Every Major College Football Award: From Heisman to Bednarik

Staff Account June 25, 2020

798 4 minutes read

In 2019, more than 20 awards were distributed to the best college football players leading into and throughout the bowl season. We’ve compiled a list of every major college football award from Heisman to Bednarik, in alphabetical order.

Biletnikoff Award

It honors the Top Receiver.
It was founded in 1994 by Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation.
The first recipient was Bobby Engram, Penn State (1994)
The 2019 winner was Ja’Marr Chase, LSU.

Bronko Nagurski Award

It honors the best Defensive Player.
It was founded in 1993 by Charlotte Touchdown Club and Football Writers Association of America.
The first recipient was Rob Waldrop, Arizona (1993).
The 2019 winner was Chase Young, Ohio State.

Broyles Award

It honors the best Assistant Coach, selected by 1,500 coaches representing all FBS programs.
It was founded in 1996 by Downtown Rotary Club in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The first recipient was Mickey Andrews, Florida State (1996).
The 2019 winner was Joe Brady, LSU.

Burlsworth Trophy

It honors the nation’s most outstanding player who began college career as a walk-on.
It was founded in 2010 by the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation.
The first recipient was Sean Bedford, Georgia Tech (2010).
The 2019 winner was Kenny Willekes, Michigan State.

Butkus Award

It honors the Best Linebacker.
It was founded in 1985 by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando.
The first recipient was Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma (1985).
The 2019 winner was Isaiah Simmons, Clemson.

Chuck Bednarik Award

It honors the Defensive Player of the Year.
It was founded in 1995 by Maxwell Football Club.
The first recipient was Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern (1995).
The 2019 winner was Chase Young, Ohio State.

Davey O’Brien Award

It honors the Best Quarterback.
It was founded in 1977 by Davey O’Brien Foundation and became a quarterback-only award in 1981.
The first recipient was Earl Campbell, Texas (1977).
The 2019 winner was Joe Burrow, LSU.

Doak Walker Award

It honors the Best Running Back.
It was founded in 1990 by Southern Methodist University.
The first recipient was Greg Lewis, Washington (1990).
The 2019 winner was Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin.

The Dodd Trophy

It honors the FBS football coach whose program represents three pillars of success.
It was founded in 1976 and is presented annually by Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
The first recipient was Vince Dooley, Georgia (1976).
The 2019 winner was Kyle Whittingham, Utah.

Disney’s Wide World of Sports Spirit Award

It honors the most inspirational individual or team.
It was founded in 1996.
The first recipient was Daniel Huffman, a high school student who gave up his college football career to donate his kidney to his grandmother (1996).
The 2019 winner was Casey O’Brien, Minnesota.

Eddie Robinson Award

It honors the best coach.
It was founded in 1957 by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
The first recipient was Woody Hayes, Ohio State (1957).
The 2019 winner was Ed Orgeron, LSU.

Heisman Trophy

It honors the Most Outstanding Player.
It was founded in 1935 by Downtown Athletic Club.
The first recipient was Jay Berwanger, Chicago (1935).
The 2019 winner was Joe Burrow, LSU.

Home Depot Coach of the Year Award

It honors the Coach of the Year, selected by ESPN and ABC college football analysts.
It was founded in 1994.
The first recipient was Bobby Bowden, Florida State (1994).
The 2019 winner was Ed Orgeron, LSU.

Jim Thorpe Award

It honors the Best Defensive Back.
It was founded in 1986 by Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
The first recipient was Thomas Everett, Baylor (1986).
The 2019 winner was Grant Delpit, LSU.

John Mackey Award

It honors the Best Tight End.
It was founded in 2000 by Nassau County Sports Commission.
The first recipient was Tim Stratton, Purdue (2000).
The 2019 winner was Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic.

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

It honors the Outstanding Senior or Fourth-Year Quarterback.
It was founded in 1987 by the Golden Arm Foundation.
The first recipient was Don McPherson, Syracuse (1987).
The 2019 winner was Joe Burrow, LSU.

Lombardi Award

It honors the Best Lineman or Linebacker.
It was founded in 1970 by Rotary International in Houston.
The first recipient was Jim Stillwagon, Ohio State (1970).
The 2019 winner was Joe Burrow, LSU.

Lott IMPACT Trophy

It honors the Defensive IMPACT (Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity) Player of the Year.
It was founded in 2004 by Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation.
The first recipient was David Pollack, Georgia (2004).
The 2019 winner was Derrick Brown, Auburn.

Lou Groza Award

It honors the Best Placekicker.
It was founded in 1992 by Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
The first recipient was Joe Allison, Memphis (1992).
The 2019 winner was Rodrigo Blankenship, Georgia.

Maxwell Award

It honors the Player of the Year.
It was founded in 1937 by Maxwell Football Club.
The first recipient was Clint Frank, Yale (1937).
The 2019 winner was Joe Burrow, LSU.

Outland Trophy

It honors the Best Interior Lineman.
It was founded in 1946 by the Football Writers Association of America.
The first recipient was George Connor, Notre Dame (1946).
The 2019 winner was Penei Sewell, Oregon.

Paul Hornung Award

It honors the Most Versatile Player.
It was founded in 2010 by Louisville Sports Commission.
The first recipient was Owen Marecic, Stanford (2010).
The 2019 winner was Lynn Bowden Jr.

Ray Guy Award

It honors the Best Punter.
It was founded in 2000 by Greater August Sports Council.
The first recipient was Kevin Stemke, Wisconsin (2000).
The 2019 winner was Max Duffy, Kentucky.

Rimington Trophy

It honors the Best Center.
It was founded in 2000 by Boomer Esiason Foundation.
The first recipient was Dominic Raiola, Nebraska (2000).
The 2019 winner was Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin.

Ted Hendricks Award

It honors the Best Defensive End.
It was founded in 2002 by Ted Hendricks Foundation.
The first recipient was Terrell Suggs, Arizona State (2002).
The 2019 winner was Chase Young, Ohio State.

Walter Camp Award

It honors the Player of the Year.
It was founded in 1967 by Walter Camp Football Foundation.
The first recipient was O.J. Simpson, USC (1967).
The 2019 winner was Joe Burrow, LSU.

William V. Campbell Trophy

It honors the Best Student-Athlete.
It was founded in 1990 by the National Football Foundation.
The first recipient was Chris Howard, Air Force (1990).
The 2019 winner was Justin Herbert, Oregon.

Wuerffel Trophy

It honors the Player “who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement”.
It was founded in 2005 by All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach.
The first recipient was Rudy Niswanger, LSU (2005).
The 2019 winner was Jon Wassink, Western Michigan.