College Football Offense Awards Preview 2023
It's almost Award Watch List Season. As the days of the offseason wane thin, let's take a look at individual awards for offensive players for the upcoming 2023 college football season. Who will be named the nation's top quarterback? The best offensive lineman?
Note: The Maxwell Award and Walker Camp Award historically go to offensive players, but they are not truly offensive awards (given to the "Best Overall/All-Around Player"). Similarly, the Outland Trophy goes to the best interior linemen either offensive or defensive and was won by DL Jordan Davis in 2021.
Davey O'Brien Award: Quarterback of the Year
Voter fatigue is a real phenomenon exhibited across all sports leagues with award voting. Only one player ever has won more than one Heisman Trophy (Archie Griffin, Ohio State, 1974-75). The Davey O'Brien Award has a history of awarding previous Heisman winners the following season: Bryce Young (2021), Jason White (2004), although the award usually coincides with a Heisman victory.
The 2022 Heisman winner, Caleb Williams, returns to USC. He's a presumed first overall NFL Draft selection and brings plenty of dynamism to the position. In a year with a ton of returning QB talent – particularly out west – this award will be tightly contested. But Williams is a clear frontrunner.
Other names to watch include Drake Maye (North Carolina), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), Bo Nix (Oregon), and Sam Hartman (Notre Dame).
Winner Prediction: Caleb Williams, USC
Doak Walker Award: Best Running Back
Blake Corum was the pick last year to win the Doak Walker Award, and he was well on his way until injury derailed the end of his season. In fact, Corum was on a short list of Heisman contenders until that injury. Instead, dynamic back Bijan Robinson took home the award and was later picked in the top 10 of the NFL Draft.
Corum returns with unfinished business, a move that surprised many. Despite sharing the backfield with another top flight running back, Donovan Edwards, Corum might be the most productive rusher in the nation.
Edwards joins Corum on the short list of considerations this year. Other backs include Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss), Braelon Allen (Wisconsin), Rocket Sanders (Arkansas), and Will Shipley (Clemson).
Winner Prediction: Blake Corum, Michigan
Biletnikoff Award: Best Receiver
There's one clear best receiver in the country right now and that's Marvin Harrison Jr. In 2022, he was targeted 108 times for over 1,100 yards, 12 TDs, and dropped just one pass. While this award often goes to the receiver who had the most explosive year and not necessarily the "best" receiver (see: Jalin Hyatt in 2022, Jordan Addison in 2021), Harrison Jr. should qualify.
Harrison is lauded by many as the most talented receiver ever to suit up for the Buckeyes – topping a long list of NFL dominators that recently included Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson (plus Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft this year). Now teaming up with his high school QB, four star Kyle McCord, Harrison Jr. should be set for some truly staggering numbers.
Other players to watch for include Rome Odunze (Washington), Xavier Worthy (Texas), Johnny Wilson (Florida State), and Harrison Jr.'s teammate Emeka Egbuka.
Winner Prediction: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
John Mackey Award: Top Tight End
There may not be a more dominant player at his position than Brock Bowers. In a year where historic amounts of talent return to the sport, Bowers is truly one of one. He hauled in nearly 1,000 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in 2022 and won the Mackey Award. He likely could have won it his freshman year, too, bringing in 13 touchdowns in 2021.
Bowers promises to be the next great NFL tight end, likened to Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews. His rare combination of speed, football IQ, size, hands, and blocking ability make him a coveted prospect.
Barring injury, Bowers should run away with this award.
Winner Prediction: Brock Bowers, Georgia
Rimington Award: The Nation's Best Center
Zach Frazier is the best all around football player on West Virginia and our pick as first team All American at center this year. However, the returning group this year provides some stiff competition, many of which found new homes in the transfer portal. Both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports named Frazier to their All America lists, as well.
WVU is in for a difficult year. They lack a proven talent at quarterback, a lackluster cast of skill players, and a defense that might struggle to match up physically with their opposition. But their offensive line, led by Frazier, is dynamite and ranks ninth, per Phil Steele's national offensive line units.
Other contenders include Sedick Van Pran (Gerogia), Justin Dedich (USC), and Drake Nugent (Michigan).
Winner Prediction: Zach Frazier, West Virginia
Joe Moore Award: Top Offensive Line Unit
Despite losing three starters on an offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award last season, Michigan projects to have one of the best OLs in 2023. Once again, Jim Harbaugh hit the portal hard and brought in top transfers to bolster his line, including LaDarius Henderson (Arizona State), Drake Nugent (Stanford), and Mike Hinton (Stanford). All three of those players project to start this season.
Their success won't go unnoticed behind the most dynamic backfield in college football (see: Doak Walker Award). Michigan rosters among the most talent nationally and should be poised for a Big Ten title defense alongside another run at the College Football Playoff.
Other teams in consideration include Oregon State, Georgia, Kansas State, and Utah.
Winner Prediction: Michigan Wolverines
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