Finalists Announced for ESPN’s 31st Home Depot College Football Awards

November 24, 2021 by ESPN Public Relations

The finalists have been named for the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) honors presented at The Home Depot College Football Awards. This year’s awards show will air on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. ET, on ESPN. ESPN’s Rece Davis will host the two-hour special, joined by analysts Dusty Dvoracek and Desmond Howard, with reporter Jen Lada.

The Home Depot College Football Awards Finalists

NCFAA awards announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards:

Chuck Bednarik Award
College Defensive Player of the Year
Will Anderson, Jr., Alabama
Jordan Davis, Georgia
Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
Biletnikoff Award
Outstanding Receiver
Jordan Addison, Pittsburgh
David Bell, Purdue
Jameson Williams, Alabama
Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award
Nation’s Outstanding Placekicker
Gabe Brkic, Oklahoma
Jake Moody, Michigan
Noah Ruggles, Ohio State
Ray Guy Award
College Punter of the Year
Matt Araiza, San Diego State
Adam Korsak, Rutgers
Jordan Stout, Penn State
Maxwell Award
College Player of the Year
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
Bryce Young, Alabama
Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award
Nation’s Best Quarterback
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State 
Bryce Young, Alabama
Outland Trophy
Nation’s Most Outstanding Interior Lineman
Jordan Davis, Georgia
Ikem Ekwonu, NC State
Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Nation’s Best Defensive Back
Coby Bryant, Cincinnati
Verone McKinley III, Oregon
Jalen Pitre, Baylor
Doak Walker Award
Nation’s Premier Running Back
Tyler Badie, Missouri
Breece Hall, Iowa State
Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
 

Additional honors recognized during The Home Depot College Football Awards:

The Home Depot Coach of the Year Winner announced December 7
NCFAA Contributions to
College Football Award
Coach Lou Holtz
Disney Spirit Award
Most Inspirational Player or Team
Winner announced November 24
William V. Campbell Trophy Presented
Scholar-Athlete
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Team captain announced in early December
Walter Camp All America Team  Full team announced December 9
John Mackey Award
Outstanding Tight End
Trey McBride, Colorado State
Charlie Kolar, Iowa State 
Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M
Rimington Trophy
Outstanding Center
Finalists announced December 6
Wuerffel Trophy
Community Service
Nakobe Dean, Georgia
Patrick Fields, Oklahoma
Isaiah Sanders, Stanford
 

Other awards given this postseason:

Broyles Award
Assistant Coach of the Year

Finalists will be announced November 29

Burlsworth Trophy
College football’s most outstanding player who
began his career as a walk-on
Stetson Bennett, Georgia
Carlton Martial, Troy
Grant Morgan, Arkansas