By Cole Mantell (@LightningDragon)
There are many awards in the CFSL, but of course, winning only one matters to most players. The National Championship may be the award most players covet, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t many other big awards for the best players our league has to offer. So, as we get near the award voting season, let’s take a look at the major awards given out and which players may win said awards.
For this article, we will review each of the ten major awards in the CFSL, presented in no particular order. While I have a terrible track record in these predictions, maybe trying this article later in the season will help my case. The rules for this are simple. I am going to list three players (or people) for each award. I will list each player a maximum of once, so I’m choosing the award the player is most likely to win this season, in my opinion. Of course, it is also possible that a player could win multiple awards, but that is rare in the history of the CFSL. In each award category, players are listed in alphabetical order. And finally, the awards are listed in no particular order, except the order I like. So let’s get into it.
Freshman of the Year
Auburn QB Zacchaeus Mosley has had an excellent freshman season, and QBs always get a boost in voting come award season. The top freshman QB in QB Rating, Mosley, has helped power Auburn to a 5-1 record and first place in the SEC. If Auburn wins another SEC title, it will be done with Mosley leading the way. Mosley would be the first Auburn Tiger to win the award. He would be the first QB to win Freshman of the Year since Oklahoma QB Himoteo Del Este in Season 21.
Nebraska HB Tyler Archer has been the engine behind the breakthrough expansion season for the returning Nebraska Cornhuskers. For a team that seems no one picked to make the playoffs, Nebraska can compete with the Big XII so far, with Archer as one of the big stars. The young HB has been excellent and has a bright future on the path he is on. He and the Cornhuskers, too. Archer would be the first-ever Nebraska player to win the award. He would be the first halfback to win Freshman of the Year since Ryan Ralosky in Season 20.
Penn State QB Colter Thomas has been a two-way dynamo for Penn State in his freshman season. Along with Richard Williams II, the Penn State rushing offense has been their best offensive weapon this season. Similar to Mosley, Colter Thomas has kept Penn State afloat, and Thomas will be a weapon the Penn State Nittany Lions can build around for the future. Like Mosley, Thomas would be the first Freshman of the Year since Del Este in Season 21. He’d also be the first Freshman of the Year ever for Penn State.
Most Outstanding Senior
Florida QB Jack Schmidt has been excellent once again for the Florida Gators this season, even if they are now fighting for their playoff lives. During his four seasons in Gainesville, Schmidt has been maybe the best pure passer in the CFSL. He has yet to win any major awards, however, and this could be his first. Schmidt would be the third Florida Gator to win this award, following Levi Temes in Season 12 and Lincoln Griffin in Season 17. He would be the first QB to win this award since LSU (and former Florida) QB Beau Dale in Season 20.
Miami QB TJ Cunnington transferred to Miami for his senior season and has led Miami into the post-Bo Yost era well. He is in a tight race with Jack Schmidt for this award, along with an HB we will mention later in this article. But between the two QBs, it may come down to the final few weeks of voting to see if one of these two QBs can stand out and take this trophy. Cunnington again would be the first QB to win this award since LSU QB Beau Dale in Season 20. He would also be the fourth Miami Hurricane to win this award. Miami HB Bo Yost won this award last season.
North Carolina SS Ava Navarro would be my defensive pick to win this award, if it doesn’t go to a QB or HB. Navarro has been excellent defending the back line of the defense for UNC, and currently sits tied for 2nd in the CFSL in interceptions. Navarro is an all-around safety who should easily get All-American consideration for her position. The question is now, can she win a much bigger award? Navarro would be the 2nd UNC player to win this award, after Cadbury Wellington won in Season 18. She would be the first ever safety to win this award, and the first defensive player to win this award since Oklahoma State DE Les McAdoo in Season 16.
Most Improved Player
Oregon QB Alexa Earl is the annual QB entry for this award consideration. QBs are no stranger to this list, and Earl has been excellent, improving Oregon back into playoff contention. She still has a ways to go to be in consideration for the best QB in the country, but Oregon is a better team with her at the helm. Oregon has a long list of great QBs in their history, and Earl is looking to join that pantheon, depending on how their playoff runs go. Earl would be the first-ever Oregon player to win this award. She would be the first QB to win this award since Ohio State QB Jaylen Tyree in Season 21.
Penn State HB Richard Williams II had maybe more recruiting hype than almost anyone in recent CFSL history. His first season for Penn State wasn’t bad, but given the team’s poor record and the offensive struggles that led to it, there was a lot of room for improvement this season. Penn State has done just that, and the Nittany Lions are now solidly a playoff contender behind Williams and the rushing offense. While I think Williams will need to keep playing well on a deeper playoff run to get consideration here, Williams has been much better this season and is a player Penn State can build around. Williams would be the first ever winner of this award from Penn State. This would be the 2nd year in a row an HB wins the award if Williams wins, as Alabama HB CryZen Mai won this award last season.
Texas A&M WR Jimbo Hawk came to Texas A&M as a transfer from Michigan State. Hawk immediately has become the #1 option for the Aggies and is a big reason behind the great offense in College Station this season. Texas A&M QB Malcom Streets has looked much improved this season, with Hawk being a big reason why. Texas A&M will need Hawk to continue being great in the playoffs, as the Aggies look to finally get over the Championship hump this season. Hawk would be the first winner of this award ever from Texas A&M. Hawk would be the first WR to win this award since Miami WR Deuce Bolden won this award in Season 19.
Defensive Player of the Year
Alabama FS Nikolai Storm will get much more than All-American consideration for his outstanding freshman season for the Crimson Tide. No one in the SEC has as many interceptions currently as Storm, and the Crimson Tide have turned around their season in part thanks to strong defensive play, especially from Storm. Alabama, making a deep playoff run this season, will need to depend on Storm and this defense, and he certainly has been great so far. Alabama never had a player win Defensive Player of the Year until last season, when CB Roman Ware won the award. Storm would be the first safety to win this award since Jamal Davis in Season 19.
Georgia OLB King Harris is an all-around star for the Bulldogs this season, and now has a sizable lead in the CFSL in tackles. A possible candidate for Most Outstanding Senior as well, Harris has been a bright spot for the Georgia defense this season. Harris had one last season in the CFSL to make his mark, and now has a chance to go down in Georgia (and CFSL) history. Georgia has never had a player win Defensive Player of the Year. Harris would be the first linebacker to win this award since Tymundus Bell in Season 17.
Miami CB Devin Yost would represent a long line of winners from Miami for this award, including one with familial ties. Yost has been outstanding on defense for the Hurricanes this season. That includes leading the CFSL in interceptions outright and being the only CFSL player with two defensive touchdowns so far this season. A heavy favorite for Freshman of the Year as well, Yost is a must-see talent in the making for Miami. Yost would be the fourth Miami Hurricane to win this award, after George Yost in Season 16, Laci White in Season 18, and Jamal Davis in Season 19. Yost would also be the fourth CB in a row to win this award, after Amarion Xander Martel in Season 20, Chuy Baca in Season 21, and Roman Ware last season.
Offensive Player of the Year
Auburn HB Thomas Scally is my underdog pick to win this award. In reality, this seems like a two horse race right now, with the two guys listed after Scally being the heavy favorites right now to win. However, if I had to pick someone else besides Del Este or James to win, my pick is either Texas A&M WR Jimbo Hawk or Scally. Scally has been a underrated engine for the dominant Auburn Tigers this season, and recent performances have blown away the competition through him. Scally will need to somehow overtake James to have a chance at this award, however. Scally would be the third winner of this award from Auburn, after Blake Moon in Season 1 and Jay Duke in Season 20.
Colorado HB Taylor James is a name well-known to both fans and award voters. In reality, half of these player awards might go to him this season. After Bo Yost graduated last season, James has been the lone dominant HB ruling over the CFSL. For one more season, defenses tremble when they see James suit up on the other side of the field. He is a CFSL legend who, along with Yost, has run into the history record books. Outside a late challenge from Scally, no one has challenged James yet for that top HB spot (for now). James would be the first ever winner of this award from Colorado. In a fitting twist, he would be the 2nd HB in a row to win this award, after Bo Yost last season.
Oklahoma QB Himoteo Del Este has once again been the dynamo for Oklahoma this season. Del Este has led Oklahoma not only to success, but a dominant, undefeated season where the Sooners remain the #1 team in the country. The only thing missing from Del Este’s Hall of Fame resume is a National Championship, something that could very easily change as soon as this season. Del Este would be the first ever winner of this award from Oklahoma. He’d be the first QB to win this award since Auburn QB Jay Duke in Season 20.
Broadcaster of the Year
Jeff Melinyshyn (Virginia Tech) is a name I eternally cannot spell. Sorry buddy. It seems Jeff has been in the running for this award every season, but he has yet to break through and win it. This might be his best chance. With many prime assignments and a great call on many great games this season, it would be a long wait rewarded for my former broadcast partner and teammate.
Nathan Murphy (West Virginia) is a name longtime viewers know well. Ever since Murphy tied with me twice in the voting for Broadcaster of the Year, I have voted for him every season in hopes Murphy would be able to win this award outright himself. I will do that once again this season, as Murphy has once again brought his outstanding voice to many great CFSL games.
Ryan Moreland (Texas) is the guy once again trying to break the tie with me for the amount of wins in Broadcaster of the Year. A great editor and broadcaster, his legend is already secured in CFSL history. But can he break my record this season? He’s done very well, and thus, this could finally be the season he does. Good luck.
Team Spirit
Iowa has returned to the CFSL with large acclaim, both on and off the field. In one of the toughest awards to win for CFSL teams, Iowa has a good chance here, led by an active locker room that is a credit to Iowa AD Matt Haase. Iowa has not previously won this award, and would be the first Big 10 winner since USC in Season 21.
Oklahoma has been reborn with the return of AD Dustin Hall. Hall has led his team to #1 in the polls, and outside of the on-field exploits, Hall has led a squad that is both active and fun. Del Este may be the most fun QB to watch in the CFSL, and Oklahoma is built around him in their championship run this season. Oklahoma has never won this award. The last Big XII team to win this award was Oklahoma State in Seasons 15 and 16.
Texas A&M has competed for this award many times now under Texas A&M AD Kade Padgett. An active squad, no one has seen more ups and downs in this league over the last few seasons than the Aggies. Is this the year the Aggies finally win it all? Whether or not they do, Texas A&M is another team to watch for this award, behind a great locker room culture that starts at the top. Texas A&M has never won this award in its history.
AD of the Year
Dustin Hall (Oklahoma) has been mentioned more than a few times already in this article, for good reason. How about the Sooners? #1 in the polls, the last undefeated team in the CFSL, and maybe now the odds-on favorites to win their first ever National Championship in team history. Of course, that all depends on how the playoffs go. But no AD may know that better than Hall. Oklahoma has won this award once previously, under former AD Vinny Mixon in Season 18.
Logan Wetzel (Clemson) has taken that next big step this season, with Wetzel leading Clemson not just into ACC contention, but into the National Championship contention. Given where Wetzel picked up this program, it is an awesome turnaround in a short period. Maybe Clemson wins the ACC this season. Maybe not. But no matter what, Clemson is here to stay for a long time. Wetzel is the biggest reason for this turnaround and should earn a nomination when the time comes here. Clemson has never won this award, and this would be the first ACC AD win since Miami AD George Yost won AD of the Year in Season 19.
Noah Johnson (Nebraska) has been nothing short of a miracle worker in Lincoln this season. Their playoff question is still unanswered. The Cornhuskers do have a tough final few weeks ahead, and just came off a disappointing loss to West Virginia. But still, most pundits (possibly myself included) left Nebraska for dead before Week 1. In a league with 24 teams, I struggled to find anyone before the season who had Nebraska ending the season ranked hypothetically higher than 20th. Not only is that not true, but Nebraska is solidly in the playoff conversation under new AD Noah Johnson. What a run for the Cornhuskers, and if they indeed do make the playoffs, Johnson will get heavy consideration for this award. Nebraska has never had an AD win this award. The last Big XII team to win this award was Oklahoma under former AD Vinny Mixon in Season 18.
Fan of the Year
Copperlotus (Notre Dame) has been somewhat of a locker room leader despite the disappointing season in South Bend. While Notre Dame is still rebuilding, there are leaders in the locker room and beyond, and Copperlotus is maybe the most visible example of that off the field. Maybe Notre Dame won’t win the National Championship this season, hot take, I know. But there is still a great locker room with Copperlotus leading it. Copperlotus would be the first winner of this award since Shane Razorback in Season 2, and only 2nd ever winner for the Fighting Irish.
NotHorns (Michigan) has been a huge presence for Michigan AD Aaron Ike and his staff. NotHorns now serves as the Recruiting Coordinator for Michigan, leading the team on and off the field. Michigan is in a tight playoff race in the Big 10, and NotHorns has been the center of the locker room during this big season for the Wolverines. NotHorns is looking to become the first winner of this prestigious award from Michigan since Topher Foreman in Season 17.
PyroFalcon (Virginia Tech) has become somewhat of a regular contender for this award. An energetic presence around the league, PyroFalcon has competed for this award with multiple teammates from Virginia Tech, and that will be the case once again this season. Virginia Tech will likely have multiple candidates nominated, but I can only choose one. Maybe this season, it will be PyroFalcon’s turn for glory. PyroFalcon would be the second winner in a row from Virginia Tech, after Nate Skinner won last season.
National Champion
This one is always a crapshoot. And to be honest, every season I do this, I don’t think I’ve ever chosen the National Champion here correctly. But what the heck, maybe this year I can choose three teams and one of them will win. My picks are Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Auburn, in terms of most likely to win it all. Congratulations to them. Or sorry for the jinx.
