We are at the halfway point in season seven, so it’s time for our Mid-season Awards and All-American watch list. A seven person panel voted on their choices and without further delay, let’s reveal our mid-season award candidates.
Offensive Player of the Year
QB Griffin Jelkic (Sr) – Auburn
76.2% 1331 yards, 14 TD, 1 INT; 33 rush, 123 yards, 1 TD
Jelkic has been on fire to start the season and he has his Auburn Tigers sitting at a perfect 4-0 record at the halfway point. Jelkic has completed 76% of his passes thus far for 1331 yards and an impressive 14/1 Touchdown-to-interception ratio. If the Slavic Slinger, as he has become known, can continue this type of play, he just might lead the Tigers to back-to-back CFSL Titles, a first in league history.
Others to watch – QB Leo Asiata – Notre Dame, QB Gage Youngblood – LSU, QB Clayton Denny – Texas, HB Dior Chapman – Michigan, WR Ray Conley – Texas
Defensive Player of the Year
SS Ollie P. Peters (Sr) – Auburn
35 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 sack, 4 INT, PD
The farewell tour for OPP, one of the league’s most memorable players, has got off to a fantastic start as another Auburn Tiger is being recognized at the halfway point (maybe it’s time to take the #hardwarecity tag away from Texas)? Peters is one of the most all around defensive players we have ever seen and currently leads the league in interceptions (4), something that is not often done from the Strong Safety spot. As mentioned prior with Jelkic, OPP has a shot to bring home another title before he rides off into the sunset.
Others to watch – MLB Isaiah Fowler – Ohio State, MLB Mark Calloway – Auburn, MLB Martavis Marriott – LSU, MLB Benjamin Kaye – USC, FS Isaac Krout – Clemson
Most Improved Player
QB Leo Asiata (Jr) – Notre Dame
S6: 62.9%, 1668 yards, 8 TD, 8 INT; 73 rush, 264 yards, 5 TD
S7: 70.9%, 1520 yards, 13 TD, 3 INT
My oh my has Leo Asiata come out of nowhere this season for the Irish. Last year Asiata was ranked near the bottom of the CFSL in completion percentage (62.9%) and had an 8-8 Touchdown-to-Interception Ratio. The Junior QB has turned things around dramatically in season 7, completing 71% of his passes and an impressive 13-3 ratio. He is creeping up on his passing totals from season 6 and is tied for the league lead with total Touchdowns. Asiata has the Fighting Irish back in the playoff picture and has the Notre Dame faithful believing again.
Others to watch – WR Tim Cope – USC, QB Mathias St. John – Florida
Freshman of the Year
QB Gage Youngblood – LSU
75.3%, 1523 yards, 14 TD, 5 INT, Rushing TD
The highly touted freshman has lived up to every bit of hype for the Tigers thus far. He has completed 75% of his passes for 1523 yards and has thrown 14 touchdowns to only 3 interceptions. Youngblood has looked poised in the pocket and has turned this expansion team into one of the more exciting offenses and teams overall in the CFSL. Can a freshman lead his team to a title in their first CFSL season? If he keeps playing the way he has, there is a chance that happens.
Others to watch – QB Clayton Denny – Texas, MLB Isaiah Fowler – Ohio State, WR Bradyen Ennis – Ohio State, HB Dior Chapman – Michigan, FS Isaac Krout – Clemson
AD of the Year
Pack (Auburn)
What to say about Pack? The most legendary AD in the CFSL, one of two original ADs left. Pack has been scratching at the door for seasons, suffering heartbreakers in titles games until last season. The Tigers got their first title in S6 and haven’t looked back yet as Pack has his Auburn Tigers out to a 4-0 start as they look to become the first ever undefeated team and two-time champion in CFSL history.
Others to watch – RussellMania – LSU, HunkyDory – Florida, BlackPaw – USC
All Americans
QB – Griffin Jelkic (Sr) – Auburn
See (Offensive Player of the Year) for Jelkic who has been so valuable to an Auburn Tigers team looking to repeat and destroy anyone who tries to stop them.
Others to watch: Leo Asiata (Notre Dame), Gage Youngblood (LSU), Clayton Denny (Texas)
HB – Dior Chapman (Fr) – Michigan, Dowdy Dowell (Sr) – Nebraska
The freshman phenom Dior Chapman has renovated this Michigan offense into a run offense after the departure of Dewey Ainge to the draft. Chapman is 2nd in the league in rush yards and total yards and first in total touchdowns.The future is bright for this young man. Dowell pulled his name out of the NFL draft at the last possible second to return to Lincoln to try and finish what he started. Serving as a mentor for a young Cornhuskers squad, Dowell is leading the league in rushing and helped Nebraska get a big win over Ohio State last week.
Others to watch: Robert Davis (Auburn), Bentley Jones (Florida), Kaiden Saint III (Notre Dame)
WR – Ray Conley (Sr) – Texas, Brayden Ennis (Fr) – Ohio State, Dijon Swann (Sr) – Notre Dame
Two of the three on this list are household names by now in CFSL. Ray Conley and Dijon Swann are two of the greatest and most decorated receivers to ever play in the CFSL and look to finish their senior seasons strong and hopefully with a title. The name that isn’t familiar is freshman Brayden Ennis from the young Ohio State Buckeyes. Ennis comes into the halfway point ranked 2nd in receiving yards and receiving TDs and hopes to ignite his Buckeyes squad to make a playoff run.
Others to watch: Lord Helix (Texas), Keith Blazer (Clemson), Tim Cope (USC)
TE – Michael McKenzie (So) – Auburn
Since the S6 Title game performance where McKenzie went absolutely bonkers on USC, he has continued his great play into S7, leading all tight end-s in receiving yards and receiving TDs. He is an absolute necessity and luxury to Griffin Jelkic and this Auburn Tigers success.
Others to watch: Marcus Buford (LSU), Houston Freeman (Alabama), Alistair Kye (Notre Dame)
DL – Bryson Gallo (Sr) – Oregon, Mohammad Dmour (Sr) – Florida, Mike Merell (Sr) -Texas
Gallo to be the next great CFSL 3 star as he sprints into the halfway point, leading all Defensive Linemen in Tackles and tackles for loss. He ranks 2nd in sacks behind Mike Merrell who also makes this list for the Texas Longhorns. Mohammad Dmour is a name we have heard before and is part of the best pass rush in the CFSL this season for Florida. Dmour is a big reason why the Gators have turned things around this season and find themselves in a playoff spot.
Others to watch: Bill McCallister (Clemson), Aaron Josephs (Nebraska), Conrad Wallace (Auburn)
LB – Isaiah Fowler (Fr) – Ohio State, Mark Calloway (Jr) – Auburn, Martavis Marriott (Jr) – LSU
The freshman Fowler has blown onto the scene in the CFSL and has replaced defending DPOY Mark Calloway as the games best linebacker in season 7. Fowler leads all CFSL Linebackers in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, and interceptions and has really helped his young buckeyes team to get their feet wet in the league. Calloway and Marriott are guys we have come to know, and fear around the league. Calloway is a true field general and is leading Auburn into another successful season. Marriott transferred from Ohio State to LSU in the offseason and has helped the expansion Tigers to a 3-1 record and hopefully a playoff spot in their inaugural season.
Others to watch: Benjamin Kaye (USC), Shoto Pence (Notre Dame), Tyson Cane Blade (Alabama)
CB – Wayne Finnegan (Fr) – Ohio State, Tom Pence (Sr) – Florida State, Jonathon Green (So) – USC
Another talented freshman from Ohio State lands on this list as Wayne Finnegan, one of the better tackling CBs we have seen, leads all corners in tackles and interceptions. Ohio State has a bright future with him and Fowler. Tom Pence is a league favorite and perennial contender for all-american honors and this year is no different. Pence transferred to the re-launched Florida State program in the offseason, but there is no dropoff in production as he continues his dominant performance. Jonathon Green has been one of the better cover corners we have seen this season, coming into the halfway point with 3 interceptions and 3 passes defended as is a big reason why USC is sitting at 3-1.
Others to watch: Devin Hill (Nebraska), Jackson Stone (Notre Dame), TJ Keene (LSU)
S – Ollie P. Peters (Sr) – Auburn, Isaac Krout (Fr) – Clemson, Cai Brummer (Fr) – Oregon
The Senior star OPP makes this list to nobody’s surprise as he also was honored as the mid-season defensive player of the year. The other two on this list are freshmen that have broken out for their Clemson and Oregon and have proved that they were worth their prospect grades. Krout is as versatile as they come, leading the CFSL safeties in tackles and has shown his hit power to be a factor as well. Oh yeah, he plays offense for the Tigers as well. Brummer is a lock down free safety that teams have to be weary of when throwing over the top. He excels in both man and zone coverage and is the future of this Oregon defense.
Others to watch: Perry Pennel (Miami), Peyton Myles (USC), Zachrey Carter (Alabama)
K – Friar Cook (Sr) – Auburn
A team is only as strong as its kicker and Friar Cook and Auburn have proved that. Cook has converted 13/14 field goals this season and is a perfect 17/17 on extra points. The kicking game is lethal for this high scoring offense.
Others to watch: Remy Boudreaux (LSU), Gunther Poland (Notre Dame), Gunner Graham (Texas)
Returner – Dijon Swann (Sr) – Notre Dame
This year has been quite strange as far as special teams go as we have yet to see a kick return touchdown in the league this season. For that reason, we will give this to the guy who averages the most yardage per return and puts his offense in great field position to start their drives.
Others to watch: Blaze Gunner (Miami), Colt Youngblood (LSU), Lamar Fant (Alabama), Kellan Ervin (Florida)
