By: Ryan Moreland (@ryanmoreland)
Last night, the winners of the Season 22 Awards were announced on the Inside Blitz Podcast, but if you missed that (or need a refresher) this article has you covered. The following are the nominees and the winners for each award.
Most Improved Player
Nominees: FS Demontrey Bones – LSU, CB Will Brown – West Virginia, WR Dakoda Cydrus – LSU, HB Ryan Greenfield – Texas A&M, LB Spike Hall – Michigan, HB CryZen Mai – Alabama, WR Jamarcus Simpson III – USC, DT Levi Smallwood – Clemson
Winner: HB CryZen MaI – Alabama
Mai had 415 rushing yards (3.5 YPC) and 3 rushing touchdowns last season as a freshman. This season he had over 1,000 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. His jump in production was huge! He was third in the league in rushing yards this season and helped Alabama finish the regular season undefeated.
Mai is the first half-back to win the award since Toby Knerr in Season 18. He is also the second Alabama player to win this award. Terrence Jones was the first in Season 16.
Freshman of the Year
Nominees: LB Brandon Carr – West Virginia, HB Kelby Fulton – Tennessee, WR Speedy Hernandez – Colorado, CB Haden Jackson – Florida State, HB David Michael – Michigan State, QB Bear Michaels – Florida State, SS Noah Radloff – Texas A&M, DE Ryker Repko – Penn State
Winner: SS Noah Radloff – Texas A&M
Radloff had a massive season for the Aggies. He was one of only three players with over 100 tackles this season and tied for the league lead. Radloff also had four interceptions (tied for 8th), 11 PDs (tied for 3rd), and 2 forced fumbles (tied for league lead). His ability to make plays at every level helped the Aggies get back to the National Championship Game.
Radloff is the first safety to ever win this award. He is only the third defensive player to ever win it (Boise State’s Bo Diddle and Ohio State’s Isaiah Fowler were the first two). He is also the first Aggie to ever win this award.
Most Outstanding Senior
Nominees: CB Joe Bady – Michigan State, QB Windham Carter – Michigan, FS Ryan Downie – Michigan, LB Drew Hardy – Penn State, WR Jamarcus Simpson III – USC, DE Jesse Stork – Ohio State, HB Bo Yost – Miami
Winner: Bo Yost – Miami
It is hard to overstate how prolific Bo Yost’s career has been and he finished it with a bang. Yost led the league in rushing, totaling 1,387 yards and a staggering 18 rushing touchdowns. Not only that, but he led Miami to their second-ever National Championship victory.
Bo Yost is the first HB to win this award since Duane Sammons won it in Season 15. Yost is also the third Miami player to win this award. First was Blaze Gunner in Season 9 and the second was Sam Dobbins in Season 19.
Broadcaster of the Year
Nominees: Jeff Melinyshyn, Ryan Moreland, Nate Murphy, Kade Padgett, David Ware
Winner: David Ware
For the second straight season, Ware takes home the Broadcaster of the Year Award. He called games on Monday and Tuesday Nights all season long, called plenty of playoff games, and made his booth debut in the National Championship this season.
Content Creator of the Year
Nominees: Cole Mantell, Ryan Moreland, David Ware
Winner: Cole Mantell
Cole has been a key piece to the CFSL Content Team for a long time now. His regular pieces (like new AD interviews, team needs, and the SEC Blog are articles that many in the league look forward to. However, it was the Cole Mantell Podcast that pushed him over the top. The Podcast has been a must-listen/watch since its inception and proved to be a gem in recruiting news.
This is the first season this award has been given out, so Cole is the first recipient.
Team Spirit Award
Nominees: Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, USC, Virginia Tech
Winner: Virginia Tech
It was impossible to go anywhere in the league without seeing a few turkeys hanging out this season. Virginia Tech not only made a statement on the field this season but off it, as well. They had an active and engaged group, which got them this team award.
This is the first time Virginia Tech has ever won this award.
AD of the Year
Nominees: George Yost – Miami, Zach Davis – Ohio State, David Ware – Alabama, Tom Pence – Florida State, Kade Padgett – Texas A&M, Cory Mucci – Virginia Tech
Winner: David Ware – Alabama
It is hard not to vote for the guy who led the only undefeated team, right? David Ware and his Crimson Tide team were a perfect 8-0 in Season 22. This is the second time in school history that Alabama had an undefeated season (Season 13). In this era, this is an incredible accomplishment.
Ware is the first Alabama AD to ever win this award.
Offensive Player of the Year
Nominees: QB Johnny Ray Davis – Alabama, QB Himoteo Del Este – Oklahoma, QB Jamesyn Golde – USC, WR Jamarcus Simpson III – USC, QB Jaylen Tyree – Ohio State, HB Bo Yost – Miami
Winner: Bo Yost – Miami
Bo Yost added more hardware to his collection. Since I talked about his fantastic season accomplishments earlier, I will take this opportunity to talk about his career. Yost retired with the fourth most rushing yards in league history and the fifth most rushing touchdowns. He cemented himself as one of the best running backs to ever play in the CFSL.
Yost is only the second halfback to ever win this award. The first was Frost Carlson in Season 6. Yost is also the second Miami player to ever win this award. The first was Deuce Bolden in Season 19.
Defensive Player of the Year
Nominees: LB Brandon Chen – Texas, FS Ryan Downie – Michigan, LB Akuma Hunter – Oklahoma, CB Jules Sanders – Colorado, DE Jesse Stork – Ohio State, CB Roman Ware – Alabama
Winner: Roman Ware – Alabama
Alabama’s junior corner had one heck of a season. He tied for the league lead with 8 interceptions, had 64 tackles, 8 PDs, 7 TFLs, and a pick-six. There is no doubt he played a major role in their undefeated season.
Ware is the first Alabama player to ever win this award. While the history of this award is filled with linebackers and defensive linemen, Ware is the fourth straight DB to win it.
Fan of the Year
Nominees: 4CD9095 – Texas, DeepState – Ohio State, NateSnare – Virginia Tech, Nico Dennis – Tennessee, PyroFalcon – Virginia Tech, Vennom – USC
Winner: NateSnare – Virginia Tech
I called a lot of games this season (six a week and then a lot in the playoffs) and I don’t know that I called a game that I didn’t see NateSnare in. He was incredibly active this season and it seemed like you would find him everywhere you went.
Nate is the first Virginia Tech player to win this award.
