As we get closer to the end of the season, the post-season award lists really start to narrow. Ballots get sent out to committee members with date certain deadlines. Watch lists become semi-finalist lists. Schools start to inundate voting committee members with one-sheets on their top candidates for various accolades. There are some ACC players making their way to the shortlists this week.
Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Year Award
The purpose of the award is pretty self-explanatory. Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein and Louisville running back Isaac Brown are among the 14 semifinalists for the award.
Holstein has 17 touchdown passes this season, tying him with Alex Van Pelt for the all-time school record for a freshman. He also has four 300-yard passing games this season tying him for the school’s freshman record. He was the first Pitt quarterback since Dan Marino in 1979 to win his first seven starts.
Brown has been in the top 10 nationally in yards per carry for most of the season. He also is in the top 25 in the country in total rushing yards with 800. He has four 100+-yard rushing games on the season. That is the second-highest for a freshman in school history, trailing only Lamar Jackson.
Finalists for the award will be named on December 4th, and the winner will be announced on December 26th.
Lott IMPACT Trophy
The award is named after Ronnie Lott, and the IMPACT in the name is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity. The award goes to the nation’s top defensive player who also exhibits the acronym’s skills off the field.
Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter is one of nine semifinalists named Monday. Carter has totaled 43 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 sacks, and four pass breakups through the first nine games of Clemson’s season. He was also named a Butkus Award semifinalist last week for the best linebacker in the country.
Finalists for this award will be named on November 21st, with the winner being announced on December 9th.
Paul Hornung Award
It goes to the most versatile player in the country. Louisville’s Isaac Brown also gets on this list as one of the three finalists. The Cardinals’ star running back has 800 yards rushing with seven touchdowns. He also 131 receiving yards and a touchdown as a pass catcher. Brown has 11 kick returns for 193 yards and two punt returns for nine yards.
This award comes from the Louisville Sports Commission.
Lombardi Award
The Rotary Club of Houston is the presenting sponsor here. The award goes to the lineman of the year. Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku and Virginia Tech’s Antwaun Powell-Ryland are among the 12 semifinalists for this award.
Powell-Ryland has 12 sacks so far this season. He is the first VA Tech player in 19 years to record double digits in sacks in a season. He also has three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and a blocked kick this season.
Ezeiruaku has nine sacks on the season. He is in the top 10 in the country in tackles for loss, with 12. He is leading Boston College with 55 total tackles. Ezeiruaku also has two forced fumbles and six quarterback hurries.
The 12 finalists will be narrowed to four finalists next week. The winner will be announced on December 11th. Editor’s Note: The article’s author is a Lombardi Award voter.
