LSU Defense Honored

While the big trophy will be given away Saturday night, Heisman finalists Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Tyrann Mathieu and Trent Richardson won’t be leaving New York empty-handed. Each player won at least one of the other prestigious college football awards that were announced Thursday night.

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, the preseason Heisman favorite, won the Maxwell Award as college football’s player of the year. He also left with the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which goes to the nation’s top senior quarterback. However, Baylor signal caller Robert Griffin III walked away with the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award.

Alabama running back Trent Richardson beat out fellow Heisman finalist Montee Ball of Wisconsin for the Doak Walker Award, which goes to the nation’s top running back. And not to be left out, LSU defensive back and punt returner Tyrann Mathieu won the Bednarik Award as the defensive player of the year.

Top-ranked LSU’s defense was also well represented. In addition to Mathieu’s Bednarik Award, the Tigers walked away with the Jim Thorpe Award (outstanding defensive back to Morris Claiborne) and the Broyles Award (top assistant coach to defensive coordinator John Chavis). Head coach Les Miles also picked up the Home Depot Coach of the Year trophy.

Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon joined former Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree as the only two-time winners of the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the nation’s top wide receiver.

Below is a list of all of this year’s award winners.

Maxwell Award (Outstanding Player): Andrew Luck, Stanford

Walter Camp Award (Player of the Year): Andrew Luck, Stanford

Doak Walker Award (Outstanding Running Back): Trent Richardson, Alabama

Davey O’Brien Award (Outstanding Quarterback): Robert Griffin III, Baylor

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Outstanding Senior Quarterback): Andrew Luck, Stanford

Fred Biletnikoff Award (Outstanding Wide Receiver): Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

John Mackey Award (Outstanding Tight End): Dwayne Allen, Clemson

Outland Trophy (Outstanding Interior Lineman): Barrett Jones, Alabama

Vince Lombardi/Rotary Award (Outstanding Lineman): Luke Kuechly, Boston College

Rimington Trophy (Outstanding Center): David Molk, Michigan

Chuck Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year): Tyrann Mathieu, LSU