College Football

2023 college football awards: Jayden Daniels dominates in potential Heisman forecast

Updated Dec. 8, 2023 9:32 p.m. ET

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Is the Heisman Trophy heading to Louisiana? It certainly looks that way after LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels dominated his competitors on Friday night, collecting a series of top college football awards.

Daniels, a San Bernardino, California, native who transferred to LSU from Arizona State in 2022, was named the Walter Camp Player of the Year, while also winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (top upperclassman quarterback) and Davey O'Brien Award (best QB). He was named AP Player of the Year on Thursday.

It wasn't a clean sweep for Daniels, however, as Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. won the Maxwell Award (player of the year).

[2023 Heisman Trophy: The case for each finalist to win]

Daniels, Penix, Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will vie for the Heisman Trophy, college football's top individual honor, on Saturday.

Based on the results of Friday night's awards, Daniels has to be considered a clear favorite.

There were several other awards handed out on Friday, including the Belitnikoff Award (top receiver), the Doak Walker Award (top running back) and the Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year).

Find out about the winners by scrolling below.

Walter Camp Player of the Year
Winner: Jayden Daniels, LSU

While Penix was named the starting quarterback on the Walter Camp All-America team, it was Daniels who took home the award as Player of the Year. While the Tigers went just 9-3 this season, Daniels compiled 4,946 total yards — 3,812 yards passing and 1,134 yards rushing. The rushing numbers are particularly impressive for a QB. In fact, Daniels is the nation's 22nd-leading rusher and the only quarterback ranked among the top 25.

Maxwell Award (player of the year)
Winner: Michael Penix Jr., Washington

Penix was the engine behind the Huskies' run to a Pac-12 title and College Football Playoff berth, leading the nation in passing yards (4,218) while also tossing 33 touchdowns.

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (top upperclassman quarterback)
Winner: Jayden Daniels, LSU

Davey O'Brien Award (Best QB)
Winner: Jayden Daniels, LSU

AP Player of the Year
Winner: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Daniels received 35 of the 51 first-place votes and 130 total points from AP Top 25 poll voters. The Heisman Trophy finalist finished comfortably ahead of Penix, who was second with 15 first-place votes and 97 points. Nix was third, with Harrison fourth and Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II fifth. Read more.

Bronko Nagurski Trophy (defensive player of the year, judged by FWAA)
Winner: Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

Lombardi Award (outstanding college football lineman)
Winner: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

Ted Hendricks Award (top defensive end)
Winner: Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Butkus Award (top linebacker)
Winner: Payton Wilson, North Carolina State

Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year, judged by Maxwell Club)
Winner: Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State

Having previously been honored with the Butkus Award, Wilson added the Bednarik Award to his trophy case on Friday. He was a tackling machine for the Wolfpack, notching 138 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder even had three interceptions.

Belitnikoff Award (outstanding receiver)
Winner: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Harrison was a dominant force in the Buckeyes offense, making 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. The powerful 6-foot-4 wideout displayed the shiftiness of a much smaller man, likely making him a high pick in the NFL Draft in the coming spring.

John Mackey Award (outstanding tight end)
Winner: Brock Bowers, Georgia

Bowers also won this award last year, making him the first two-time winner. He led all tight ends in receptions (56) despite missing three games to injury.

The Home Depot Coach of the Year
Winner: Kalen DeBoer, Washington

DeBoer's Huskies are 13-0, Pac-12 champions, and have earned a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Huskies are 24-2 in two seasons under DeBoer after going 11-2 last season.

Eddie Robinson (coach of the year, judged by FWAA)
Winner will be announced on Dec. 20.

Broyles Award (top assistant coach)
Winner: Phil Parker, defensive coordinator, Iowa

Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back)
Winner: Trey Taylor, Air Force

Taylor notched 71 tackles and three interceptions to become the first Air Force player to win this award. He is also hoping to become the first Air Force defensive back to be drafted.

Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player)
Winner: Travis Hunter (CB/WR), Colorado

Colorado's two-way phenom was third on the team in receptions (57), second in receiving yards (721), and tied for first in interceptions (three) despite missing three games due to injury.

Doak Walker Award (best running back)
Winner: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State

Gordon led the nation in rushing this season, gaining 1,614 yards despite only having 19 carries through the Cowboys' first three games. His mid-season emergence helped Oklahoma State advance to the Big 12 championship game.

Burlsworth Trophy (Top former walk-on)
Winner: Cody Schrader, RB, Missouri

Disney Spirit Award
Winner: Brian Dooley, OL, Eastern Michigan

Dooley, a starting offensive lineman, gave his scholarship to a walk-on teammate who had been working multiple jobs. Read more about his story here.

Rimington Trophy (outstanding center)
Winner: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

Outland Trophy (most outstanding interior lineman)
Winner: T'Vondre Sweat, Texas

Sweat was a force in the middle of the Longhorns' defensive line. The 6-foot-3, 340-pounder had eight tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. His ability to occupy blockers helped Texas become the third-best run defense in the nation, allowing just 80.8 yards per game on the ground.

William V. Campbell Trophy (academic Heisman)
Winner: Bo Nix, Oregon

Wuerffel Trophy (community service award)
Winner: Ladd McConkey, Georgia

Lou Groza Award (outstanding place-kicker)
Winner: Graham Nicholson, Miami (Ohio)

Ray Guy Award (punter of the year)
Winner: Tory Taylor, Iowa

The Australian, the first Hawkeye to win this award, may have been his team's most important player. Taylor used his booming leg to help control the field position battle for a team that relied heavily on defense and special teams.

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