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BYU Football: Award Watch Lists

By Jeff Hansen

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Aug 31, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; BYU Cougars players enter the tunnel and head to the locker room after lightning was seen in their area and play was suspended against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

Every College Football season the media pumps out a myriad of different awards and watch lists. Every College Football season, BYU is left off most of those lists once the season gets going. Here at Lawless Republic, I will be keeping track of BYU awards before awarding the final awards to players at the end of the season. These ‘watch lists’ will be updated after each game and done in a power ranking format. So, obviously the way that the player plays will impact their candidacy for the award, the potential they have to make an impact on the field and whether or not I think they will get the opportunity to play.

So, after the poor showing against Virginia, here is the first round of watch lists for the first annual Lawless Republic Awards (hereby known as the LRAs. Yes, we’re working on getting a Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke appearance for the end of year presentation of the awards.)

Offensive Player of the Year

Jamaal Williams- Is there any question why he is here? Arguably the lone bright spot against Virginia.

Aug 31, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back Jamaal Williams (21) runs between Virginia Cavaliers safety Brandon Phelps (21) and safety Anthony Harris (8) during the second half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

Cody Hoffman- We saw how important he is to this offense when he wasn’t there.

JD Falslev- If there was a second bright spot against Virginia, it was Falslev.

Ross Apo- I’m still a believer. He has the potential and I think he’ll start getting more attention.

Taysom Hill- 13-40 is awful, but as long as he’s the QB, he will have the opportunities to improve.

Defensive Player of the Year

  1. Uani Unga- Let’s hope he stays healthy, Unga had a huge game.
  2. Kyle Van Noy- I don’t think anyone needs this to be explained to them.
  3. Eathyn Manumaleuna- If BYU can get even average production from the NT position, Manumaleuna is primed for a big year.
  4. Bronson Kaufusi- Ziggy who?
  5. Daniel Sorenson- Dark Horse for Defensive Player of the Year. He’s every bit as important as Kyle Van Noy, in my opinion.

Special Teams Player of the Year

Scott Arellano- Independent Special Teams Player of the Week. We’ll ignore the bobbled snap that led to a blocked punt.

Justin Sorenson- He didn’t miss any PATs or FG attempts. Can we give him an award for that?

Adam Hine- Hine will return a kickoff for a touchdown this year.

Aug 31, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver JD Falslev (12) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

JD Falslev- Mr. Reliable in the punt return game. He might not have a million return yards, but no turnovers is good enough.

Newcomer of the Year

  1. Robertson Daniel- If he is always as good as he was on Saturday, he would have started over Jordan Johnson even without the injury.
  2. Marques Johnson- Played well enough to allow Manumaleuna a chance to play defensive end. Still no Romney Fuga, though.
  3. Dallin Leavitt- He was the weakest of the three CBs that saw time, but he was still pretty good.
  4. Brayden Kearsley- Didn’t play Saturday and the offensive line was awful. Once he cracks the starting lineup, he’ll have a chance to change BYU’s season.
  5. Robert Anae- “Go Fast, Go Hard” was a dud this week, but if he can right the ship, then he could run away with this award.

MVP

  1. Jamaal Williams- 148 yards on the ground in one week. He’s primed for a much needed 1000 yard rushing season.
  2. Kyle Van Noy- He’ll be a first-round draft pick, he’ll fill up every category on the stat sheet, but a relatively slow start out of the gate.
  3. Uani Unga- He’s a team captain and is my pick to lead the team in tackles at the end of the year.
  4. Cody Hoffman- If Hoffman can have the impact he’s had his entire career, he has to be in this conversation.
  5. Taysom Hill- The offense goes as Hill goes. If he has a turnaround week against Texas, BYU will have a chance to pull the upset.

MDP (Most Disappointing Player- nobody wants to win this)

Aug 31, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Taysom Hill (4) scrambles out of there pocket against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

  1. Robert Anae- Questionable play calling, awful offensive line play and a 16 point performance? Remember why he was run out of town yet?
  2. The Entire Offensive Line- They were awful. Nothing else to say.
  3. Taysom Hill- 13-40.
  4. Cody Hoffman- Hard to put him on this list, but superstars need to play. Can’t help injuries, but can’t help but be disappointed when they happen.
  5. Ross Apo and Mitch Matthews- With Hoffman out, both had a chance to emerge as a star, and neither did.
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