One of the most prestigious awards in the country has released its list of players who are up for this year’s version of the hardware.
And, somewhat shockingly, defensive players are well represented, relatively speaking, among the group of 15 semifinalists unveiled by the Camp folks Wednesday. Included in what’s normally considered that other side of the ball are UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr, Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley and Missouri defensive end Michael Sam.
Of course, quarterbacks are well represented as well, with 10 players at that position included in the 15 semifinalists. Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel is the only finalist for last year’s award, won by Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o, among this year’s semifinalists.
Clemson’s Tajh Boyd, Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater, Alabama’s AJ McCarron and Ohio State’s Braxton Miller were semifinalists a year ago who made the cut again this year.
Ka’Deem Carey of Arizona is the only running back on the list, while Texas A&M’s Mike Evans is the only wide receiver. Florida State’s Jameis Winston is the lone freshman, while Evans, Manziel and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota are the only sophomores.
A&M and Alabama were the lone schools with more than one player. The SEC (five), Pac-12 (three) and ACC (two) were the only conferences with more than one player.
Below are the 15 semifinalists and brief statistical notes, as provided by the Camp Foundation:
ANTHONY BARR, Senior, LB, UCLA – Has recorded 13.0 tackles for loss, including six sacks, for the 7-2 Bruins.
TAJH BOYD, Senior, QB, Clemson – Has thrown for 2,620 yards and 20 touchdowns for the 8-1 Tigers.
TEDDY BRIDGEWATER, Junior, QB, Louisville – Has passed for 2,845 yards and 24 touchdowns for the 8-1 Cardinals.
KA’DEEM CAREY, Junior, RB, Arizona – Has rushed for 1,221 yards and 11 touchdowns for the 6-3 Wildcats.
DEREK CARR, Senior, QB, Fresno State – Has passed for 3,421 yards and 32 touchdowns for the 9-0 Bulldogs.
MIKE EVANS, Sophomore, WR, Texas A&M – Has caught 57 passes for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns for the 8-2 Aggies.
JORDAN LYNCH, Senior, QB, Northern Illinois – Has 3,021 yards of total offense, including 12 rushing touchdowns, for the 9-0 Huskies.
JOHNNY MANZIEL, Sophomore, QB, Texas A&M – Second in the nation with 3,924 yards of total offense. Has thrown for 31 touchdowns for the 8-2 Aggies.
MARCUS MARIOTA, Sophomore, QB, Oregon – Has passed for 2,531 yards , 22 touchdowns and zero interceptions for the 8-1 Ducks.
AJ MCCARRON, Senior, QB, Alabama – Has thrown for 2,041 yards and 19 touchdowns for the top-ranked and undefeated Crimson Tide (9-0).
BRAXTON MILLER, Junior, QB, Ohio State – Averaging 246.6 yards of total offense for the third-ranked Buckeyes (9-0).
C.J. MOSLEY, Senior, LB, Alabama – Has totaled 71 tackles and six tackles for loss for the nation’s top-scoring defense (10.6 points allowed per game).
BRYCE PETTY, Junior, QB, Baylor – Has thrown for 2,657 yards and 21 touchdowns for the fifth-ranked Bears (8-0).
MICHAEL SAM, Senior, DE, Missouri – Has recorded 10 quarterback sacks for the 9-1 Tigers.
JAMEIS WINSTON, Freshman, QB, Florida State – Has passed for 2,661 yards and 26 touchdowns for the second-ranked Seminoles (9-0).