It’s getting to be that time of the year.
The college football season is rapidly coming to an end, so it’s time to hand out some hardware to the best individual players in 2012. ESPN announced today that twenty-four players were selected as finalists for nine major NCFAA awards given out annually during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show, which will air on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
This year’s group features two award winners from 2011: Louisiana Tech punter Ryan Allen and Alabama offensive lineman Barrett Jones.
Without any further delay, here are the finalists for the nine awards. Also, be sure to include any blatant omissions in the comments section below.
Chuck Bednarik Award (College Defensive Player of the Year)
Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina)
Jarvis Jones (Georgia)
Manti Te’o (Notre Dame)
Biletnikoff Award (Nation’s Outstanding Receiver)
Stedman Bailey (West Virginia)
Marqise Lee (USC)
Terrance Williams (Baylor)
Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award (Nation’s Outstanding Placekicker)
Dustin Hopkins (FSU)
Cairo Santos (Tulane)
Caleb Sturgis (Florida)
Ray Guy Award (Nation’s Outstanding Punter)
Ryan Allen (La Tech)*
Kyle Christy (Florida)
Scott Kovanda (Ball State)
Maxwell Award (College Player of the Year)
Collin Klein (Kansas State)
Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M)
Manti Te’o (Notre Dame)
Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award (Nation’s Best Quarterback)
Collin Klein (Kansas State)
Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M)
Braxton Miller (Ohio State)
Outland Trophy (Nation’s Outstanding Interior Lineman)
Jonathan Cooper (UNC)
Luke Joeckel (Texas A&M)
Barrett Jones (Alabama)*
Jim Thorpe Award (Nation’s Outstanding Defensive Back)
Johnthan Banks (Mississippi State)
Dee Milliner (Alabama)
Phillip Thomas (Fresno State)
Doak Walker Award (Nation’s Outstanding Running Back)
Montee Ball (Wisconsin)
Kenjon Barner (Oregon)
Johnathan Franklin (UCLA)
(*Denotes 2011 winner)