Coach of the Year: Charles Huff (Southern Miss)
Southern Miss has surpassed 3 wins just once in the last 5 years. Huff just won this league last year at Marshall and is bringing a lot of help with him. Watch out for whiplash Southern Miss fans, this turnaround will be quick.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Jordan Davis (OC, North Texas)
In his two years with the Mean Green they have had a top 25 scoring offense each time. That's with a different QB, lead RB, and lead WR each season. The smart money says the 33 year old wiz kid does it again.
Player of the Year: Blake Horvath (QB, Navy)
His numbers last year were almost equivalent to Keenan Reynold's in his Heisman finalist season. Now he gets a chance to build on that? Buckle up Navy fans, this could be a magical ride.
Offensive Player of the Year: Owen McCown (QB, UTSA)
Throwing for 3400 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, Owen showed this program is more than just Frank Harris. With a suspect defense this season, expect this offense to put up video game numbers with McCown leading the way.
Defensive Player of the Year: Trey White (DE, San Diego State)
Last year White recorded 12.5 sacks, over 3 times as many as the next best on the roster. His help this year can't get any worse, right? We expect this anchor of the defense to hold it down again.
Most Improved Player of the Year: Keshaun Singleton (WR, South Florida)
Didn't see playing time until the last 6 games of his Sophmore season, but put up 400 yards in that stretch with the starting QB out the whole time. Has the size, has the speed, has our attention.
Best Quarterback: Maddux Madsen (Boise State)
Steady as they come last season with 3000 yards and 23 touchdowns to just 6 picks. Can he do it again without Jeanty to distract defenses? We're betting so. If there is any G5 team that can reload instead of rebuild its these guys.
Best Running Back: Anthony Hankerson (Oregon State)
Rushed for 1082 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. With 5 P5 opponents in the first 7 weeks he'll have a chance to make headlines. The addition of strong armed Maalik Murphy at QB should open up things even more for the rushing attack
Best Receiver: Junior Vandeross (Toledo)
Looks to build on last season where he was first team all MAC with 957 yards. He torched Pitt for 194 yards in the bowl game. The QB, coach, and OC return too making his success as sure of a thing as possible.
Best Tight End: Matt Lauter (Boise State)
The best remaining weapon from Boise's playoff team last season, the Broncos will lean on him to provide big plays all season. After putting up 96 yards and a touchdown against Penn State in the playoffs, Mountain West defenses are looking like BBQ chicken.
Best Offensive Lineman: Brady Small (Army)
First team all AAC center last season for the first ever G5 team to win the Joe Moore award for best offensive line in college football. We expect this tank to continue dealing blows.
Best Defensive Lineman: Mo Westmoreland (Tulane)
Recorded 7.5 sacks each of the last 2 years at UTEP. Sumrall teams tend to be nasty in the trenches. Going from being surrounded by UTEP talent to Tulane talent has us thinking a breakout is in store.
Best Linebacker: Jason Henderson (Old Dominion)
Currently 138 tackles away from the all time record. He surpassed that number in 2022 and 2023 before redshirting last season. In those seasons he combined for 20 games with double digit tackles
Best Defensive Back: Al'zillion Hamilton (Fresno State)
Was 4th in pass breakups nationally last season. Nick Nash won the triple crown last year, but against Hamilton he was held to 59 yards until a garbage time drive at the end of the game with Fresno up 33-7. Hamilton had 69 interception return yards at the time.
