And The Award Goes To...Who Really Deserved The College Football Awards?
With the annual Home Depot College Football Awards, the nation revealed the best players on defense, offense, and at their respective positions.
While every athlete and coach at the awards banquet deserved to be there and all had their astonishing years, there were the clear winners and there were also players as well as coaches who were snubbed from the voting (as in every vote).
While this is my personal opinion, I feel that a variety of individuals all over the nation are sharing my same thoughts.
Chuck Bednarik Award: Best Defensive Player
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Who the award went to: Patrick Peterson - Cornerback, LSU
Who deserved the award: Nick Fairley - DT, Auburn
Why he deserved it:
Nick Fairley was the biggest force in an underrated Auburn Tiger defense. He used his brute force and speed to bust up the opponent's offensive line and powered his way to the quarterback 10.5 times this year. He was also able to burst through the offensive line for 21.5 tackles for loss, thus raising his draft stock significantly this year. Fairley not only anchored the Auburn Tiger's defense, but he also helped to lead the Auburn Tigers to the National Championship game against the Oregon Ducks in Glendale, Arizona on January 10, 2011.
While Patrick Peterson was very deserving of this award as well and did more than enough to deserve it, Nick Fairley's power and speed as well the fact that his team will make an appearance in the national championship gives him more reason to be the Chuck Bednarik Award for Best Defensive Player this year.
Hendricks Award: Nation's Best Defensive End
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Who won the award: Da'Quan Bowers - Clemson DE
Who deserved the award: Da'Quan Bowers - Clemson DE
Why He deserved the award:
There was no other outside presence on any defensive line in the nation who could bring speed and force like Da'Quan Bowers could. He burst pass offensive lineman for 16 sacks and worked his way to being one of the nation's top leaders in tackles for loss.
In an off year for the Clemson Tigers, Bowers was a bright spot who will surely be drafted in the top-10 of the NFL draft this year, being once labeled as the most complete player in this years draft.
Jim Thorpe Award: Best Defensive Back
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Who the award went to: Patrick Peterson - LSU DB
Who deserved the award: Patrick Peterson - LSU DB
Why he deserved the award:
There was no better cover corner in college football than Patrick Peterson this year. He finished the year with 36 tackles and four interceptions while also flexing his muscles against the best of the SEC wide-receivers.
Not only was Peterson able to cover perhaps the best receivers in college football, but he also showed just how of a complete player he was in the return game as well, posing a threat every single time he got hold of the ball.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Doak Walker Award: Nation's Top Running Back
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Who won the award: LaMichael James - Oregon, RB
Who deserved the award: LaMichael James - Oregon, RB
Why he deserved the award:
There was no other running back in the nation who posed a threat like James did. Not only did he lead the nation in rushing, but he also led the Oregon ducks to a national championship date against the Auburn Tigers on January 10, 2011.
Though classified as a small back, LaMichael has done nothing but fill in for big shoes this year as he has gashed defenses for 21 rushing touchdowns this year, a new Oregon school record. If he declares for the draft, he is surely to be drafted in the high rounds.
Davey O'Brien Award- Nation's Top Quarterback
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Who won the award: Cameron Newton - Auburn, QB
Who deserved the award: Andrew Luck- Stanford, QB
Why he deserved the award:
Yes, Cam Newton was the best offensive player this year, and yes, he is most likely to win the Heisman as well. However, this award is for the nation's best quarterback. While Cam Newton is a clear force at the quarterback position, he is a run-first, pass-second kind of player. He looks for the gaps and if they are not there, he looks for the open receiver.
Andrew Luck is the most NFL ready prospect in this year's NFL draft and will most likely be the first off of the board. He threw for the most yards in the pac-10 and helped turn around the Stanford football program completely. He is big, athletic, and can plow over defensive players (just ask anybody on the California football team). He is ready to ascend to the next level and was clearly the best passer in college football this year.
Maxwell Award: Nation's Top Player
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Who won the award: Cam Newton - Auburn, QB
Who deserved the award: Cam Newton - Auburn, QB
Why he deserved the award:
Cameron Newton was the best player in all of college football this year, and despite all of the scandals surrounding him and his father, demonstrated on the field why he deserved this award. He led his team in both rushing and passing yards and also led them to a birth in the BCS National Championship.
While he may not be the most NFL-ready prospect, there is no doubt in anybody's mind that he was the player who made the Auburn Tigers number 1 in the nation.
Biletnikoff Award: Nation's Top Receiver
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Who won the award: Justin Blackmon - Oklahoma State, WR
Who deserved the award: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, WR
Why he deserved the award:
Ever since the middle of the college football season, it seemed as though Justin Blackmon was destined to win this award. There is no other receiver in college football who opened up the field for his offense and provided a deep-threat on every play. Not only was he able to beat defenders every time he needed to, Blackmon was also one of the most sure handed receivers in the nation.
With the threat of Blackmon, OK State was also able to increase their running game's productivity, something which is sometimes looked by in a receivers capabilities.
Lou Groza Award: Best Kicker
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Who won the award: Dan Bailey - Oklahoma State, K
Who deserved the award: Dan Bailey - Oklahoma State, K
Why he deserved the award:
Not only did Dan Bailey lead Oklahoma State in points scored with 127 points, he also broke the school record for points in a season. He was the kicker you would want in during the game, down 2 points, with 1 second left on the clock.
Bailey is a true athlete in most regards and deserved the Lou Groza award even though the other finalists were deserving as well.
Ray Guy Award: Best Punter
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Who won the award: Chas Henry - Florida, P
Who deserved the award: Chas Henry - Florida, P
Why he deserved the award:
Though an underrated position (in general), Chas Henry defined what it means to be a punter. He came through in clutch situations and helped the Gators establish great field position wherever they were playing. He was able to pin the ball back inside the 20 plenty of times and when given the chance, was able to make big plays for the Gators.
Outland Trophy: Best Interior Lineman
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Who won the award: Gab Carimi - Wisconsin, OL
Who deserved the award: Gabe Carimi - Wisconsin, OL
Why he deserved the award:
The Winsconsin game, towards the end of the year (as well as through most of it), was virtually unstoppable. While John Clay Jr. is a talented back himself, Gabe Carimi was one of the biggest reasons that Clay was able to find the holes in the defense. He used his great footwork and strength to open a hole big enough for a train to plow through. He is a great NFL ready player and will continue to succeed at the next level.
Home Depot Award: Top College Coach
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Who won the award: Gene Chizik
Who deserved the award: Chip Kelly
Why he deserved the award:
Whith Chizik and Kelly set to meet each other in the national championship, the decision for best college coach of the year may be decided during that game. However, while Chizik did have a great year as the second-year coach of the Auburn Tigers, Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks should have been the recipient of the Home Depot Award.
Chip Kelly, only in his second season at the University of Oregon (not known for their historical dominance in football), has brought the Oregon Ducks into the national championship for the first time in Duck history as well as put them into their first number 1 ranking in both the AP as well as BCS polls. He has also brought the passion to the team as well as the best offense in college football, now dubbed the "blur" offense; an offense which leads the nation in scoring and is in the top-10 in rushing yards and total yards per game.
Kelly has brought the Oregon Ducks into the limelight of the nation and is set for a national championship. With his motto "Win the Day", Kelly deserves to have won the Home Depot Award.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
