Walter Camp Award names five finalists for top player in college football
It’s almost time for awards season, and finalists are emerging for different honors. The Walter Camp Award announced its five finalists for the 2021 Player of the Year on Thursday.
Georgia nose tackle Jordan Davis, Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III and Alabama quarterback Bryce Young are in the final five for the award. The winner will be announced Dec. 9 during the College Football Awards show.
Davis is a huge part of the Georgia defense — the best defense in the nation. He has 24 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks for the Bulldogs, who are 12-0 this year. It’s Georgia’s first undefeated regular season since 1982.
Pickett is having a monster year for Pitt and is a big reason the Panthers are 10-2 this season. He’s sixth in the nation with 338.8 passing yards per game and is tied for second with 40 touchdowns. His best game of the season came on Oct. 30 against Miami when he threw for 519 yards and three touchdowns as Pitt came away with a 38-34 victory.
Hutchinson is coming off a monster game against Ohio State, totaling 3.5 sacks to lead Michigan to its first victory over the Buckeyes in 10 years. In that game, he set Michigan’s single-season sacks record and put himself on the map in the Heisman Trophy race. He was also named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year this week.
One of the breakout stars of the 2021 season, Walker turned Michigan State’s run game around after transferring from Wake Forest. He ranks second in the nation with 136.33 rush yards per game and has found the end zone 18 times. He’s another Big Ten player in the mix for the Heisman Trophy after his brilliant debut season with the Spartans.
Young continues to be at the forefront of Heisman discussion for Alabama, which is gearing up for the SEC Championship this week against Georgia. He has completed 68.9 percent of his passes this year and has thrown 40 touchdowns, which is tied with Pickett for second in the FBS. Young’s best game came against Arkansas last month when he threw for 559 yards and five touchdowns as Alabama held off the Razorbacks 42-35.
He could be the second straight Alabama player to bring home the Walter Camp Award after DeVonta Smith won it last year. ESPN is hosting the annual College Football Awards ceremony on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. ET.