By: Cole Mantell (@lightningdragon)
I’ve made a bit of a tradition out of a few of the common articles I write, and once again that includes who is looking great halfway through the season. Halfway through Season 21, there is so much to discuss and dissect. Once again, let’s take a look at who the Midseason Award Contenders are, and what that tells about the story of Season 21 so far.
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. For those wondering, UNC TE Cadbury Wellington was the last player to win multiple end-of-season awards (Most Outstanding Senior and Offensive Player of the Year) in the same season. With that said, let’s dive into the races for all ten awards.
Fan Of The Year
PyroFalcon has been a longtime league member, coach, and even broadcaster. Considering he is a member of the expansion Virginia Tech Hokies this season, he would be the first ever major award winner for the team if he won this award. He has stiff competition for this award, but while VT is still finding a team identity on the field, he is their undisputed locker room leader off the field.
State has been waiting so long to win this award, it almost feels criminal to have to write him in this piece again. To be fair, he’s gone up against tough competition throughout the past few seasons. However, until he wins it at least once I feel obligated to at least include him in the possible nominees, given his regular nominations and personal drive towards winning the award. While UNC has had a flurry of award winners the past few seasons, he would be the first-ever Fan of the Year for the Tar Heels if he won.
Tankasaurusrex has been one of the largest locker room presence in the league, first at Auburn and now at Florida State. A relative of college football stars, he knows how to build a winning culture. He’s been a presence around the league long enough that I’d be surprised through his work this season if he isn’t at least nominated for the award. If he were to win, he’d become the first-ever winner of Fan of the Year for FSU, an award I’m shocked AD Tom Pence hasn’t had a player win yet.
Broadcaster of the Year
David Ware is someone the league knows for two things. He’s the Alabama AD and an incredible voice throughout the airwaves of the CFSL. While his first job might be an unforgivable sin, his touchdown calls are probably the best in the CFSL right now. He has the voice to win this award and will garner more votes as his presence has increased. Expect him to contend for the award and get some prime playoff assignments this season.
Nate Murphy is maybe the most underrated broadcaster of all time in the CFSL. He’s one of only five people ever to win this award, and he’s won it twice. Only because he tied in the voting with Cole Mantell both times do I think he is not given as much credit as he deserves. To put my own biases on the table, ever since I retired from the booth full-time, I’ve voted for Nate every season since. I think he’s done another great job this season, and am fully in his corner to get his first solo win this season.
Ryan Moreland has broken every record in this category once held by some of the greatest names this league has to offer. He’ll be a favorite for an inconceivable 5th Broadcaster of the Year Award. Cole Mantell is the only other person to win 4 Broadcasters of the Year Awards, and he tied twice with Nate Murphy in his run, unlike Ryan. On a personal note, I’m excited for him to break my record possibly this season, and wish him all the best. He’s taken our profession to new heights in the CFSL, and if this is the year he cements himself as the best broadcaster of all time, congratulations my friend. On an unrelated note, he’s also the editor of this article, so I’m sure he will make my writing look extra nice for the next month or so after this piece.
Team Spirit
Auburn is a contender once again for this award, having won the Team Spirit award last season. Interestingly, two of the past three winners of the award have won it twice in a row. Oklahoma State won twice in Seasons 15 and 16, while Georgia won twice in Seasons 17 and 18. Auburn (at the time of writing) has yet to lose a regular season game under AD Justin Duke and has been a huge presence both on and off the field the past few seasons. Right now, they are in a good position to continue that history and will make their names known once again for the Team Spirit Award.
Michigan State has transformed under second-year AD Antonio McDaniel. The Spartans still have some work to do but have already started the season 2-2 after going 1-7 last season. One of the biggest talking points this offseason was how many former Illinois players made their way over to Michigan State the past few seasons. Well, Illinois won the Team Spirit Award in Season 19. If any of those same guys are in the Michigan State locker room, it stands to reason there is a lot of know-how in that locker room on what it takes to be the best Team Spirit in the CFSL.
USC is the reigning National Champions, and they have the locker room to back it up. One of the most outspoken and prideful teams in the CFSL, the Trojans once again are looking to repeat as National Champions. The road will be much tougher this season, and the Big 10 may just be the best conference in the CFSL this season. Still, the team is always a fixture at the top of the CFSL food chain, and their locker room will let you know it. USC, while they have two national championships, has not won this award since Season 6. That makes this award a top priority for the team, and one for which they should be nominated going off the first half of Season 21.
AD of the Year
Daniel Gunn (UNC) has engineered a slow, methodical turnaround for UNC since they entered the CFSL. The Tar Heels won their first conference title last season in winning the ACC. Now, if they can take that next step in the playoffs, the AD of the Tar Heels will get some love for this award. Daniel Gunn’s team has been 0-4 in the playoffs since UNC entered the CFSL. If he can change that this season, the only ever AD of UNC might just earn the first-ever AD of the Year award for UNC.
Dustin Hall (Oklahoma) in his return to Oklahoma was predicted to not even make the playoffs in his return to Norman in some publications. Well, we can put that theory to bed. Through four games, Oklahoma not only is an easy bet to be a playoff team, but they are also the favorite to win their first Big XII title since Season 18. Coincidentally, Season 18 under Vinny Mixon was the only other AD of the Year award for the program. Dustin Hall has been a successful presence in this league for such a long time, it almost feels overdue with his performance this season he wins this particular award.
Zach Davis (Ohio State) is a clear contender, and maybe the favorite, after four weeks of play. After going 2-6 in Season 20, Davis has transformed this squad into a 4-0 juggernaut that is probably the favorite to win the Big 10 outright. The Buckeyes’ ultimate goal is their first National Championship since Season 10, but Zach Davis has the chance to make history of his own here in this category. He is looking to be the first-ever Ohio State AD to win AD of the Year, and with this team, he might just do it.
Freshman of the Year
Oklahoma QB Himoteo Del Este is one heck of a player, headlining an unusually small freshman QB class this season. He’s been the biggest reason for Oklahoma’s dominant start, passing with the best in the CFSL while also rushing better than most CFSL HBs. He’s maybe already the most dynamic player in the Big XII, and appointment viewing no matter who Oklahoma plays. He’s my favorite for this award after the first four weeks, and I’m not sure how close this race even is right now. Del Este would be the first Oklahoma winner ever of this award, and the first QB to win this award since FSU QB Zeus Claydon in Season 18.
Penn State CB Oscar Kellogg has played at a torrid pace in his freshman season for the Nittany Lions. His three interceptions so far are already tied for 2nd most ever in school history, with the record of six well in sight. If I were to pick any player right now in the CFSL who I thought could eventually be the first-ever player with 10 interceptions in a season, my pick would be Kellogg. Though I don’t think he will reach it this season, he’s got three more tries to hit that mark. Kellogg would be the first-ever CB and first defensive player since Boise State DE Bo Diddle in Season 10 to win this award. He’d also be Penn State’s first-ever major on-field award winner.
Virginia Tech WR Savannah Ozler has been the best among a competitive class of freshmen WRs in the CFSL this season. She’s led the Virginia Tech Hokies in receiving in their expansion season and has been a reliable pass catcher VT QB Saint Major. Still, with only 20 catches so far Olzer will need to be used more not only so the Hokies can win some games, but also so Ozler can get more exposure for this award. Considering this is Virginia Tech’s first season in the CFSL, this would be the school’s first-ever major on-field award win. Olzer would also be the first WR to win this award since Washington’s August Alexander in Season 13.
Most Outstanding Senior
Florida State QB Zeus Claydon would represent a great story if he won this award. The winner of the Season 18 Freshman of the Year Award, he would become the first player to win both Freshman of the Year and Most Outstanding Senior in CFSL history. Claydon is easily the best-rated senior QB in the CFSL at midseason, leading his Florida State Seminoles to a 3-1 first-half record. He would be the first Seminole to win this award since Isaac Frost in Season 14. He would also be the third QB to win this award in a row after Miami QB Sam Dobbins won in Season 19 and LSU QB Beau Dale won last season. Senior WR Dave Axis, Claydon’s teammate, is also a potential winner of this award, but more on him a bit later in this article.
Georgia FS Malik Austin has seemingly flown under the radar his entire career. Not this season. He’s a big part of a Georgia defense that has multiple individual leaders in multiple categories on defense this season. Austin has never won any award, never been an All-American, and now sits 2nd in the CFSL with 41 tackles at the time of writing. It’s been a breakout season for Austin, who is hoping to be the first-ever Georgia Bulldog to ever win an individual major on-field award. He would also be the first defensive player to win this award since Florida CB Lincoln Griffin in Season 17.
Ohio State WR Lincoln Martin has been a force for the Buckeyes in their rise this season. The former Alabama and Penn State WR has six receiving touchdowns, tied for 2nd among all CFSL receivers this season thus far. He’s been particularly efficient, registering 22 catches and only 1 drop so far in the Season 21 campaign. Martin would be the first-ever Ohio State Buckeye to win this award. He’d also be the first WR to win this award since Florida WR Levi Temes in Season 12.
Most Improved Player
Florida TE Ricky Lewis has been great in a resurgent Florida offense. After 461 total receiving yards last season, Lewis has 359 in just 4 games so far. He leads all Tight Ends in receiving yards and will be a candidate for All-American at the position at the end of the season. Talk about a turnaround that represents the turnaround for Florida this season compared to the last. Lewis would be the first Florida Gator to win this award since QB Ronnie Blevins in Season 12. He would also be the first Tight End ever to win this award.
Georgia MLB Jad McPherson is another member of the previously mentioned Bulldog defense who has shown out this season. With 41 tackles and 2 forced fumbles already through 4 weeks, McPherson is on a warpath through opposing offenses so far this season. All from a guy who only had 57 tackles total all of last season in this same defense. In a category that seems dominated by defensive contenders this season, McPherson stands out among his peers. As stated previously in this article, McPherson would be the first-ever Georgia Bulldog to win a major on-field award. He’d be the first defensive player to win this award since Oklahoma State DE Justin Williams back in Season 9!
Texas A&M DE Rand Rockwell has been holding down the fort for the Aggie defense this season. After a freshman season where he had 23 tackles, 9 TFLs, and 4 sacks in 8 games, he’s become a bona fide star. In his sophomore season, through 4 games, Rockwell has 20 tackles, 10 TFLs, and 6 sacks. He’s been nothing short of the best defensive player on Texas A&M and will get consideration for this and a few other awards. Rockwell would be the first Aggie to win this award and as mentioned, the first DE since Justin Williams in Season 9 to win this award as well.
Defensive Player of the Year
Alabama OLB Brett Slate is maybe the underrated candidate for this award, but don’t count him out just yet. He leads the CFSL with 3 forced fumbles, along with 8 TFLs, 4th most in the CFSL. Slate is a versatile defender who might be the hardest tackler in the SEC right now. He’s going to need to continue at this pace statistically to have a chance at this award, however. Slate would be the first-ever Alabama player to win this award. He would also be the first linebacker since Florida OLB Tymundus Bell in Season 17 to win this award as well.
Texas CB Valente Martinez is the best defensive back in this league, with apologies to Ziggy Zelinski. Martinez has been an all-around monster for the Longhorns, notching a CFSL-leading 4 interceptions and 2 defensive touchdowns. He’s helped Texas become one of the best defenses in the country, and he’s just getting started this season. Martinez winning would be the 4th time Texas has won this award. However, he’d be the first Longhorn to win this award since SS Joey Cass in Season 13.
Texas DE Owen Moreland has been the league leader in TFLs all season. His 13 TFLs are 3 more than anyone else at the moment. His 5 sacks are tied for 3rd in the CFSL as well. Moreland has a big last name to live up to, and so far this season it seems like he has. The Longhorns’ defense runs through Moreland, and he’s shown he’s more than capable of that challenge. Moreland winning would be the same as Martinez in terms of how long it has been for Texas in this category. He’d also be the first DE to win this award since Miami DE Laci White in Season 18.
Offensive Player of the Year
Alabama WR Troy Tree has crushed opposing defenses so far this season. His 7 receiving touchdowns all have seemingly come in different, awe-inspiring ways. He joins Dave Axis as the two clear WR leaders for this award. In another season where no QB has separated from the competition as much as they used to, Tree could be the guy who benefits. Tree would be the first Alabama player to ever win this award, somehow. He would be the first WR to win this award since Miami WR Deuce Bolden in Season 19.
Florida QB Jack Schmidt has been a sensational story this season, leading Florida to a 3-1 record through great passing and an efficient offense. The one number to keep in mind is QB Rating. So far, Jack Schmidt leads the CFSL with a 202.3 QB Rating through 4 weeks. That stat has a strong correlation with winning this award, and right now, Schmidt is the only player above 200. Schmidt would be the first Florida Gator to win this award since Florida WR Levi Temes in Season 12, and second ever. He would be the 2nd QB in a row to win this award after Auburn QB Jay Duke won Offensive Player of the Year last season.
Florida State WR Dave Axis joins his teammate and QB Zeus Claydon as the two Florida State stars on offense this season. While Claydon could also win here, Axis has the all-around numbers and is leading the CFSL in receiving yards at the moment. That’s why I’m putting him here and Claydon earlier in the article, though both could win either this award or Most Outstanding Senior. There is a long history of great WRs and this award in this league, and Axis would be the first WR Offensive Player of the Year since Deuce Bolden in Season 19 for Miami. He would be the second-ever FSU Offensive Player of the Year, joining QB Jim Carr from Season 14.
