Quarterbacks Robert Griffin III of Baylor and Andrew Luck of Stanford, along with Alabama running back Trent Richardson each claimed top awards during the 21st annual The Home Depot College Football Awards hosted by Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and Erin Andrews on ESPN Thursday night live from the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Heisman finalists Luck, a senior from Houston, Texas, won the Maxwell Award for the college player of the year; Griffin III, a junior from Copperas Cove, Texas, earned the Davey O’Brien Award for the nation’s most outstanding quarterback; and Richardson, a junior from Pensacola, Fla., won the Doak Walker Award for the nation’s most outstanding running back. LSU’s cornerback, Tyrann Mathieu, a sophomore from New Orleans, LA, also a Heisman finalist, won the Chuck Bednarik Award for the college defensive player of the year.
Other notable awards included the presentation of LSU coach Les Miles with the previously announced The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award and Northwestern State University senior linebacker Yaser Elqutub as the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Captain- a community service award determined by college football fan voters for the work players conduct off the field.
THE HOME DEPOT COLLEGE FOOTBALL AWARDS WINNERS – (listed alphabetically)
| Award / Presented By | Finalists and Winner |
| Chuck Bednarik Award College Defensive Player of the Year ESPN Analyst Matt Millen |
Dont’a Hightower, Alabama Tyrann Mathieu. LSU – WINNER Devon Still, Penn State |
Biletnikoff Award Nation’s Most Outstanding Receiver Fred Biletnikoff* |
Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State (2010 award winner) – WINNER Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma Robert Woods, USC |
| Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Nation’s Most Outstanding Placekicker Judd Groza (son of Lou Groza) |
Randy Bullock, Texas A&M – WINNER Dustin Hopkins, Florida State Caleb Sturgis, Florida |
| Ray Guy Award Nation’s Most Outstanding Punter Ray Guy* |
Ryan Allen, Louisiana Tech – WINNER Steven Clark, Auburn Jackson Rice, Oregon |
| Maxwell Award College Player of the Year Herschel Walker* (1982 winner) |
Andrew Luck, Stanford – WINNER Kellen Moore, Boise State Trent Richardson, Alabama |
| Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Nation’s Best Quarterback Jim McMahon* (1981 winner) |
Robert Griffin III, Baylor – WINNER Case Keenum, Houston Andrew Luck, Stanford |
| Outland Trophy Nation’s Most Outstanding Interior Lineman ESPN Analyst Mark May* (1980 winner) |
David DeCastro, Stanford Barrett Jones, Alabama – WINNER Devon Still, Penn State |
| Jim Thorpe Award Nation’s Most Outstanding Defensive Back Governor Bill Anoatubby |
David Amerson, NC State Mark Barron, Alabama Morris Claiborne, LSU – WINNER |
| Doak Walker Award Nation’s Most Outstanding Running Back Calvin Hill |
Montee Ball, Wisconsin LaMichael James, Oregon (2010 award winner) Trent Richardson, Alabama – WINNER |
*College Football Hall of Fame Inductee
The following players were also announced for the Walter Camp All-America Team, including the Walter Camp All-America Team Player of the Year, Andrew Luck:
| Player | Team | |
| Player of the Year Presented by Lincoln Kennedy (1992 All-America Team) |
Andrew Luck | Stanford |
| Offensive Team | ||
| Quarterback | Andrew Luck | Stanford |
| Wide Receiver | Justin Blackmon | Oklahoma State |
| Wide Receiver | Ryan Broyles | Oklahoma |
| Tight End | Tyler Eifert | Notre Dame |
| Offensive Lineman | David DeCastro | Stanford |
| Offensive Lineman | Barrett Jones | Alabama |
| Offensive Lineman | Matt Kalil | USC |
| Offensive Lineman | Jonathan Martin | Stanford |
| Center | David Molk | Michigan |
| Running Back | LaMichael James | Oregon |
| Running Back | Trent Richardson | Alabama |
| Defensive Team | ||
| Defensive Lineman | Melvin Ingram | South Carolina |
| Defensive Lineman | Whitney Mercilus | Illinois |
| Defensive Lineman | Devon Still | Penn State |
| Defensive Lineman | Jerel Worth | Michigan State |
| Linebacker | Dont’a Hightower | Alabama |
| Linebacker | Jarvis Jones | Georgia |
| Linebacker | Luke Kuechly | Boston College |
|
Defensive Back |
David Amerson | N.C. State |
|
Defensive Back |
Mark Barron | Alabama |
|
Defensive Back |
Morris Claiborne | LSU |
|
Defensive Back |
Tyrann Mathieu | LSU |
| Special Team | ||
|
Placekicker |
Randy Bullock | Texas A&M |
|
Punter |
Shawn Powell | Florida State |
|
Punt Returner |
Tyler Lockett | Kansas State |
Several other awards were recognized during this year’s show, several of which were announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show hosted by Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi and Dari Nowkhah on ESPNU:
- Rimington Trophy (nation’s most outstanding center) David Molk, Michigan
- John Mackey Award (nation’s most outstanding tight end): Dwayne Allen, Clemson
- Rotary Lombardi Award (nation’s most outstanding lineman): Luke Kuechly, Boston College
- Frank Broyles Award (top assistant coach): John Chavis, LSU defensive coordinator
- William V. Campbell Trophy (academic success) Andrew Rodriguez, Army
Additionally, ESPNU’s debut season of the Palmer & Pollack show hosted a red carpet special prior to the awards show and recognized the following end of season college football moments and players:
- Catch of the Year: Michigan State’s Hail Mary against Wisconsin on October 22
- MANimal of the Year: Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
- #TeamPalmer (All-Offensive Team): Andrew Luck, Stanford; Trent Richardson, Alabama; Montee Ball, Wisconsin; Kenall Wright, Baylor; Matt Kalil, USC
- #TeamPollack (All-Defensive Team): Tyrann Mathieu, LSU; Luke Kuechly, Boston College; Jarvis Jones, Georgia; Lavonte David, Nebraska; Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA)
The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official Web site, www.NCFAA.org.
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