College football’s most talented players will all gather in Orlando, Fla. tonight for the Home Depot College Football Awards show to see who will take home some of the sport’s most prestigious national hardware.
The SEC has several players up for awards tonight, but the conference has several young players that could see their name up for these same national awards in 2015.
Here are five potential national award-winners for the SEC next season.
Biletnikoff Award (best receiver) — WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
2014 stats: 48 receptions, 632 yards and 5 TD
Why: There’s arguably no better receiver in the SEC after Amari Cooper than Laquon Treadwell. Despite missing Ole Miss’ final three games, his stars put him up with some of the more premier receivers in the league. He should be fully healthy again by the start of next season, which he means he’ll be Ole Miss’ No. 1 target once again. Whoever replaces Bo Wallace at quarterback will have a luxury at wide receiver in Treadwell. He should get a lot of opportunities with the football next season.
Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back) — DB Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
2014 stats: 45 tackles, 13 pass breakups, two interceptions
Why: Vernon Hargreaves could make a case to be a finalist for the award this year, but he didn’t have the interceptions to garner enough attention. Still, Hargreaves returns next year as a junior and should be a preseason favorite to win the award. He possesses some of the best coverage skills in the country and teams will often game plan around him. Because of this he might not have the stats to win the award, but his skills should never be overlooked.
Doak Walker Award (best running back) — RB Nick Chubb, Georgia
2014 stats: 186 carries, 1,281 yards and 12 TD
Why: Why not? Nick Chubb dominated his competition despite starting just half of the season. He was nearly the SEC’s leading rusher with 1,281 yards and since becoming the starter, he hasn’t rushed for less than 100 yards in any game. There’s no telling what his numbers will look like as a starter for an entire season and with Georgia’s offensive line, Chubb could be a Heisman Trophy contender as well.
Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award (best quarterback) — QB Dak Prescott, Miss. St.
2014 stats: 211-345, 2,996 yards, 24 TD; 939 rushing yards, 13 TD
Why: Dak Prescott garnered early Heisman Trophy consideration this season while Mississippi State rose to the top of college football in the polls, but tailed off toward the end of the season. He’s up for the O’Brien Award this year, but with Marcus Mariota as a virtual lock to win, his chances look slim. Prescott will have the nucleus of his skill players returning around him next season, giving him plenty of targets to throw to. His running ability makes even more dangerous, so he’ll likely put up similar numbers in 2015.
Chuck Bendarik Award (best defensive player) — DL Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
2014 stats: 50 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks
Why: Myles Garrett exploded onto the scene, breaking the SEC freshman sack record with 11.0 sacks. He lived up to his five-star billing and he should be just as dominant next year. With the Aggies’ questionable pass defense, opponents will try to exploit Texas A&M through the air, so Garrett should see a lot of pass rushing opportunities in 2015. It wouldn’t be shocking for Garrett to see national consideration for the Bendarik Award next season.
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
