SEC Network analysts hand out midseason awards
Halfway through the college football season, the top players and coaches are beginning to emerge.
Ahead of the Week 7 slate, SEC Network analysts Peter Burns, Alyssa Lang, Chris Doering and Dari Nowkhah named their SEC Midseason Awards.
Burns named Kirby Smart as his Coach of the Year so far after Smart’s undefeated start. The Bulldogs have certainly looked like one of the best teams in college football halfway through the season, and Burns credits Smart for the work he’s done.
Nowkhah named Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz as his Coach of the Year. Missouri has looked solid this season with an early-season win over Kansas State. The Tigers lost their first game last weekend to LSU.
Lang and Doering both gave Nick Saban the nod after a solid start to the season with Alabama.
Each analyst was in agreement that Jayden Daniels is the Offensive Player of the Year so far. The LSU quarterback has racked up 1,969 yards and 19 touchdowns while throwing just 2 interceptions.
Burns and Nowkhah picked Maxwell Hairston as the Defensive Player of the Year. The Kentucky defensive back has logged 41 tackles and 4 interceptions on the year.
Lang went with Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson, who has picked up 16 tackles and 4 interceptions. Doering picked Mississippi State linebacker Jett Johnson, who has picked up 66 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions.
Burns and Lang named Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris the Newcomer of the Year as the Louisiana Tech transfer has totaled 367 yards and 6 touchdowns so far this year.
Nowkhah and Doering both selected Graham Mertz as the Newcomer of the Year. The Florida quarterback has picked up 1,474 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Just like that, we are halfway through the college football regular season!
At the midway point, who is the:
? SEC Coach of the Year
? SEC Offensive Player of the Year
? SEC Defensive Player of the Year
? SEC Newcomer of the YearWho has the best list? Did we miss anyone? pic.twitter.com/3k3ArvgAAi
— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) October 11, 2023