11
JuJu Smith-Schuster is the biggest name among college football wide receivers coming back for the 2016 season. He was one of just 12 wideouts in the FBS last season to average at least 100 receiving yards per game, and Bleacher Report voters expect him to carry that mantle as college football's best passing target this fall.
"JuJu Smith-Schuster will be counted on to be a machine for the USC Trojans in 2016," Bleacher Report's Eric Bowman said. "He's improved with each season, and his junior campaign will be a big one as Pac-12 defenses won't be able to handle his speed and skill. I project he'll record 90 catches for 1,400 yards and 15 TDs."
Smith-Schuster might not have the same breakaway speed of some of college football's most productive receivers of the last several seasons, but he is a nightmare for opponents after the catch. He can turn a short pass into a long one with his physicality and ferocious stiff arm, which will be his calling card again in 2016. As part of a more experienced USC offense, Smith-Schuster has all the tools to light up defenses in Los Angeles.
Runner-Up: Gabe Marks, Washington State (three votes)
Davey O'Brien Award: Deshaun Watson, Clemson
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Votes Received: 16
Deshaun Watson isn't quite done piling up the awards picks. The Clemson quarterback won the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's best quarterback last season, and the vast majority of voters believe he'll repeat in 2016. He's the favorite to win the awards for best player in the country, so being the top quarterback just makes sense.
"Although he won the honor last season, Deshaun Watson can present an even better case for the Davey O'Brien Award in 2016," Bleacher Report's David Kenyon said. "The return of Mike Williams will provide yet another key weapon for Watson and complement to Artavis Scott and Jordan Leggett, among others. Watson should cut down on his 13 interceptions and take home a second O'Brien."
Watson might not put up the most yards or touchdowns in the FBS this season—there are several Air Raid quarterbacks who will challenge for those titles—but he'll have the national spotlight on him each week. Almost every voter on this season's staff thinks Watson will showcase all his incredible gifts with a deeper supporting cast en route to another trophy.
Runner-Up: J.T. Barrett, Ohio State (two votes)
John Mackey Award: Jake Butt, Michigan
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Votes Received: 11
2016 in college football has the potential to be the year of the tight end with the star names at the position coming back to school. Bleacher Report's projected winner of this year's Mackey Award, given to the top tight end in college football, is Michigan's Jake Butt.
"Jake Butt is an old-school, throwback tight end who can do everything on the football field to win games," Bleacher Report's Brad Shepard said. "Need a block? He's throwing it. How about a huge catch for a key first down? That's the guy you're going to. If a tackle has to be broken, Butt is the man to do it."
In his first season, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh got a lot out of his tight end, who recorded 51 catches for 654 yards and three touchdowns. Butt is as consistent as they come at the position, and he'll be a key figure on a Michigan team that's eyeing a Big Ten title and a possible College Football Playoff berth. That's a recipe for a successful award campaign.
Runner-Up: Jordan Leggett, Clemson (four votes)
Outland Trophy: Cam Robinson, Alabama
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Votes Received: 10
The Outland Trophy goes to either the big guys on the offensive line or an interior defensive lineman. A wide variety of players can grab this award, but the favorite from Bleacher Report this year is a prototypical, dominant force at left tackle—Alabama's Cam Robinson.
Robinson emerged as a starter as a freshman for Alabama and helped lead the Crimson Tide to an SEC championship. Last year, he cemented himself as one of college football's best offensive linemen, making things happen up front for Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry and a national title-winning Alabama offense.
The Alabama offensive tackle is currently ranked as the No. 6 overall NFL prospect by Bleacher Report's Matt Miller. Robinson is strong at both keeping his quarterback's pocket clean and paving the way for big plays on the ground, making him the perfect weapon for offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin's scheme. This should be a huge season for Robinson before he heads off to the pros.
Second Team: Malik McDowell, Michigan State (five votes)
Rotary Lombardi Award: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
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Votes Received: Six
The Rotary Lombardi Award has a unique list of criteria for who can take it home at season's end, as it can go to either a down lineman on either side of the ball or a linebacker. Six of the last nine winners of the award have been defensive linemen, and the Bleacher Report voters think their selected top defender in the country will grab this award as well.
No other FBS player who is coming back for the 2016 season had as many sacks last year as Garrett, and he's a strong bet to take home the title again this fall. He seems like a lock to have double-digit sacks for the third straight season before bringing his quarterback-menacing talents to the NFL.
"Garrett's overall talent supersedes his draft class, too," Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski wrote. "Inevitably, he'll invoke comparisons to the last defender selected No. 1 overall, the Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney. In reality, the Texas A&M product is a better overall prospect than Clowney at the same point in their respective careers."
Runner-Up: Malik McDowell, Michigan State (four votes)
Rimington Trophy: Pat Elflein, Ohio State
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Votes Received: 13
Pat Elflein ran away with the vote for the Rimington Trophy, which goes to the top center in college football. That's a massive compliment to a player who just moved to the center spot on Ohio State's line this offseason after two years of being an All-Big Ten guard for the Buckeyes.
"Even with a lack of experience elsewhere, Elflein and J.T. Barrett should provide a calming presence in the middle of an otherwise young Ohio State offense," Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod said. "Make no mistake, Elflein is still one of the Big Ten's best offensive linemen—he just happens to be playing a new position."
Elflein is an All-American-type talent no matter where he plays on the offensive line, and his partnership with Barrett should make for an exciting Ohio State offense this fall. If Elflein can continue his fantastic play on the interior and lead the Buckeyes to title contention with a talented yet inexperienced roster, he would be a no-brainer for the Rimington this season.
Runner-Up: Ethan Pocic, LSU (four votes)
Dick Butkus Award: Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
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Votes Received: Nine
Like Pat Elflein, Raekwon McMillan is the experienced heart of a young Ohio State unit that is loaded with talent for 2016. The talented linebacker developed a reputation as a do-it-all playmaker in his first two seasons with the Buckeyes, and he's the Bleacher Report favorite to win the Butkus Award as the nation's best linebacker.
"Raekwon McMillan is the unquestioned leader of a defense that is heavy on talent but lacks a ton of experience," Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani said. "The Buckeyes will count on him to be a force in the middle while the rest of the defense gets up to speed. He's a tackling machine who has a nose for the football, and I expect him to thrive under the guidance of new defensive coordinator Greg Schiano."
McMillan should rack up a huge number of tackles this season, but he can do much more than that for the Ohio State defense. His ability to make big plays in clutch spots will be huge for both the Buckeyes and his chances at taking home the Butkus Award.
Runner-Up: Malik Jefferson, Texas (four votes)
Jim Thorpe Award: Derwin James, Florida State
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Votes Received: Seven
The Thorpe Award goes to the best defensive back in college football, and while there are plenty of lockdown corners who have a great shot at the honor, a safety emerged. And he's not just any safety—he's Derwin James, the Florida State sophomore who looked like a heat-seeking missile in stopping plays behind the line of scrimmage and defending deep balls.
"Derwin James is a hard hitter, has a nose for the football and is one of the most feared safeties in the game," Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee said. "He doesn't just seek out the football. He doesn't just seek out contact. He inflicts pain on opposing players who seemingly can't comprehend how he got to where he goes so fast. There's a reason that NFL scouts are salivating over him."
James hasn't even had a full season as a starting defensive back yet in college football, but his potential for a title-contending Florida State team is through the roof. He received votes for the Nagurski and Bednarik, and even the Maxwell, Walter Camp and Heisman trio in this year's preseason picks. His talent is tremendous, and the spotlight will be bright on him all season long.
Runner-Up: Desmond King, Iowa (six votes)
Lou Groza Award: Andy Phillips, Utah
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Votes Received: Eight
Andy Phillips has been a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, which is given to the top kicker in college football, in his first three seasons of his Utah career. Phillips, a former alpine racing member of the United States ski team, has been nearly automatic as a college kicker and is Bleacher Report's pick to win the Groza in 2016.
Phillips is already the Utah career record holder for field goals made and total points scored, and his 2016 season should make his high place in school history a permanent one. He's made two All-Pac-12 teams and is almost automatic from 40 yards and in for the Utes. Phillips has never missed a kick from 50 yards or deeper (4-of-4) and has a 100 percent success rate on onside kicks.
Now that the always-quotable Australian punter Tom Hackett is no longer at Utah, Phillips has taken over the starring role for the Utes' consistently great special teams unit. You can expect elite production out of Utah's specialists, and you can expect Phillips to be a serious contender for the title as college football's best boot.
Runner-Up: Daniel Carlson, Auburn (four votes)
Ray Guy Award: JK Scott, Alabama
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Votes Received: Nine
Special teamers aren't expected to become star names under Nick Saban at Alabama, but JK Scott has done just that for the Crimson Tide. As a freshman, he led the nation in yards per punt, and he bounced back from a shaky start last season to produce at a high level for the national champions.
"JK Scott is a master at forcing fair catches and pinning opponents deep with his booming punts," Bleacher Report's Justin Ferguson said. "He's excellent at getting the ideal height and distance on his kicks, which makes it hard for opponents to get any solid field position against Alabama's crushing defenses. He's the ultimate weapon for a defense that already has it all."
Scott was also Bleacher Report's preseason pick to win the Ray Guy Award last season. Although he didn't capture the award after the aforementioned slow beginning to 2015, Scott should be a contender if he picks up right where he left off in 2015.
Runner-Up: Cameron Johnston, Ohio State (four votes)
All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com. Recruiting rankings are courtesy of 247Sports.
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