The upcoming college football season is set to highlight several standout players as frontrunners for the sport’s major awards. Among those expected to make significant impacts are Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, and receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Jeremiah Smith, a sophomore at Ohio State, is generating attention for the Fred Biletnikoff Award after a freshman season with 1,315 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. He outpaced first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and contributed key performances in the Buckeyes’ national title run.
Caleb Downs has established himself as a candidate for the Jim Thorpe Award following a year in which he was named Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year. With 82 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and six pass break-ups last season, Downs has become a consistent presence on defense since transferring from Alabama.
Dylan Stewart of South Carolina is among those considered for the Chuck Bednarik Award after making the SEC All-Freshman team with 23 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and forcing three fumbles in his initial campaign. The award has not yet been given to a safety in its three-decade history; Stewart is one of seven sophomores on this year’s watch list.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love stands out as a frontrunner for the Doak Walker Award after leading his team with 1,125 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns last year. As Notre Dame transitions quarterbacks this season, Love may see an increased role.
Utah’s Spencer Fano is listed among candidates for the Outland Trophy after earning top marks among FBS offensive tackles in 2024, including allowing only one sack over more than four hundred pass-block attempts.
For college football’s most prominent individual award—the Heisman Trophy—Clemson’s Cade Klubnik leads early predictions following last year’s performance: completing over sixty-three percent of his passes for more than 3,600 yards and scoring thirty-six touchdowns through the air with an additional seven scores on foot.
Clemson opens at No. 4 in preseason polls. If Klubnik maintains form throughout the year, he could lead Clemson to another successful campaign and contend to become their first Heisman winner since Trevor Lawrence.
