Hall of Famers set the bar for 2023 college awards bearing their names
Hall of Famers
Published on : 12/11/2023
College football handed out many of its prestigious awards this past weekend, and the names of Pro Football Hall of Famers adorn several of the most coveted honors.
For a recap of the winners from the 2023 season, click here.
Here’s a look at the awards and their connection to the Hall:
At the end of every college football season, individual awards are given out recognizing the best performances from the previous season. Most of the awards are announced annually at “The Home Depot College Football Awards” on ESPN in early December or at the FCS National Awards Banquet held in early January prior to the FCS Championship.
Of those awards, 20 are named after members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Their exceptional contributions and play at both the collegiate and professional levels are forever remembered through the presentation of these awards.
Below we highlight those awards and the Hall of Famers who have won them.
Created and presented by the Maxwell Football Club (1995).
The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented to the best defensive player in college football.
Created by The Sports Network in 1995 and presented by Stats Perform & FedEx Ground since 2015.
The Buck Buchanan Award honors the most outstanding defensive college football player on the FCS level.
Created by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando in 1985 and presented by the Butkus Foundation since 2008.
Instituted in 1985, The Butkus Award® is one of the elite individual honors, originally given each year to one player in college football: the most impactful linebacker in the game. In 2008, The Butkus Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, took stewardship of the award to fully realize the original purpose of honoring athletic achievement and service to the community.
Created by the Tyler Chamber of Commerce and presented by SPORTyler, Inc., in conjunction with the city of Tyler, the Tyler Convention & Visitors Bureau and Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce (2012).
The award is given to the top offensive player in NCAA Division I football who — was born in the state of Texas, attended a Texas high school or attended a Texas junior college or university — and also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity; specifically tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals.
Created and presented by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission (1997).
The Lou Groza Award is given annually to the nation’s top collegiate placekicker as determined by a voting panel of Division 1 head coaches, sports writers and sportscasters from across the county, conference representatives, professional kickers and previous winners.
Created and presented by the Greater August Sports Council (2000).
The Ray Guy Award — named for football's premier punter — honors the nation's best collegiate punter. Particular emphasis is placed on the following statistics; net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line and percentage of punts not returned.
Created and presented by the Ted Hendricks Foundation (2002).
On-field performance, leadership abilities and contributions to school and community are some of the criteria used to determine the award winner. The candidates may represent any class (freshman through senior) as well as any recognized four-year NCAA member school (Division I through Division III).
Created and presented by the Louisville Sports Commission (2010).
The Paul Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. Individuals are considered based on one or more of the following: must have played multiple positions on offense and/or defense, a role on special teams and making an impact and showing leadership through elevating team performance.
Created and presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame (2016).
Created and presented by the Rotary Club of Houston (1970).
This prestigious accolade continues to honor the outstanding college football lineman, whether on offense or defense, who not only displays exceptional performance and ability but also embodies the character and discipline that Vince Lombardi championed throughout his life.
Created and presented by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation (2004).
The IMPACT award is awarded annually to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of athletics and recognizes college football’s Defensive Player of the Year who best exemplifies the IMPACT acronym: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
Created and presented by the Nassau County Sports Commission (2000).
Given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end, the award recipient is selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee.
Created and presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club and Football Writers Association of America (1993).
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented annually to the top defensive player in college football. The nominees are selected from all Division I schools and voted on by members of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). It is hosted by the Charlotte Touchdown Club in Charlotte, N.C.
Created by The Sports Network in 1987 and presented by Stats Perform & FedEx Ground since 2015.
The Walter Payton Award honors the most outstanding offensive college football player on the FCS level.
Created by The Sports Network in 2011 and presented by Stats Perform & FedEx Ground since 2015.
The Jerry Rice Award honors the most outstanding college football freshman on the FCS level.
Created and presented by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (1986).
The Jim Thorpe Award is universally accepted as one of the nation’s top collegiate sports honors and is presented to individual athletes based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
Created and presented by The Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. (1987).
The winner of the Golden Arm Award is recognized not only for his athletic accomplishments, but also for his character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities and athletic abilities.
Created and presented by the Manheim Touchdown Club (2004).
Created and presented by the Southern Methodist University (1990).
The prestigious Doak Walker Award was created to honor the nation’s most outstanding collegiate running back.
For a recap of the winners from the 2023 season, click here.
Here’s a look at the awards and their connection to the Hall:
College Football Awards named after Pro Football Hall of Famers
At the end of every college football season, individual awards are given out recognizing the best performances from the previous season. Most of the awards are announced annually at “The Home Depot College Football Awards” on ESPN in early December or at the FCS National Awards Banquet held in early January prior to the FCS Championship.Of those awards, 20 are named after members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Their exceptional contributions and play at both the collegiate and professional levels are forever remembered through the presentation of these awards.
Below we highlight those awards and the Hall of Famers who have won them.
Biletnikoff Award — Outstanding Receiver
Created and presented by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation (1994).
The Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the season’s outstanding college football receiver, regardless of position (the award defines receiver as any player who catches a pass hence, tight ends, slot receivers and backs, inside receivers, wide receivers, split ends, and running backs are eligible).
The Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the season’s outstanding college football receiver, regardless of position (the award defines receiver as any player who catches a pass hence, tight ends, slot receivers and backs, inside receivers, wide receivers, split ends, and running backs are eligible).
- Randy Moss (Marshall) — 1997
- Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech) — 2006
Bednarik Award — Defensive Player of the Year (Maxwell Football Club)
CHUCK BEDNARIK (Pennsylvania)
1949-1962 Philadelphia Eagles
1949-1962 Philadelphia Eagles
Created and presented by the Maxwell Football Club (1995).
The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented to the best defensive player in college football.
- Charles Woodson (Michigan) — 1997
Buck Buchanan Award — Most Outstanding Defensive FCS Player
BUCK BUCHANAN (Grambling State)
1963-1975 Kansas City Chiefs
1963-1975 Kansas City Chiefs
Created by The Sports Network in 1995 and presented by Stats Perform & FedEx Ground since 2015.
The Buck Buchanan Award honors the most outstanding defensive college football player on the FCS level.
Butkus Award — Outstanding Linebacker
DICK BUTKUS (Illinois)
1965-1973 Chicago Bears
1965-1973 Chicago Bears
Created by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando in 1985 and presented by the Butkus Foundation since 2008.
Instituted in 1985, The Butkus Award® is one of the elite individual honors, originally given each year to one player in college football: the most impactful linebacker in the game. In 2008, The Butkus Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, took stewardship of the award to fully realize the original purpose of honoring athletic achievement and service to the community.
- Derrick Thomas (Alabama) — 1988
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award — Running Back who exhibits Campbell’s characteristics
EARL CAMPBELL (Texas)
1978-1984 Houston Oilers, 1984-85 New Orleans Saints
1978-1984 Houston Oilers, 1984-85 New Orleans Saints
Created by the Tyler Chamber of Commerce and presented by SPORTyler, Inc., in conjunction with the city of Tyler, the Tyler Convention & Visitors Bureau and Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce (2012).
The award is given to the top offensive player in NCAA Division I football who — was born in the state of Texas, attended a Texas high school or attended a Texas junior college or university — and also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity; specifically tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals.
Lou Groza Award — Outstanding Placekicker
LOU GROZA (Ohio State)
1946-1959, 1961-67 Cleveland Browns (AAFC*/NFL)
1946-1959, 1961-67 Cleveland Browns (AAFC*/NFL)
Created and presented by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission (1997).
The Lou Groza Award is given annually to the nation’s top collegiate placekicker as determined by a voting panel of Division 1 head coaches, sports writers and sportscasters from across the county, conference representatives, professional kickers and previous winners.
Ray Guy Award — Outstanding Punter
RAY GUY (Southern Mississippi)
1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Created and presented by the Greater August Sports Council (2000).
The Ray Guy Award — named for football's premier punter — honors the nation's best collegiate punter. Particular emphasis is placed on the following statistics; net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line and percentage of punts not returned.
Ted Hendricks Award — Defensive End of the Year Award
TED HENDRICKS (Miami, Florida)
1969-1973 Baltimore Colts, 1974 Green Bay Packers, 1975-1981/1982-83 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
1969-1973 Baltimore Colts, 1974 Green Bay Packers, 1975-1981/1982-83 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Created and presented by the Ted Hendricks Foundation (2002).
On-field performance, leadership abilities and contributions to school and community are some of the criteria used to determine the award winner. The candidates may represent any class (freshman through senior) as well as any recognized four-year NCAA member school (Division I through Division III).
Paul Hornung Award — Most Versatile Player
PAUL HORNUNG (Notre Dame)
1957-1962, 1964-66 Green Bay Packers
1957-1962, 1964-66 Green Bay Packers
Created and presented by the Louisville Sports Commission (2010).
The Paul Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. Individuals are considered based on one or more of the following: must have played multiple positions on offense and/or defense, a role on special teams and making an impact and showing leadership through elevating team performance.
Deacon Jones Trophy — Most outstanding all-around HBCU player
DEACON JONES (South Carolina State, Mississippi Valley State)
1961-1971 Los Angeles Rams, 1972-73 San Diego Chargers, 1974 Washington Redskins
1961-1971 Los Angeles Rams, 1972-73 San Diego Chargers, 1974 Washington Redskins
Created and presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame (2016).
Lombardi Award — Top Lineman or Linebacker
VINCE LOMBARDI (Fordham)
1959-1967 Green Bay Packers, 1969 Washington Redskins
1959-1967 Green Bay Packers, 1969 Washington Redskins
Created and presented by the Rotary Club of Houston (1970).
This prestigious accolade continues to honor the outstanding college football lineman, whether on offense or defense, who not only displays exceptional performance and ability but also embodies the character and discipline that Vince Lombardi championed throughout his life.
- Randy White (Maryland) — 1974
- Lee Roy Selmon (Oklahoma) — 1975
- Warren Sapp (Miami [FL]) — 1994
- Orlando Pace (Ohio State) — 1995 & 1996
Lott IMPACT Trophy — Outstanding Defensive Player (Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation)
RONNIE LOTT (Southern California)
1981-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991-92 Los Angeles Raiders, 1993-94 New York Jets
1981-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991-92 Los Angeles Raiders, 1993-94 New York Jets
Created and presented by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation (2004).
The IMPACT award is awarded annually to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of athletics and recognizes college football’s Defensive Player of the Year who best exemplifies the IMPACT acronym: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
John Mackey Award — Outstanding Tight End
JOHN MACKEY (Syracuse)
1963-1971 Baltimore Colts, 1972 San Diego Chargers
1963-1971 Baltimore Colts, 1972 San Diego Chargers
Created and presented by the Nassau County Sports Commission (2000).
Given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end, the award recipient is selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy — Defensive Player of the Year (Football Writers Association of America)
BRONKO NAGURSKI (Minnesota)
1930-37, 1943 Chicago Bears
1930-37, 1943 Chicago Bears
Created and presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club and Football Writers Association of America (1993).
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented annually to the top defensive player in college football. The nominees are selected from all Division I schools and voted on by members of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). It is hosted by the Charlotte Touchdown Club in Charlotte, N.C.
- Warren Sapp (Miami [FL]) — 1994
- Charles Woodson (Michigan) — 1997
- Champ Bailey (Georgia) — 1998
Walter Payton Award — Most Outstanding Offensive FCS Player
WALTER PAYTON (Jackson State)
1975-1987 Chicago Bears
1975-1987 Chicago Bears
Created by The Sports Network in 1987 and presented by Stats Perform & FedEx Ground since 2015.
The Walter Payton Award honors the most outstanding offensive college football player on the FCS level.
Jerry Rice Award — Most Outstanding FCS Freshman
JERRY RICE (Mississippi Valley State)
1985-2000 San Francisco 49ers, 2001-04 Oakland Raiders, 2004 Seattle Seahawks
1985-2000 San Francisco 49ers, 2001-04 Oakland Raiders, 2004 Seattle Seahawks
Created by The Sports Network in 2011 and presented by Stats Perform & FedEx Ground since 2015.
The Jerry Rice Award honors the most outstanding college football freshman on the FCS level.
Jim Thorpe Award — Outstanding Defensive Back
JIM THORPE (Carlisle)
1915-17, 1919-1920, 1926 Canton Bulldogs, 1921 Cleveland Indians, 1922-23 Oorang Indians, 1924 Rock Island Independents, 1925 New York Giants, 1928 Chicago Cardinals
1915-17, 1919-1920, 1926 Canton Bulldogs, 1921 Cleveland Indians, 1922-23 Oorang Indians, 1924 Rock Island Independents, 1925 New York Giants, 1928 Chicago Cardinals
Created and presented by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (1986).
The Jim Thorpe Award is universally accepted as one of the nation’s top collegiate sports honors and is presented to individual athletes based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
- Deion Sanders (Florida State) — 1988
- Charles Woodson (Michigan) — 1997
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award — Top Upperclassmen Quarterback
JOHNNY UNITAS (Louisville)
1956-1972 Baltimore Colts, 1973 San Diego Chargers
1956-1972 Baltimore Colts, 1973 San Diego Chargers
Created and presented by The Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. (1987).
The winner of the Golden Arm Award is recognized not only for his athletic accomplishments, but also for his character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities and athletic abilities.
- Peyton Manning (Tennessee) — 1997
Gene Upshaw Award — Best Division II Lineman
GENE UPSHAW (Texas A&I)
1967-1981 Oakland Raiders
1967-1981 Oakland Raiders
Created and presented by the Manheim Touchdown Club (2004).
Doak Walker Award — Top Running Back
DOAK WALKER (Southern Methodist)
1950-55 Detroit Lions
1950-55 Detroit Lions
Created and presented by the Southern Methodist University (1990).
The prestigious Doak Walker Award was created to honor the nation’s most outstanding collegiate running back.
- LaDanian Tomlinson (TCU) — 2000
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