Thursday November 20, 2014
Courtesy of TheACC.com
LINK: Unfurling The Red Carpet: The National Awards Contenders
On Monday, the sea of individual awards given annually to college football’s most outstanding athletes will whittle their list of semifinalists down to a select group of finalists. As is the case each November, the Atlantic Coast Conference will be well-represented, with top-flight performers on offense, defense and special teams.
Bednarik Award – Presented to the college defensive player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club
Clemson DE Vic Beasley
Making the case … one of the most feared edge rusher in college football, Beasley is tied for the ACC lead with eight sacks.
Louisville S Gerod Holliman
Making the case … blessed with uncanny instincts and ball skills for such a young player, the sophomore leads the nation with 13 picks, one off the NCAA mark set in 1968.
Miami LB Denzel Perryman
Making the case … the enforcer of the Cane D has racked up a team-high 81 tackles and countless intimidations of opposing ballcarriers.
Biletnikoff Award – Presented to the nation’s outstanding college receiver by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation
Florida State WR Rashad Greene
Making the case … despite getting minimal support early on from a young collection Seminole receivers, Greene has still hauled in a league-high 75 passes for 1,042 yards and five touchdowns.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy – Presented to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player by the Charlotte Touchdown Club
Louisville S Gerod Holliman
Making the case … blessed with uncanny instincts and ball skills for such a young player, the sophomore leads the nation with 13 picks, one off the NCAA mark set in 1968.
Butkus Award – Presented to the nation’s best linebacker by the Butkus Foundation
Clemson LB Stephone Anthony
Making the case … as one of the heart-and-soul performers of the rugged Tiger defense, Anthony leads the team with 74 stops, including 8.5 behind the line of scrimmage.
Miami LB Denzel Perryman
Making the case … the enforcer of the Cane D has racked up a team-high 81 tackles and countless intimidations of opposing ballcarriers.
Davey O’Brien Award – Presented to the nation’s best quarterback by the Davey O’Brien Foundation
Florida State QB Jameis Winston
Making the case … quarterbacks, like coaches, are judged by their record. Winston is 10-0 this season, leading the Seminoles back from a second-half deficit in half of those victories.
Doak Walker Award – Presented to the nation’s premier running back by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum
Pittsburgh RB James Conner
Making the case … the nation’s third-leading rusher has barreled his way to 1,562 yards and 21 touchdowns, and he’s getting better as the season unfolds.
Miami RB Duke Johnson
Making the case … Johnson’s triumphant return from last season’s injury has been marked by 1,653 yards from scrimmage, a dozen touchdowns and more than seven yards per carry.
Jim Thorpe Award – Presented to the nation’s best defensive back by the Jim Thorpe Association
Duke S Jeremy Cash
Making the case … hits like a linebacker, yet covers like a corner, Cash is the front man of a Blue Devil secondary that’s yielded just seven touchdown passes all season.
Virginia Tech CB Kendall Fuller
Making the case … raising the level of his play in Year 2, Fuller has broken up 13 passes, despite opposing quarterbacks wanting nothing to do with his side of the field.
Louisville S Gerod Holliman
Making the case … blessed with uncanny instincts and ball skills for such a young player, the sophomore leads the nation with 13 picks, one off the NCAA mark set in 1968.
Florida State CB P.J. Williams
Making the case … NFL scouts adore him, while opposing quarterbacks want no part of him. The versatile Williams has 41 tackles and a team-high nine pass breakups.
Lou Groza Award – Presented to the nation’s top place-kicker by the Palm Beach Sports Commission
Florida State PK Roberto Aguayo
Making the case … the reigning Groza Award winner has missed just one field goal in 20 attempts, nailing all three from beyond 50 yards.
Virginia PK Ian Frye
Making the case … one of the Cavaliers’ most reliable offensive weapons this season, Frye is 17-of-20 on three-pointers.
Clemson PK Ammon Lakip
Making the case … Lakip leads the Tigers in scoring, connecting on 19-of-23 field goals and all 30 of his extra point attempts.
Duke PK Ross Martin
Making the case … The Blue Devils’ Mr. Reliable on special teams has not disappointed in 2014, making all but two of his 18 field goal tries.
Syracuse PK Cole Murphy
Making the case … Murphy has been a gem in his first year out of Valencia (Calif.) High School, solidifying the Orange special teams with 13 field goals on 15 attempts.
Louisville PK John Wallace
Making the case … Wallace boasts one of the strongest legs in the league, using it to make 13-of-16 field goals, including a 51-yarder.
Mackey Award – Presented to the nation’s most outstanding Tight End by Friends of John Mackey
Florida State TE Nick O’Leary
Making the case … the Seminole offense can always count on the sure hands and crisp routes of O’Leary, who’s second on the team with 37 receptions for 406 yards and a pair of scores.
Miami TE Clive Walford
Making the case … Walford has played a seminal role in the maturation of QB Brad Kaaya, often bailing out the rookie with his Hurricane-high 33 grabs for 522 yards and seven touchdowns.
Maxwell Award – Presented to the college player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club
Pittsburgh RB James Conner
Making the case … the nation’s third-leading rusher has barreled his way to 1,562 yards and 21 touchdowns, and he’s getting better as the season unfolds.
Miami RB Duke Johnson
Making the case … Johnson’s triumphant return from last season’s injury has been marked by 1,653 yards from scrimmage, a dozen touchdowns and more than seven yards per carry.
Florida State QB Jameis Winston
Making the case … quarterbacks, like coaches, are judged by their record. Winston is 10-0 this season, leading the Seminoles back from a second-half deficit in half of those victories.
Ray Guy Award – Presented to the college punter of the year by the Augusta Sports Council
Miami P Justin Vogel
Making the case … the Florida transfer has been an instant hit at Miami, averaging 44.3 yards, while dropping more than half of his punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Wake Forest P Alex Kinal
Making the case … the Aussie has been one of the bright spots in Winston-Salem this fall, averaging 43.6 yards, with the hang time and directionals to prevent most of his boots from even being returned.
Rotary Lombardi Award – Presented to the college lineman of the year by the Rotary Club of Houston
Clemson DE Vic Beasley
Making the case … one of the most feared edge rusher in college football, Beasley is tied for the ACC lead with eight sacks.
Walter Camp Award – Presented to the nation’s most outstanding player by the Walter Camp Foundation
Louisville S Gerod Holliman
Making the case … blessed with uncanny instincts and ball skills for such a young player, the sophomore leads the nation with 13 picks, one off the NCAA mark set in 1968.
Miami RB Duke Johnson
Making the case … Johnson’s triumphant return from last season’s injury has been marked by 1,653 yards from scrimmage, a dozen touchdowns and more than seven yards per carry.
Florida State QB Jameis Winston
Making the case … quarterbacks, like coaches, are judged by their record. Winston is 10-0 this season, leading the Seminoles back from a second-half deficit in half of those victories.
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