By: Ryan Moreland (@ryanmoreland)
The Award winners were announced earlier this offseason on the Cole Mantell Show, but here they are again in case you missed it. And even if you didn’t miss it, I will be throwing in some tidbits you might not have known.
Most Improved Player
Winner: Himoteo Del Este, Oklahoma
This was Himoteo Del Este’s second major award (he won Freshman of the Year in Season 21). It is also the first time an Oklahoma player has won this award. Quarterbacks have historically done well in this category, winning the award nine times out of a possible 21.
Freshman of the Year
Winner: Quincey Asher, Alabama
This is the first major award in the career of Quincey Asher. He is the second ever Alabama player to win this award. The first was Ryan Ravenhill in Season 14. Asher is also only the second wide receiver to ever win the award. The first was Washington’s August Alexander in Season 13.
Most Outstanding Senior
Winner: Taylor James, Colorado
Surprisingly, this is the first major award in the career of Taylor James. He is also the first Colorado player to ever win the award. James is the third HB to win the award. The first two were Dane Jones of Clemson (Season 10) and Duane Sammons of Notre Dame (Season 15).
Content Creator of the Year
Winner: Cole Mantell
Mantell has now won this award twice. This is only the second season it has been given out, so he is the only person to have ever won it.
Broadcaster of the Year
Winner: Kade Padgett
This is Kade’s first win as Broadcaster of the Year. He is the seventh unique winner of the award in the 18 seasons the award has been given out.
Best Team Spirit Award
Winner: Iowa
This is the first time that Iowa has won the Team Spirit Award. Only two teams have ever successfully defended their Team Spirit crown before. They are Georgia in Seasons 17-18 and Oklahoma State in Seasons 15-16. Time will tell if Iowa can become the third.
AD of the Year
Winner: George Yost, Miami
This is the second time Yost has won AD of the Year. He is the only coach at Miami who has ever won the award. He is only the second AD to have won this award multiple times. Devan Davis of Kentucky (Seasons 15-16) was the first.
Offensive Player of the Year
Winner: Himoteo Del Este, Oklahoma
This was Himoteo Del Este’s third major award. He is the first Oklahoma player to win the award. He is the 17th quarterback to win the award in the 23 seasons it has been given out.
Defensive Player of the Year
Winner: Venny Wellington, North Carolina
This is the first major award win for Venny Wellington. It is also the first time a North Carolina player has won the award. He is the sixth defensive lineman to win the award and the first since Season 18.
Fan of the Year
Winner: DeepState/Vladimir Antkowiak, Ohio State
This is the first time Antkowiak has won the award. He has been on the ballot seven previous times. He is the third Ohio State player to win it. The first two were Zach Davis in Season 9 and Adric Khaan in Season 2.
