Are Dak Prescott and Jeremy Johnson legitimate Heisman threats at quarterback? Could Reggie Ragland or one of Georgia’s three stud outside linebackers take home the Butkus?
Sifting through end-of-season national awards this fall, here are three noteworthy honors the SEC has a serious shot at winning:
Doak Walker (nation’s top running back)
No surprise here to see three frontrunners for the Doak all coming from the SEC where two standout sophomores headline a star-studded group — all with Heisman odds. Chubb rushed an SEC East-leading 1,547 yards as a freshman at Georgia after taking over the lion’s share of the carries following Todd Gurley’s injury. He’s a member of the league’s deepest backfield and may not have to deal with the 30-carry workload expected each game for Fournette and Henry at LSU and Alabama, respectively. Fournette and Chubb both have a veteran-heavy offensive line in front of them and ample opportunity in the national spotlight. Henry becomes the featured weapon for Lane Kiffin and the Crimson Tide’s offense and averages 6.6 yards per tote during his career. Keep an eye on Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd and the Jonathan Williams-Alex Collins duo at Arkansas as well. All three of those guys could hit 1,000 yards this fall.
Prime SEC candidates
- Nick Chubb, Georgia
- Leonard Fournette, LSU
- Derrick Henry, Alabama
Bednarik (nation’s top defensive player)
The Bednarik winner last came from the SEC in 2011 when Tyrann Mathieu joined Patrick Peterson as the only other LSU defensive back to be awarded college football’s most prestigious defensive honor. The last SEC defensive lineman to win the Bednarik was Georgia’s David Pollack in 2004, but that could change this season. Barnett, the league’s returning leader in tackles for losses, is trying to become Tennessee’s first recipient and has the much-needed preseason buzz alongside Garrett, Texas A&M’s sack leader from a season ago. Nkemdiche also has a a shot as the West’s most disruptive player, but this trio will need team success — along with padded numbers — to unseat frontrunners such as Ohio State’s Joey Bosa and Arizona’s Scooby Wright, last season’s winner.
Prime SEC candidates
- Derek Barnett, Tennessee
- Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
- Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Mackey (nation’s top tight end)
Easily the Western Division’s most talent-rich position offensively behind running back, playmaking tight ends are plentiful this season. Henry and Engram are third-down fiends, sticky-handed weapons who can stretch the field or fight for necessary extra yardage at the sticks. Engram likely translates to the receiver at the next level, but Henry has a home along the line as an above-average blocker who is tough to disengage when he’s got you locked in off the snap. In Dan Enos’ varied offense at Arkansas this fall, Henry could flourish. Alabama’s Howard is the obvious wild-card here, but he’s arguably more talented than any player at the position nationwide when he’s at his best. One of the lone experienced pass-catchers within the Crimson Tide’s new-look passing game, Howard’s junior season could be his best if Lane Kiffin makes him a priority on offense.
Prime SEC candidates
- Hunter Henry, Arkansas
- Evan Engram, Ole Miss
- O.J. Howard, Alabama
