With just one week left in the regular season, national awards are starting to announce finalists. As expected, the Big Ten is all over these lists with 10 players up for 12 different awards so far. Of course, awards like the Heisman Trophy and Rimington Trophy haven’t announced finalists just yet. There is an expectation that the conference will be well-represented for those as well.
Of the 10 players for 12 awards, Ohio State leads the way with five different players up for nine awards, including one who’s up for four himself.
The Big Ten Boasts a Plethora of National Award Finalists
Hornung Award
Each year, the Paul Hornung Award is given to the best versatile player in college football. To be nominated, a player must start on offense and/or defense and make an impact on special teams.
Jonah Coleman from Washington is the lone Big Ten finalist. Despite battling injuries of late, Coleman is atop the Big Ten with 14 rushing touchdowns. He is sitting with 651 rushing yards on 135 attempts, with 335 yards receiving and two scores.
As a returner, Coleman has only returned three kicks for 57 yards.
Coleman is up against Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion, James Madison’s Wayne Knight, Louisville’s Caullin Lacy, Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price, and Texas Tech’s J’Koby Williams. If he wins, he will join Shaq Thompson from 2014 as the only Huskies to win.
Nagurski Trophy
Caleb Downs is up for a handful of awards, starting with the Bronco Nagurski Trophy. The Nagurski is presented by the FWAA to the top defender in college football.
One of the surest tacklers in the country, Downs’ impact goes beyond the statsheet. In terms of counting stats through 11 games, Downs has 49 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, a pass breakup, and two interceptions.
If Downs were to win the Bronko Nagurski Award, he would be the third Buckeye to do so, joining James Laurinaitis (2006) and Chase Young (2019).
Lott IMPACT Trophy
Since 2004, the Lott IMPACT Trophy has been presented annually to the top defensive player in college football. One who also exhibits the characteristics of Ronnie Lott. “IMPACT” is an acronym for “Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity.” Downs is also a finalist for this one.
The other three up for the prestigious award are Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech, Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami (FL), and C.J. Allen of Georgia.
If Downs were to win the Lott IMPACT Award, he would be the second Buckeye to do so, joining James Laurinaitis (2008). Downs was a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy last year as well.
Maxwell Award
The first award on this list with multiple Big Ten honor recipients, the Maxwell Award is awarded to the best all-around player in college football.
Fernando Mendoza has led Indiana to a perfect 11-0 mark heading into the final weekend. With one win, the Hoosiers will play for a Big Ten title. The Cal transfer has been phenomenal this year, passing for 2,641 yards and leading the nation with 30 touchdowns.
If Mendoza wins, he’d join Anthony Thompson from 1989 as the only Hoosiers to do so.
Julian Sayin quarterbacks the top-ranked team and the reigning champs. On the year, Sayin has led a methodical Buckeye offense with 2,832 yards and 27 touchdowns. He leads the nation with a 79.4% completion percentage.
Sayin can become the fifth Buckeye to win the Maxwell Award.
The third finalist is Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love.
Bednarik Award
The Chuck Bednarik Award is also given to the top defensive player in the country, as awarded by the Maxwell Football Club.
Downs will have to beat Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell and Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez to take home the award.
Downs could become the second Buckeye to take home the award, joining Chase Young (2019).
Outland Trophy
Another award with two Big Ten honorees, the Outland Trophy is awarded annually by the FWAA. It goes to the top offensive or defensive lineman, minus EDGE rushers.
Widely regarded as the top center in the country, Logan Jones is the latest in a long line of elite Iowa linemen. He is far and away the highest-graded center in the country by PFF and enters the final week with 49 starts to his name. He leads an offensive line that’s up for the Joe Moore Award.
Jones could become the fifth Hawkeye to take home the award.
Kayden McDonald has been one of the biggest breakouts for the Buckeyes’ rebuilt defense in 2025. Clogging up the interior, McDonald has an impressive 47 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
If he wins, McDonald would become the fifth Buckeye to win.
The third finalist is Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano.
Thorpe Award
Each year, the top defensive back in college football takes home the Thorpe Award. This year, just like last year, Downs is a finalist.
If Downs wins, he would be the third Buckeye to do so, joining Antoine Winfield (1998) and Malcolm Jenkins (2008).
He will be up against LSU’s Mansoor Delane and Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore.
In addition to the four awards he’s already a finalist for, Downs is a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year.
Butkus Award
Named for Dick Butkus, the Butkus Award is presented annually to the top linebacker in the nation. This year, there are two Big Ten players up for the award.
Another of the breakouts on the Buckeye defense, Arvell Reese, has gone from an unknown to potential first-overall-pick territory with his play this season. Through 11 games, Reese has amassed 59 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six-and-a-half sacks, and two pass breakups from his linebacker spot.
If Reese wins the Butkus Award, he would join Andy Katzemoyer (1997) and his coach, James Laurinaitis (2007), as the only Buckeyes to do so.
Aided Fisher has been a force for the Hoosiers’ defense again this year. Coming off two 100+ tackle seasons, Fisher is sitting with 65 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two-and-a-half sacks, and two interceptions. One of those interceptions resulted in a pick-six.
Fisher could become the first Hoosier to win the Butkus Award.
The other finalists are Georgia’s C.J. Allen, Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez, and Texas’s Anthony Hill Jr.
Davey O’Brien Award
The top quarterback in the nation is presented the Davey O’Brien Award. This year, both Mendoza and Sayin are finalists. To date, no Indiana quarterback has won the award, while only Troy Smith (2006) was the only Buckeye to do so.
Mendoza and Sayin are up against Texas A&M’s Marcell Reed as finalists.
Johnny Unitas Award
The other quarterback-centric award is the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. This time, it’s just Mendoza who made the cut. As is the case with the Davey O’Brien, no Indiana quarterback has ever taken home the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Haynes King (Georgia Tech), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), Reed (Texas A&M), and Gunner Stockton (Georgia) are also finalists.
Mackey Award
The top tight end in college football is given the Mackey Award. Last year, the award stayed in the Big Ten. This year, the conference has one finalist.
After being a solid piece of the rotation last year, Kenyon Sadiq has broken out for the Oregon offense as a legitimate threat. In 11 games, Sadiq has hauled in 36 passes for 479 yards and eight touchdowns, leading the Ducks’ pass catchers.
If Sadiq wins, he would be the first Oregon player to take home the Mackey Award. The other finalists are Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers and Baylor’s Michael Trigg.
Biletnikoff Award
Finally, the Biletnikoff Award is handed out to the top pass catcher in college football. While tight ends are eligible, the cut-downs have only featured wide receivers.
Jeremiah Smith has been the favorite to take home the award for a while now. Despite missing time due to injury, Smith has amassed 902 yards and is tied atop the Big Ten with 10 touchdowns. He left the UCLA game early due to injury and missed last week. His status for the Michigan game is up in the air, although he says he’s good to go.
Smith could become the third Buckeye to win the prestigious award.
Makai Lemon has a real shot to win the Biletnikoff Award, however. He leads the way in the Big Ten with 1,124 yards and is tied with Smith with 10 scores as well. Lemon also leads the Big Ten with 78 receptions. For good measure, he has two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown.
If he wins, Lemon would become the second USC wide receiver to win, joining Marquise Lee from 2012.
The third finalist for the Biletnikoff is UConn’s Skylar Bell.
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