As the run up to the 2011 season continues, various postseason awards announced their preseason watch lists, a good starting point for spirited debate, if not a decent predictor as to who is going to win the award.
Ten Irish players are named, with Manti Te’o and Michael Floyd leading the way with four and three mentions respectively. Here’s a comprehensive list of Irish players listed for awards consideration.
Manti Te’o
Bednarik Award - Awarded to the defensive college football player of the year. (2010’s winner was Patrick Peterson.)
Butkus Award - Awarded to the top linebacker in college football. (2010’s winner was Von Miller.)
Lombardi Award - Awarded to the best college football lineman or linebacker (2010’s winner was Nick Fairley.)
Bronco Nagurski Award - Given to the player that’s judged to be the best defensively. (2010’s winner was Da’Quan Bowers.)
Michael Floyd
Maxwell Award - Awarded to the college football player of the year. (2010’s winner was Cam Newton.)
Biletnikoff Award - Awarded to the top wide receiver in college football. (2010’s winner was Justin Blackmon.)
Walter Camp Award - Awarded to college football’s player of the year. (2010’s winner was Cam Newton.)
Dayne Crist
Davey O’Brien Award - Award to the top quarterback in college football. (2010’s winner was Cam Newton.)
Maxwell Award - Awarded to the college football player of the year. (2010’s winner was Cam Newton.)
Harrison Smith
Bronco Nagurski Award - Given to the player that’s judged to be the best defensively. (2010’s winner was Da’Quan Bowers.)
Jim Thorpe Award - Awarded to the top defensive back in college football. (2010’s winner was Patrick Peterson.)
Tyler Eifert
John Mackey Award - Awarded to the top tight end in college football. (2010’s winner was D.J. Williams.)
Darius Fleming
Butkus Award - Awarded to the top linebacker in college football. (2010’s winner was Von Miller.)
David Ruffer
Lou Groza Award - Awarded to the top placekicker in college football. (2010’s winner was Dan Bailey.)
Zack Martin
Outland Trophy - Awarded to the best interior lineman in college football. (2010’s winner was Gabe Carimi.)
Braxston Cave
Rimington Trophy - Awarded to the best center in college football. (2010’s winner was Jake Kirkpatrick.)
Cierre Wood
Doak Walker Award - Awarded to the best running back in college football. (2010’s winner was LaMichael James.)