College football awards show 2023: Recap of winners, best moments from ceremony
The biggest individual award in college football still has to be awarded on Saturday in the Heisman Trophy, but the best positional performances of the season were honored Friday.
Heisman Trophy finalist Marvin Harrison Jr. came away with the Biletnikoff Award over over LSU's Malik Nabers and Washington's Rome Odunze. Among the quarterback finalists, Jayden Daniels won the Davey O'Brien Trophy and the Walter Camp Award, Michael Penix Jr. won the Maxwell Award, and Bo Nix took home the Campbell Award.
Payton Wilson of NC State won both the Butkus Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award as the best linebacker and defensive player in the country, respectively, and Air Force's Trey Taylor won the Jim Thorpe Award.
On special teams, the Lou Groza Award went to Miami (Ohio)'s Graham Nicholson, and Tory Taylor of Iowa was awarded the Ray Guy Award as the best punter in the country.
The Heisman Trophy Ceremony will be Saturday night in New York City, where Daniels, Penix, Nix, and Harrison will find out who will win the most coveted trophy in college football.
REQUIRED READING: Watch college football awards show 2023 live with Fubo (free trial)
Follow below to see live updates of the winners of college football's awards.
College football awards updates, highlights
9:16 p.m. -- Not too many surprises in the awards tonight, with plenty of deserving options coming down. Harrison being a Heisman finalist all but locked up the Biletnikoff Award, whereas Daniels and Penix were always going to do well. Gordon winning over Schrader must have been tight, and the line awards always have plenty of deserving candidates.
8:59 p.m. -- Penix wins the Maxwell Player of the Year for Washington after his outstanding season.
College Football’s Player of the Year:
Michael Penix Jr. 🙌🟣 pic.twitter.com/GyadWq45BZ— ESPN (@espn) December 9, 2023
8:57 -- The full tribute to The Pirate.
There will never be another one quite like The Pirate.
The NCFAA Contributions to College Football Award goes to Mike Leach 🏴☠️❤️ pic.twitter.com/EtfebdoS5L— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 9, 2023
8:53 p.m. -- The Walter Camp Player of the Year goes to Jayden Daniels, over fellow finalists Penix and Nix.
8:50 p.m. -- The Walter Camp Team features Michael Penix Jr., Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Brock Bowers. It's like a greatest hits for the night.
8:45 p.m. -- Iowa fans rejoice. Tory Taylor wins the Ray Guy Award after an incredible season. Hawkeye jokes aside, Taylor's consistency should be lauded.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 🏆
Tory Taylor has won the @RayGuyAward!#Hawkeyespic.twitter.com/uqFlKlpiN3— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) December 9, 2023
8:43 p.m. -- Now is the moment we've all been waiting for: The Ray Guy Award, given to the best punter in the country.
8:40 p.m. -- Sweat tells the story of his incredible Heisman pose after a TD, a highlight moment. He says Texas had worked on that the day before the game.
8:39 p.m. -- The Outland Award is up next, given to the best lineman in the country. T'Vondre Sweat deservedly wins the award for Texas.
Your 2023 Outland Trophy Winner
🏆 T'Vondre Sweat 🏆@TvondreSweat x @outlandtrophypic.twitter.com/jXGdnQnSpw— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) December 9, 2023
8:38 p.m. -- Jackson Powers-Johnson of Oregon wins the Rimington Award as the best center in the country.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, your 2023 Rimington Award Winner🦆 pic.twitter.com/YdXK4vH0MG
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 9, 2023
8:27 p.m. -- Eastern Michigan's Brian Dooley gets honored with the Disney Spirit Award, given to the most inspirational players in CFB. Dooley gave up his scholarship for fellow lineman Zack Conti.
Brian Dooley, an offensive lineman at Eastern Michigan, is this year’s Disney Spirit Award recipient 👏
Dooley made a significant gesture in donating his football scholarship to his teammate, Zack Conti, who was a walk-on. pic.twitter.com/uvecAZ277K— ESPN (@espn) December 9, 2023
8:18 p.m. -- Schrader does win the Burlsworth Award, awarded to the best walk-on.
8:17 p.m. -- Barry Sanders, in a recorded message, congratulates Gordon on becoming the first Cowboy to win the Doak Walker Award (Sanders predates it).
8:15 p.m. -- Ollie Gordon II of Oklahoma State deservedly gets the Doak Walker Award after an incredible season. He beats out Omarion Hampton and Cody Schrader.
THE RB1 ⚡️⚡️
Ollie Gordon II has won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s premier running back! pic.twitter.com/3vhxFgESSW— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 9, 2023
8:12 p.m. -- Bo Nix of Oregon now gets honored as the Campbell Award winner. He is a Heisman semifinalist, to be awarded Saturday.
8:05 p.m. -- Graham Nicholson of Miami (OH) wins the Groza Award as the best kicker in the country. He says he'll think about his one miss this season "till the day I die."
8:01 p.m. -- The Nagurski Award officially goes to Xavier Watts of Notre Dame, whose most memorable game came against USC. Next up is the Lou Groza Award.
7:58 p.m. -- Trey Taylor wins the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in the country over Georgia's Malaki Starks and Iowa's Cooper DeJean. Staunch company for him to win over.
7:55 p.m. -- Four student sections get honored as finalists for Student Section of the Year: Ohio State, UMass, Colorado, and Tennessee. OSU ends up taking the award.
7:42 p.m. -- The inimitable Mike Leach is now being honored.
7:36 p.m. -- As DeBoer prepares for the CFP with Washington, he is honored as the Home Depot Coach of the Year. Refers to it as a "team award" and says Washington achieved its goals this year.
7:34 p.m. -- Harrison shouts out Zone 6, WRU remains in Columbus.
THIS FOR ZONE6 🛩️ #WRUhttps://t.co/mqCmKE2Vk7
— Marvin Harrison Jr. (@MarvHarrisonJr) December 9, 2023
7:32 p.m. -- Georgia's Brock Bowers becomes the first two-time winner of the John Mackey Award as the best tight end in the nation. He had 56 catches for 714 yards and six touchdowns.
7:31 p.m. -- Harrison dodged a question about his future, saying he'll consult his family before making decisions about returning to OSU.
7:29 p.m. -- The Biletnikoff Award pick was simple: One player was nominated for a Heisman, the other two weren't. Marvin Harrison Jr. wins the Biletnikoff Award over Rome Odunze and Malik Nabers as the best receiver in the country. Harrison had 67 catches for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns.
MARVIN HAS HANDS 🙌
Harrison Jr. has won the Fred Biletnikoff Award for college football's most outstanding FBS receiver at any position! pic.twitter.com/NEBzJuOvgx— ESPN (@espn) December 9, 2023
7:26 p.m. -- Georgia's Ladd McConkey wins the Wuerffel Award for community service.
A leader on and off the field.@GeorgiaFootball's Ladd McConkey is the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy winner 🏆👏 pic.twitter.com/Q6vUjUflp2
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 9, 2023
7:23 p.m. -- Wilson also won the coveted Bednarik Award as the best defensive player in the country.
The BEST defensive player in college football 😤
Payton Wilson is first player in @PackFootball history to win the Bednarik Award 🏆👏 pic.twitter.com/vGq1JYJ8rW— ACC Network (@accnetwork) December 9, 2023
7:17 p.m. -- Announced several days ago, NC State's Payton Wilson has won the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in the nation.
7:07 p.m. -- Starting with the marquee position, Jayden Daniels of LSU, a Heisman Trophy finalist, has won the Davey O'Brien Award for best passer in the nation.
The best passer in the nation 🎯
Jayden Daniels wins the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award as the best QB in college football! pic.twitter.com/2OoUgfLSG7— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 9, 2023
7:05 p.m. -- After a lengthy montage, we get to the panel for the awards.
6:55 p.m. -- The college football award show is about to begin on ESPN. Follow along here to see the winners and best moments throughout the night.
What channel is the college football award show on today?
TV channel: ESPN
Stream: ESPN app, ESPN+, Fubo (free trial)
The college football award show will air on ESPN. Streaming options include the ESPN app and Fubo, which offers a free trial.
REQUIRED READING: College football awards 2023: Tracking SEC players among list of finalists, winners
College football award show start time
Date: Friday, Dec. 8
Time: 7 p.m. ET
College football awards 2023
All awards listed alphabetically.
AP Player of the Year
Awarded to: Top player (judged by the Associated Press)
Winner:Jayden Daniels (QB), LSU
Biletnikoff Award
Awarded to: Top pass-catcher
Winner: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR), Ohio State
Finalists: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State; Malik Nabers, LSU; Rome Odunze, Washington
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Awarded to: Defensive player of the year (judged by FWAA)
Winner: Xavier Watts (S), Notre Dame
Finalists: Cooper DeJean (DB); Iowa, Jer'Zhan Newton (DL), Illinois; Malaki Starks (DB), Georgia; Xavier Watts (S), Notre Dame; Payton Wilson (LB), NC State
Broyles Award
Awarded to: Top assistant coach
Winner: Phil Parker (DC), Iowa
Finalists: Mike Bobo (OC), Georgia; Mike Denbrock (OC), LSU; Sherrone Moore (OC), Michigan; Phil Parker (DC), Iowa; Will Stein (OC), Oregon
Burlsworth Trophy
Awarded to: Top former walk-on
Winner: Cody Schrader, (RB), Missouri
Finalists: James Carpenter (NG), James Madison; Drake Stoops (WR), Oklahoma; Cody Schrader, (RB), Missouri
Butkus Award
Awarded to: Top linebacker
Winner: Payton Wilson, NC State
Finalists: Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (Clemson); Ty’Ron Hopper (Missouri); Edefuan Ulofoshio (Washington); Nathaniel Watson (Mississippi State); Payton Wilson (NC State)
REQUIRED READING: CFP rankings: SEC teams in final College Football Playoff Top 25 poll of 2023 season
Chuck Bednarik Award
Awarded to: Defensive player of the year (judged by Maxwell Club)
Winner: Payton Wilson (LB), NC State
Finalists: Payton Wilson (LB), NC State; Dallas Turner (LB), Alabama; Laiatu Latu (DL): UCLA
Davey O'Brien Award
Awarded to: Top quarterback
Winner: Jayden Daniels (QB), LSU
Finalists: Jayden Daniels, LSU; Michael Penix Jr., Washington; Bo Nix, Oregon
Doak Walker Award
Awarded to: Top running back
Winner: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Finalists: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State; Omarion Hampton, North Carolina; Cody Schrader, Missouri
Eddie Robinson Award
Awarded to: Top NCAA Division I coach (judged by FWAA)
Finalists: David Braun, Northwestern; Jamey Chadwell, Liberty; Kalen DeBoer, Washington; Eliah Drinkwitz, Missouri; Jedd Fish, Arizona; Rhett Lashlee, SMU; Chuck Martin, Miami (Ohio); Mike Norvell, Florida State; Barry Odom, UNLV; Nick Saban, Alabama; Steve Sarkisian, Texas; Jon Sumrall, Troy
George Munger Award
Awarded to: Top NCAA Division I coach (judged by Maxwell Club)
Finalists: TBD
REQUIRED READING:Heisman Trophy finalists 2023: Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix, Bo Nix, Marvin Harrison selected
Heisman Trophy
Awarded to: Most outstanding player
Finalists: Jayden Daniels (QB), LSU; Michael Penix Jr. (QB), Washington; Bo Nix (QB), Oregon; Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR), Ohio State
Jim Thorpe Award
Awarded to: Top defensive back
Winner: Trey Taylor, S, Air Force
Finalists: Cooper DeJean (CB), Iowa; Malaki Starks (S), Georgia; Trey Taylor (S), Air Force
Joe Moore Award
Awarded to: Top offensive line
Finalists: TBD
John Mackey Award
Awarded to: Top tight end
Winner: Brock Bowers (TE), Georgia
Finalists: Brock Bowers, Georgia; Dallin Holker, Colorado State; Cade Stover, Ohio State
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Awarded to: Top upperclassman quarterback
Winner: Jayden Daniels, LSU
Finalists: Jayden Daniels, LSU; Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma; Sam Hartman, Notre Dame; Drake Maye, North Carolina; J.J. McCarthy, Michigan; Bo Nix, Oregon; Michael Penix Jr., Washington; Jordan Travis, Florida State; Cameron Ward, Washington State; Caleb Williams, USC
Lombardi Award
Awarded to: Outstanding college football lineman
Winner: Laiatu Latu (DE), UCLA
Finalists: Joe Alt (OT), Notre Dame; Brock Bowers (TE), Georgia; Jonah Elliss (DE), Utah; Laiatu Latu (DE), UCLA
Lott IMPACT Trophy
Awarded to: Defensive IMPACT player of the year
Finalists: Junior Colson (LB), Michigan; Jonah Elliss (DL), Utah; Laiatu Latu (DE), UCLA; Dallas Turner (LB), Alabama
Lou Groza Award
Awarded to: Top placekicker
Winner: Graham Nicholson, Miami (OH)
Finalists: Graham Nicholson, Miami (Ohio); Jose Pizano, UNLV; Will Reichard, Alabama
Maxwell Award
Awarded to: College player of the year
Winner: Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Finalists: Jayden Daniels (LSU); Michael Penix Jr. (Washington); Bo Nix (Oregon)
Outland Trophy
Awarded to: Top interior lineman
Winner: T'Vondre Sweat (DT), Texas
Finalists: Joe Alt (OT), Notre Dame; Cooper Beebe (OL), Kansas State; T’Vondre Sweat (DT), Texas
Paul Hornung Award
Awarded to: Most versatile player
Winner: Travis Hunter (CB/WR), Colorado
Finalists: Travis Hunter (CB/WR), Colorado; Cameron Skattebo (RB/QB/P), Arizona State; Sione Vaki (S/RB), Utah
Ray Guy Award
Awarded to: Top punter
Winner: Tory Taylor, Iowa
Finalists: Matt Hayball, Vanderbilt; Alex Mastromanno, Florida State; Tory Taylor, Iowa
Rimington Trophy
Awarded to: Top center
Winner: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Finalists: Drake Nugent, Michigan; Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon; Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia
Sporting News Coach of the Year
Awarded to: Coach of the Year (judged by The Sporting News)
Finalists: TBD
Sporting News Player of the Year
Awarded to: Player of the Year (judged by The Sporting News)
Finalists: TBD
Ted Hendricks Award
Awarded to: Top defensive end
Winner: Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Finalists: Jonah Elliss Utah; Jalen Green, James Madison; Laiatu Latu, UCLA
REQUIRED READING:USA TODAY Sports Network All-SEC football team 2023: Jayden Daniels named Player of the Year
Walter Camp Award
Awarded to: College player of the year
Winner: Jayden Daniels, LSU
Finalists: Jayden Daniels (LSU); Michael Penix Jr. (Washington); Bo Nix (Oregon)
William V. Campbell Trophy
Awarded to: Academic Heisman
Winner: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Finalists: Cooper Beebe, Kansas State; JD Bertrand, Notre Dame; DeWayne Carter, Duke; Loobert Denelus, Benedict (S.C.); Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross; Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State; Zach Frazier, West Virginia; Owen Grover, Wartburg (Iowa); Leo Lowin, Army; Ladd McConkey, Georgia; Bo Nix, Oregon; Davius Richard, North Carolina Central; Luke Schuermann, Johns Hopkins (Md.); Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland; Liam Thompson, Wabash (Ind.); Zak Zinter, Michigan
Wuerffel Trophy
Awarded to: Community service award
Winner: Ladd McConkey (WR), Georgia
Finalists: JD Bertrand (LB), Notre Dame (LB); Blake Corum (RB), Michigan (RB); Ladd McConkey (WR), Georgia
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: College football awards show: Recapping winners, best moments from ceremony