Preseason Recognition Continues to Pile Up For Jayhawks: 21 Days Until Kansas Football

The small trickle of preseason awards has turned into a waterfall of preseason watch list selections for numerous players.

Coming into year 3 of the Lance Leipold era, it's easy to point to how things are different for the Kansas Jayhawks this time around. Sure the players have a better handle on the systems, the coaches are more familiar with the players and working together in their current roles, and the surprising level of continuity have all combined to make this feel like it could be a breakthrough season for the Jayhawks.

But it is hard to quantify "good camp performance" or really get an idea of which players are going to be able to build on last season. That's why the numerous player of the year awards identify many of the most intriguing players at their positions on their watch lists. It can give fans a good idea of which players may be primed for a breakout season.

And the Jayhawks have been racking up those selections, with a total of 8 different players named to various watch lists in the last few weeks.

Seth Keller

Lou Groza Award

This is the second consecutive season that Keller has been named to the watch list for the Lou Groza Award, which honors the best kicker in college football. The preseason watch list recognizes 30 of the best returning kickers in the sport.

Mike Novitsky

Rimington Trophy

The senior center is appearing on the watch list for the Rimington Trophy for the fourth straight season. The preseason watch list was narrowed to the top 40 centers with the help of Pro Football Focus. This award is given to the best center in college football each season.

Kenny Logan

Paul Hornung Award

Logan was named to the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award for the third straight season. Given to the player that is deemed the most versatile in major college football, the award was created in 2010. Versatility is probably one of the best ways to describe the play of Logan, as he has received honors as both a safety and as a return man.

Mason Fairchild

John Mackey Award

Given to the most outstanding collegiate tight end, the John Mackey Award named 48 tight ends to their preseason watch list. Fairchild was tabbed coming off his All-Big 12 Second Team selection last season.

Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

This award recognizes student athletes for their community service efforts, academic performance and their impact on and off the field. Fairchild was one of 136 players nominated. The final roster will include 11 players from FBS teams, 11 more from FCS, Division II, Division III and the NAIA.

Cobee Bryant

Bronco Nagurski Trophy

Bryant is one of 96 defensive players that have been named to the watch list earlier this month for the Bronco Nagurski award, which honors the National Defensive Player of the Year. This is the first time a Kansas player has been named to the list since Daniel Wise in 2018.

Lott Impact Trophy

Awarded to the best defensive player of the year, the Lott IMPACT Trophy "is the only major college football award that considers character." The winner will be selected by a national voter panel after the season, and this is the first time Bryant has been named to the watch list.

Jim Thorpe Award

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is given to the best defensive back in college football annually. Bryant is one of 35 players on the preseason watch list.

Daniel Hishaw Jr

Doak Walker Award

The Doak Walker Award is given annually to the nation's top running back, and Hishaw was one of two Jayhawks named to the watch list. It is the only one of the major collegiate awards that require candidates to be in good academic standing, including being on track to graduate.

Hishaw is being nominated on the heels of an electric start to the 2022 season, as he looks to bounce back this year after being injured in the fifth game of the season.

Devin Neal

Doak Walker Award

Neal joins Hishaw as a preseason selection for the Doak Walker watch list after being the 13th Jayhawk to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. He adds this recognition to his preseason All-Big 12 selection from the conference media, Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.

The Maxwell Award

Neal was one of two Jayhawks named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell award, which is presented annually to the College Player of the Year. It is in its 87th season of existence. He is the first running back selected for the watch list since Pooka Williams in 2020.

Jalon Daniels

The Maxwell Award

Daniels joins Neal as a selection for the Maxwell Award watch list, marking the first time that a Kansas duo was named to the list since Todd Reesing and Dezmon Briscoe in 2009. Kansas was one of 16 schools with two players on the 85 player list.

Walter Camp Player of the Year

The Walter Camp Football Foundation named 45 players to their preseason watch list. The award is given annually to the college football player of the year and is the fourth oldest individual college football award. He had previously been named as the Walter Camp FBS Offensive Player of the Week in 2022 after his performance against Houston.

Davey O'Brien Award

Daniels was one of 35 returning quarterbacks that was recognized on the preseason watch list, and the selection is based on his play in his college career so far. Daniels adds this recognition to his Preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year selection, his Second Team All-Big 12 selection last season, and being named to the preseason all-conference teams from Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.

Wuerffel Trophy

The Wuerffel Trophy was established in 2005 to "honor college football players who serve others, celebrates their impact and inspires greater service across the nation." Daniels was one of 110 players from across the FBS named to the list. The winner will be selected based on their community service and leadership achievement on and off the field.

 

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