Cade Klubnik, Caleb Downs among
early favorites for college football's top awards
[August 20, 2025]
By MAURA CAREY
The race for college football’s most prestigious awards is about to
begin, and proven stars and rising sophomores are early
frontrunners. From Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik to Ohio State’s
star tandem of Caleb Downs and Jeremiah Smith, here are six players
positioned to add their name in the history books during the 2025-26
season:
Fred Biletnikoff Award: Jeremiah Smith
Few young receivers have generated as much hype as Ohio State’s
Jeremiah Smith, who comes off a dominant freshman season. Smith led
the Buckeyes with 1,315 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024,
finishing ahead of first-round pick Emeka Egbuka.
The No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class delivered for the Buckeyes
throughout their national title run, connecting with quarterback
Will Howard for 381 yards and five touchdowns in the postseason. At
6-foot-4 with excellent hands and elite route running capabilities,
it’s hard to keep the ball out of Smith’s hands.
Jim Thorpe Award: Caleb Downs
Two years into his collegiate career, accolades are stacking up for
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. The preseason first-team AP
All-American was an immediate standout for the Buckeyes after
spending his freshman season at Alabama.
Downs was named the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year after
finishing the season with 82 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and six
pass break-ups. He was critical to the championship run,
consistently locking down threats in the passing and running games.
He held tight end and eventual first-round draft pick Tyler Warren
to four catches for 47 yards in Ohio State’s 20-13 win over Penn
State and picked off Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers in the CFP
semifinal.
Chuck Bednarik Award: Dylan Stewart
After a breakout freshman campaign, South Carolina's Dylan Stewart
is poised to lead the Gamecocks' defense in 2025.
Stewart earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team after recording
23 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, four quarterback
hurries, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a pass
breakup. The edge rusher who can also drop into coverage put
together one of the best freshman defensive campaigns in South
Carolina since Jadeveon Clowney.
Though Downs will likely make a strong case, the Bednarik Award has
yet to be given to a safety in its 30 years of existence. Stewart is
one of just seven sophomores on the watch list for the award.
Doak Walker Award: Jeremiyah Love
Love is widely considered the top returning running back after
playing an integral role in Notre Dame’s best season since 1988. The
six-foot, 214-pound running back finished the season with 1,125
yards and 17 touchdowns on 163 carries, averaging 70.3 yards per
game, 8.5 yards per carry and at least one score in each of the
first 13 games.
As Notre Dame undergoes a quarterback shift in 2025, Love could see
even more opportunities to carry the offense, putting the preseason
AP All-American in prime position to take home the Doak Walker Award
as the nation’s top running back.
[to top of second column] |
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) scores a touchdown
against Oregon defensive back Kobe Savage (5) during the first half
in the quarterfinals of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff,
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J.
Terrill, File)
Outland Trophy: Spencer Fano
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best interior lineman in
college football. Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. earned the
award in 2024, marking back-to-back Outland Trophy wins for the
Longhorns after T’Vondre Sweat won in 2023.
We expect the award to stay on the offensive side of the ball in
2025 and Utah’s Spencer Fano is a player to watch. He led FBS
offensive tackles in 2024 with a 92.7 PFF grade, allowing just two
quarterback hits and one sack through 424 pass-block attempts. Fano
held his opponents to zero sacks through the last 11 games of the
season.
The preseason AP All-American has shown versatility, lining up on
the right and left sides, and seems a good bet to be a first-round
pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Heisman Trophy: Cade Klubnik
The most prestigious award in college football is likely to return
to the hands of a quarterback in 2025. Arch Manning, Garrett
Nussmeier and Cade Klubnik headline early Heisman conversations and
possess the best odds heading into the season.
Klubnik has the experience Manning lacks, the mobility Nussmeier
strives for and enough consistency in the receiving room to hit the
ground running in 2025.
The Clemson quarterback comes off an impressive 2024-2025 campaign,
completing 63.4% of passes for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six
interceptions. A dual-threat, he added 463 yards and seven
touchdowns on foot. His 36 touchdowns ranked behind only Shedeur
Sanders and Cam Ward, who were both selected in the 2025 NFL draft.
Clemson landed at No. 4 in the AP Top 25 preseason poll. If Klubnik
can measure up to high expectations, the Tigers could have their
first Heisman winner since Trevor Lawrence.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
