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PFF 2021 College Preseason Award Watch List Tracker

Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) drops back to pass against the Texas Longhorns during the Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports

By Anthony Treash
Posted Jul 26, 2021 7:40 am EDT

College football award watch season has finally arrived, which means it’s time for PFF to reveal preseason picks for the most prestigious honors in the game.

With the help of PFF’s College Football Preview Magazine, PFF grades, advanced stats and, of course, the tape, here is a look at PFF’s favorites to win each award ahead of the 2021 college football season.

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HEISMAN TROPHY — BEST PLAYER

1. QB Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma
2. QB Sam Howell, North Carolina
3. QB D'Eriq King, Miami (FL)

See the full list here!

MAXWELL AWARD — BEST PLAYER

1. QB Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma
2. QB Sam Howell, North Carolina
3. QB D'Eriq King, Miami (FL)

See the full list here!

BEDNARIK AWARD/NAGURSKI TROPHY — BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER

1. CB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
2. EDGE Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma
3. CB Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati

See the full list here!

DAVEY O'BRIEN AWARD — BEST QUARTERBACK

1. Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma
2. Sam Howell, North Carolina
3. D'Eriq King, Miami (FL)

See the full list here!

DOAK WALKER AWARD — BEST RUNNING BACK

1. Tank Bigsby, Auburn
2. Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State
3. Kennedy Brooks, Oklahoma

See the full list here!

PFF's 2021 College Football Preview Magazine offers a one-of-a-kind deep dive into every team and every conference in the FBS. You'll get PFF grades, position breakdowns, betting predictions, accuracy data and more, making it the only resource you'll need to prepare for the 2021 college football season.

BILETNIKOFF AWARD — BEST RECEIVER

1. Chris Olave, Ohio State
2. Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
3. Justyn Ross, Clemson

See the full list here!

JOHN MACKEY AWARD — BEST TIGHT END

1. Charlie Kolar, Iowa State
2. Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M
3. Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina

See the full list here!

RIMINGTON AWARD — BEST CENTER

1. Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
2. Grant Gibson, NC State
3. Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame

See the full list here!

BUTKUS AWARD — BEST LINEBACKER

1. Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington
2. Mike Jones Jr., LSU
3. Carlton Martial, Troy

See the full list here!

JIM THORPE AWARD — BEST DEFENSIVE BACK

1. CB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
2. CB Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati
3. CB Eli Ricks, LSU

See the full list here!

OUTLAND TROPHY — BEST INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

1. C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
2. OT Thayer Munford, Ohio State
3. DI Haskell Garrett, Ohio State

See the full list here!

TED HENDRICKS AWARD — BEST DEFENSIVE END

1. Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma
2. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
3. Demarvin Leal, Texas A&M

See the full list here!

PAUL HORNUNG AWARD — MOST VERSATILE PLAYER

Coming Thursday, July 29!

Dive into PFF's guides to get the most out of the 2021 season, from the 2022 NFL Draft to college football to fantasy football!

2021 Fantasy Football Draft Guide

2022 Preseason NFL Draft Guide

2021 College Football Preview Magazine

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