[ad_1]
Selecting All-State teams with 12 FBS programs is no easy task. Multiple players for each position have convincing arguments. Will the Offensive Player of the Year be Max Duggan or Frank Harris or Bijan Robinson? Are you taking Jaylan Ford or Tyree Wilson for Defensive Player of the Year? Richard Reese or Kelvin Banks for Offensive Freshman of the Year?
All difficult questions, few have an answer that can answer them all.
Offensive Player of the Year
Max Duggan, TCU, QB
It’s hard to believe Max Duggan’s storybook season of 2022. The senior from Iowa started 29 games for TCU entering the year, but he started the season on the bench behind Chandler Morris. An injury to Morris in the season opener against Colorado opened the door for Duggan to take back the reigns, and he hasn’t let go. Duggan led the Horned Frogs to a 12-1 record and berth in the College Football Playoff – the first for any program in Texas.
Duggan threw for 3,321 yards and 30 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He completed 65 percent of his passes and added 404 yards and five scores as a runner. Most importantly, he provided leadership and a winning mentality to a TCU squad that regularly overcame deficits late in games.
Texas running back Bijan Robinson and UTSA quarterback Frank Harris are also eligible.
Defensive Player of the Year
Jaylan Ford, Texas, LB
No defender in Texas has made a bigger impact on games than Ford. He is second in the state with 109 tackles and tied for first in the state with four interceptions despite playing linebacker. He is tied for second on the team with 10 tackles for loss. The junior from Frisco also recorded two sacks, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Ford did everything for a Texas team that relied on its defense during an eight-win season. The unit gave up just 21.17 points per game.
Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson was also a push, but a late-season injury gave Ford more opportunities to impress.
Coach of the Year
Sonny Dykes, TCU
Who else? Dykes made the controversial decision to leave SMU for its crosstown rival and replace a living legend in Gary Patterson. Dykes was unfazed by either challenge, lifting a program that went 16-18 over the past three seasons to a 12-1 record and the three-seed in the College Football Playoff. UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor, who led the Roadrunners to a second straight C-USA crown, won the award last season and could do so again in 2022.
Offensive Freshman of the Year
Richard Reese, Baylor, RB
A bright spot for an inconsistent Baylor offense is Reese, a 5-foot-9, 175-pound one-cut runner from Bellville. Reese finished the year with 962 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns on 190 carries, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt. He topped 100-yards in three games. The Bears are 4-0 with Reese receiving 19 or more rushing attempts. He added 13 catches out of the backfield. Kelvin Banks, who will be an All-Texas first-team selection, is another worthy choice.
Defensive Freshman of the Year
Bryce Anderson, Texas A&M, DB
Anderson looks like a future All-SEC selection when given opportunities in a talented Texas A&M secondary. He played in 11 games and finished the season with 28 tackles, including 3.5 for loss. He also tried to scratch and recovered two. Only true freshman from the 2022 cycle are eligible.
This article is available to our Digital Subscribers.
Click “Subscribe Now” to see a list of subscription offers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In to access this content.
[ad_2]
Source link
