By: Cole Mantell (@lightningdragon)
We have reached the midpoint of the season. Four games down, four games left to decide who will join the field of the playoffs. Some teams seem to already have a spot locked up. Others might have to win every game from here on out to make the big dance. But at the center of all of it, is some great players showcasing their talents.
This season’s award races have shown some unique cases that provide great talking points. Should players on 0-4 teams be considered? How much credit do we give to good teams? We will discuss this and more with my annual midseason award watchlist. As always, I will only name a player once, even if they are in consideration for multiple end-of-season awards. I usually choose the award the player is most likely to win. With that said, let’s get into it.
Fan of the Year
Hoss83 (Auburn) is Auburn’s newest Recruiting Coordinator and one of the most active presences from an active team. He’s already contributed to Auburn’s recruiting operations and is looking for more. While Auburn hasn’t been off to as hot a start in the regular season compared to the last two, that doesn’t seem to phase the Auburn locker room. They know the playoffs are where it will matter most, and Hoss83 has been a big part of the continuing culture of Auburn. Hoss83 would be the first-ever Auburn representative to win this award. He would also be the first winner from the SEC since Moses King for Kentucky in Season 16.
NateSnare (Virginia Tech) has been a crucial part of the VT locker room since its entrance into the CFSL. With VT on the upswing, Snare has been the face of the challenges of the traditional ACC powerhouses. He’s got a great player as well, which helps boost the award prospects for this award as well, historically. Interestingly, if Snare were to win, he’d be the first defensive player to win this award since LSU’s Tyler Rogalski in Season 13. It would also be the first-ever major award win for Virginia Tech ever.
NotHorns (Michigan) is another relatively new face to the league, joining the recruiting arm of Michigan this season. There are a lot of similarities between him and Hoss83, with both likely competing against each other for this award. While I didn’t name any previous nominees for this award, traditional guys and previous award winners will make this maybe the most competitive Fan of the Year Award race in a while. Maybe ever. NotHorns would be the second-ever Michigan man to win this award, after Topher Foreman in Season 17.
Broadcaster of the Year
Ryan Moreland (Texas) has an argument as maybe the best CFSL broadcaster ever. Four straight wins in this category from Season 17-20. Only Cole Mantell has won four times, and he tied with another guy on this list twice. Moreland has another great shot to win this season, after losing last season to David Ware. Moreland has called everything from the CFSL, from Championships to YouTube sleepers. He brings professionalism to each broadcast and will be a contender for this award up until he retires from the booth.
Kade Padgett (Texas A&M) is our newcomer to the list. In an award category that is notoriously hard to break into as a first-time winner, Kade is looking to join David Ware from last season and break that trend. Padgett is probably more well known for his tenure at Texas A&M as the AD, bringing the Aggies to last season’s championship. But he’s been a steady and fun presence on YouTube this season, playing both the role of Play-by-play and Color well. He might not win this season, but keep an eye on this name when (not if) he gets promoted to Twitch.
David Ware (Alabama), as discussed, won this award for the first time last season. He’s been a longtime broadcaster whose iconic touchdown calls reverberate around any broadcast. Given the reign we’ve seen from Moreland previously, Ware is looking to start a mini-dynasty of his own here. Though I suspect he cares more about his Alabama Crimson Tide, Ware should be another big candidate this season and for seasons to come.
Team Spirit
North Carolina has endured a lot of heartbreak in their CFSL journey. Since joining the CFSL in Season 15, they’ve seen some great success. That included an ACC Conference Title in Season 20, as well as multiple individuals recognized for major awards for their play. But despite this, the Tar Heels are still looking for their first postseason win, sitting at an unfathomable 0-5 all-time. Despite this heartbreak, UNC’s team has held strong. This season’s version may be their best yet. Whether or not UNC can break through, their locker room culture deserves some recognition. This would be the first Team Spirit award for UNC, and the first major award win for the team since QB Kevin Price won Most Improved Player in Season 20.
USC will be a favorite for this award given how successful the team has been on and off the field. The team won this award last season, and also in Season 6. They’ve also had their QB win Fan of the Year last season. Not to mention two straight championships. If Kentucky and Oklahoma State dominated the previous era, this new era has been all USC. While it remains to be seen if USC can go for the first-ever CFSL three-peat, the Trojans are always a guarantee to be on the biggest presences around. They’ll get a lot of consideration once again for this award. If they win again, they will be the third-ever repeat winners, after Oklahoma State in Seasons 15-16 and Georgia in Seasons 17-18.
Virginia Tech is a team we already talked about. When you make waves on the field, in this league it often leads to consideration off the field too. The Hokies still have work to do. But this version is a step above previous teams. The Hokies will face a tough back half of the schedule in the ACC, not to mention a playoff race that could be crazy. Off the field, the team seemed ready for the jump. Under AD Cory Mucci, VT has been a great story to follow, and I expect that to continue. As mentioned before, this would represent the first-ever major award win for the program if they did win. The last ACC team to win Team Spirit was Florida State in Season 14.
AD of the Year
David Ware (Alabama) has already been mentioned once, and I’ll talk about him some more here. Alabama has always been a good team since Ware took over. The Crimson Tide have never had a start to a season like this one, however. After Auburn dominated the last two regular seasons in the SEC, now Alabama is 4-0 and may be the most complete team in the CFSL. Ware has always had a good program, but if Alabama continues to take the next step, and especially if they win their fourth SEC Conference Title (S13, S17, S18), I’d expect Ware to be a strong favorite in this category. Alabama has a PIT Championship, but no National Championship since joining the CFSL in Season 6. If they can change that this season, all the more reason to give this award to Ware. Alabama has never had an AD win this award.
Adam Smith (Florida) has always been a strong candidate for this award, given his legendary history in this league. Surprisingly, Smith has yet to win AD of the Year, however. After one of the longest careers of any active AD, Smith just might win it this season. His path is very similar to Ware’s at Alabama. If he continues to climb, building off the upset of Auburn, he will get considered. If he can beat Alabama and win the SEC? I’d consider him my favorite. Keep an eye on their matchup later this season, as it is shaping up to be maybe the biggest regular season CFSL game of the year, for multiple reasons. Florida has never had an AD of the Year. If Smith wins, he’d be the first SEC AD of the Year since Auburn’s Justin Duke in Season 20.
Daniel Gunn (North Carolina) is another name we’ve talked about already. Since bringing UNC into the CFSL in Season 15, he’s slowly built his program into one of the most well-run in the league today. This season has so far been a crowning of the achievement of his work, Miami’s loss notwithstanding. He’ll need to continue to lead his team to greatness for his consideration here. If he can get UNC over the hump and win a playoff game (or more)? I think he gets some votes. UNC has never won AD of the Year. Gunn would be the first ACC winner since Miami AD George Yost in Season 19.
Freshman of the Year
Virginia Tech HB Malcolm Dansby is leading a group of great young players for this upstart VT team. At the time of writing, he leads all freshmen and is 3rd overall in the CFSL with 450 rushing yards. While VT has always loved their runners, Dansby has given the Hokies offense a new dynamic, and it has shown so far in non-conference play especially. Dansby will have to keep this pace up, no easy feat in the ACC. But if he keeps this up, he will get consideration here. If he wins, Dansby would be the third HB in four seasons to win this award, after Miami’s Bo Yost and Oregon’s Ryan Ralosky won in Seasons 19 and 20, respectively.
Penn State DE Ryker Repko has been a monster defensively for the Nittany Lions. While his team has struggled overall at 0-4, he is part of one of the youngest teams in the CFSL, giving them hope for the future. At midseason, Repko is 2nd in the CFSL with 7 sacks and tied for 2nd with 9 TFLs. Penn State has never had a Freshman of the Year winner. Repko would be their first-ever major award winner. Repko would also be the first defensive winner of this award since Boise State DE Bo Diddle in Season 10.
Virginia Tech CB Nate Skinner has already been mentioned, but I will consider him here too. His 3 interceptions are tied for 2nd in the CFSL right now. He’s one of just two players with 2 defensive touchdowns already. He needs to work on his tackling numbers and keep up with this interception pace, but he has shown the talent to win this award. Just ask Michigan State QB Cole Mantell. I’ve said it a few times already, but he would also be VT’s first major on-field award winner. Skinner is also looking to be the first defensive player to win this award since Season 10 and the first-ever winner as a CB.
Most Outstanding Senior
Michigan QB Windham Carter has been excellent for the resurgent Wolverines. Michigan’s tough season last season is firmly in the rearview mirror. At 2-2, the team is aiming higher as Carter has been efficient and confident in the pocket. He leads the CFSL in QB Rating right now at 177.0. He will need to keep this pace up to win this award, but if he does, this will be far from the only award he might win. Michigan has never had a Most Outstanding Senior. No player on a team currently in the BIG 10 has ever won this award.
Oklahoma WR Malachi Cobb has been the excellent veteran Oklahoma needs. Sitting 2nd in the CFSL with 547 receiving yards, QB Himoteo Del Este has a reliable weapon when his rushing doesn’t work. When he runs, Cobb has been a dutiful soldier, sitting 4th in the CFSL with 21 pancakes. Oklahoma has never had a player win Most Outstanding Senior. He’d be the first winner from the current Big XII since LSU’s Beau Dale in Season 20.
USC WR Jamarcus Simpson III is the guy leading the CFSL with 561 receiving yards this season. He and Cobb will be competing all season for this award, and it has been a great race so far. Simpson joins a long list of great USC WRs for their modern dynasty, but if he wins he will be the first ever USC winner of this award. If either he or Cobb wins, it would be the second season in a row a WR wins, after FSU WR Dave Axis won this award last season.
Most Improved Player
Michigan TE Ace Elder has been outstanding for the Wolverines this season. Most Improved Player is often the hardest award to predict. You have to guess who was not doing great last season, and who will now be great. Elder fits the description. The junior has never broken 300 receiving yards at Ann Arbor. Through 4 games of his junior season, he is at 368. He had 5 receiving touchdowns in his first two seasons combined. He sits with 3 right now this season. If he keeps this up, he will get on the ballot for this award. He’d be the first Michigan player and the first Tight End to win this award.
LSU MLB Chris Gentry transferred from Notre Dame last season to join legendary AD Josh Claydon in his first season back. He hasn’t looked back since. The sophomore already has 38 tackles, tied for 2nd in the CFSL. He had 47 all of last season. After only having one TFL with Notre Dame, Gentry already has 8, tied for 3rd most in the CFSL overall. Gentry would be the second-ever LSU player to win this award, after Justin Morris Jr in Season 11.
Alabama HB CryZen Mai has helped Alabama take the next step into true contender status this season. After a freshman season sitting 2nd on the depth chart, Mai has broken out as the go-to guy for the Crimson Tide on the ground this season. Mai is 2nd in the CFSL in rushing yards and tied for 3rd in rushing touchdowns. He has proven to be a force to be reckoned with and is looking to take Alabama further this season than they ever have been before. Alabama has never had a player win Most Improved Player. Mai would also be the first HB to win this award since Toledo HB Toby Knerr in Season 18.
Defensive Player of the Year
Michigan FS Ryan Downie has done everything asked of him and more for the Blue and Maize. Downie is the versatile candidate for this award this season, sitting in the Top 5 of more categories than any other defensive player in the CFSL. Whether you need a tackle, TFL, or pass defender, Downie has your back. He already was an All-American safety in Season 20. Now, he is aiming higher. Downie would be the second Defensive Player of the Year in three seasons for Michigan. Amarion Xander Martel won in Season 20. MLB Nate Jones also won Defensive Player of the Year for Michigan in Season 3.
Ohio State DE Jesse Stork has one thing no other defensive player in the CFSL has yet. 13 TFLs. No other CFSL defender has more than 8 currently. If he keeps this pace, it will be a historic season for Stork and his Ohio State defense. While Stork will probably work on other areas to increase his odds of winning here, his lead of the TFL stat is almost unprecedented and a story to keep an eye on as the season goes on. Stork is hoping to be the third winner of this award for Ohio State, after Isaiah Fowler and Colten Allen won back-to-back in Seasons 7 and 8 for the Buckeyes.
Kentucky SS Taj Washington might be one of the most interesting candidates for any award this season. He leads the CFSL currently with 39 tackles. He’s got a fumble, but no interceptions as a safety. He has 4 TFLs, showing he can hit the QB, but fewer numbers on pure pass defense. Can a safety win this award playing like a DE or MLB? We will find out. Washington has never won even an All-American, but he is hoping to be the first-ever winner of this award in Kentucky’s long and illustrious history. He’d also be the first safety to win since Miami’s Jamal Davis in Season 19.
Offensive Player of the Year
Kentucky QB TJ Cunnington has so far had maybe one of the most fascinating, and polarizing, seasons in CFSL history. He has 2142 passing yards, more than 500 yards better than 2nd place in the CFSL right now. He also has 9 interceptions, most in the CFSL. His 11 passing touchdowns are tied for 4th most in the CFSL, but with that many passing yards the lack of more touchdowns might be one of the reasons Kentucky is 0-4. Can Cunnington win while missing the playoffs? I’d argue he needs to lead Kentucky out of this hole and into the playoffs, and then he might be a lock here. The interceptions will need to stop as well. Cunnington would be the 2nd Kentucky guy to win this award, after Moses King in Season 16.
Ohio State QB Jaylen Tyree won this award last season. Once again, Ohio State is rolling and so is he. His 16 passing touchdowns lead the CFSL after four weeks. Pair that with just 4 interceptions, and you have a recipe for one of the premier talents in the CFSL. He’s looking for revenge too after the early upset in the playoffs last season. Ohio State has won this award twice, including last season. But if Tyree wins twice, he’d join Texas legend Ray Tatum as the only player to achieve that feat. Tatum won twice in Seasons 4 and 5.
Miami HB Bo Yost is competing with Colorado HB Taylor James for the mantle of best HB in the CFSL. I chose Yost here just because of how many touchdowns he keeps scoring for the Hurricanes. Miami didn’t beat UNC last week without Yost, and he is the heart of this team right now. He’s already been an All-American twice, not to mention Freshman of the Year. While he also could win Most Outstanding Senior, this award and a National Championship are what I think he is really after. Yost would be the second Miami winner of this award, joining Deuce Bolden from Season 19. He’d also be the HB winner of this award since Ohio State HB Frost Carlson won in Season 6.
