The staff of Campus2Canton choose their favorites to win the different 2022 CFB Awards from the Heisman to the Mackey Award. For more discussion on the 2022 CFB Awards, check out the live show from Austin, Felix, and Matt.
Photo courtesy of nbcsports.com
Heisman
Alfred: Caleb Williams, QB USC
Austin: CJ Stroud, QB Ohio State
Chris Moxley: CJ Stroud, QB Ohio State
Colin: CJ Stroud, QB Ohio State
Ethan: Will Anderson, Edge Alabama
Nate: Anthony Richardson, QB Florida
Colin’s Pick- Finishing 4th last year in the Heisman voting while Ohio State didn’t even make the playoff was an impressive feat. Stroud is back with as good or better weapons and with Ohio State as the 2nd leading favorite for the National Title next year. With another season like last year in a better team and the Committee not traditionally voting for a 2-time winner, Stroud is an easy call.
Maxwell Award
Alfred: Will Anderson, Edge Alabama
Austin: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Ohio State
Chris Moxley: CJ Stroud, QB Ohio State
Colin: Will Anderson, Edge Alabama
Ethan: Will Anderson, Edge Alabama
Colin’s Pick- It’s always tough for a defensive player to win the Heisman, no matter how good their season was. It’s even tougher when there’s a QB who legitimately deserves it as well. Despite another sensational year for Anderson that could be Heisman-worthy, the Maxwell Award is not a bad consolation prize.
Davey O’Brien Award
Alfred: Caleb Williams, QB USC
Austin: CJ Stroud, QB Ohio State
Chris Moxley: CJ Stroud, QB Ohio State
Colin: CJ Stroud, QB Ohio State
Ethan: Caleb Williams, QB USC
Colin’s Pick- The last 4 QBs to win the Heisman, also won the Davey O’Brien Award. In picking CJ Stroud to win the Heisman, it wouldn’t make sense to pick anyone else in here even though there are likely to be other strong candidates like former Heisman winner Bryce Young and new USC QB Caleb Williams.
Doak Walker Award
Alfred: Deuce Vaughn, RB Kansas State
Austin: TreVeyon Henderson, RB Ohio State
Chris Moxley: Bijan Robinson, RB Texas
Colin: Braelon Allen, RB Wisconsin
Ethan: Braelon Allen, RB Wisconsin
Nate: TreVeyon Henderson, RB Ohio State
Colin’s Pick- Lew Nichols may lead the FBS in rushing, but a G5 player hasn’t won the award since Luke Staley in 2001. In that time, 3, Wisconsin RBs have won (tied for the most in that span with Alabama). Allen finished 20th in the FBS in rushing yards last year despite finishing 51st in carries and not seeing double-digit carries until week 4. With an improved year from Wisconsin and a full year as the lead back, Allen should be amongst the league’s most productive backs next year.
Biletnikoff Award
Alfred: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Ohio State
Austin: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Ohio State
Chris Moxley: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Ohio State
Colin: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Ohio State
Ethan: Quentin Johnston, WR TCU
Nate: Quentin Johnston, WR TCU
Colin’s Pick- This one might be the biggest no-brainer on the list. JSN finished 3rd in the country in receiving yards last year AND saw his 2 running mates from last year get taken in the 1st round of the NFL draft. While there is plenty of talent around him again this year, JSN enters the year as the clear-cut WR1 on a prolific passing attack for a team with National Title expectations. We’re just checking boxes here.
Mackey Award
Alfred: Michael Mayer, TE Notre Dame
Austin: Michael Mayer, TE Notre Dame
Chris Moxley: Michael Mayer, TE Notre Dame
Colin: Michael Trigg, TE Ole Miss
Ethan: Zach Kuntz, TE Old Dominion
Nate: Michael Trigg, TE Ole Miss
Colin’s Pick- Michael Mayer is the obvious choice for this award, so it’s not a surprise that most will have him predicted to win. But Michael Trigg is joining an Ole Miss team that should be competitive in the SEC West. despite their lack of proven receiving options. With spring game usage as a big slot and rapport with potential starting QB Jaxson Dart, Trig is legitimately a candidate to lead this team in receiving. If everything breaks right, he could lead the country in receiving for TEs.