Defensive Award Power Rankings Following Week Nine

Week ten continues with crucial matchups in the SEC as Tennessee faces Georgia and Alabama faces LSU. After this week, three weeks remain for players to be named finalists.

Chuck Bednarik/Bronco Nagurski Award

The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the defensive player in college football.

1. Will Anderson

Junior, Alabama

Week 9 Stats: N/A – Bye Week
Season Stats: 36 Tackles, 6 Sacks, 1 Interception

2. Daiyan Henley

Senior, Washington State

Week 9 Stats: 12 Tackles, 1 PD
Season Stats: 80 Tackles, 4 Sacks, 2 FFs, 2 FRs, 1 INT, 1 PD

WSU’s Daiyan Henley describing his game-sealing interception vs. Idaho (and his reluctant decision to go down instead of run it back and try for six) is, sincerely, pure comedy ?? pic.twitter.com/0gxGylxEkd

— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) September 4, 2022

3. Ivan Pace Jr

Senior, Cincinnati

Week 9 Stats: 11 Tackles, 1 PD
Season Stats: 82 Tackles, 7 Sacks, 1 FF, 3 PDs

Ivan Pace Jr has been incredible for @GoBearcatsFB this season? pic.twitter.com/neUDxQoYXc

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 21, 2022

4. Ji’Ayir Brown

Senior, Penn State

Week 9 Stats: 8 Tackles
Season Stats: 49 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 FF, 2 PDs, 3 INTs

5. Clark Phillips III

Sophomore, Utah

Week 9 Stats: 3 Tackles
Season Stats: 19 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 PDs, 5 INTs

Will Anderson is Will Anderson. Daiyan Henley closed the gap and is making a case for the top spot. Ivan Pace Jr dominated this week, creating a potential 3-way battle for #1. Drew Sanders and Tyrice Knight are players to watch.

Oct 8, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) attempts a pass while Washington State Cougars linebacker Daiyan Henley (1) tackles him.

Outland Trophy

The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best college football interior lineman.

1. Peter Skoronski

Junior, Northwestern

Highest graded Offensive Tackles this season:

1️⃣ Joe Alt: 90.9
2️⃣ Peter Skoronski: 89.2
3️⃣ Blake Freeland: 86.6
4️⃣ Graham Barton: 85.5 pic.twitter.com/2Nfnzm6oR9

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 27, 2022

2. Jarrett Patterson

Senior, Notre Dame

3. John Michael Schmitz

Senior, Minnesota

4. Bryan Bresee

Sophomore, Clemson

5. Steve Avila

Senior, TCU

The list does not change this week. Peter Skoronski and Jarrett Patterson are unstoppable this year. Skoronski holds a healthy lead over the Irish center, but there is still time for Patterson to close the gap. Bryan Bresee is enduring a challenging time, yet he’s out there every game making a massive impact for Clemson. Avila continues to rise on draft boards and finds himself at #5. Cooper Beebe is a name to watch in the closing weeks.

Oct 22, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Peter Skoronski (77) prepares to block against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium.

Dick Butkus Award

The Butkus Award is given annually to the top linebackers at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels of football.

1. Drew Sanders

Junior, Arkansas

Week 9 Stats: 2 Tackles
Season Stats: 65 Tackles, 6.5 Sacks, 3 FF, 3 PDs

2. Daiyan Henley

Senior, Washington State

Week 9 Stats: 12 Tackles, 1 PD
Season Stats: 80 Tackles, 4 Sacks, 2 FFs, 2 FRs, 1 INT, 1 PD

Highest-graded linebacker in the country:

? Daiyan Henley, Washington State – 90.8 pic.twitter.com/t3r7pWjlPK

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 20, 2022

3. Ivan Pace Jr

Senior, Cincinnati

Week 9 Stats: 11 Tackles, 1 PD
Season Stats: 82 Tackles, 7 Sacks, 1 FF, 3 PDs

Ivan Pace Jr had another monster performance in Week 8?@GoBearcatsFB pic.twitter.com/j4cd5dZWO1

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 25, 2022

4. Tyrice Knight

Senior, UTEP

Week 9 Stats: 11 Tackles, 1 PD, 1 FF
Season Stats: 75 Tackles, 1 Sack, 3 FFs, 1 FR, 3 PDs, 1 INT

5. Tommy Eichenberg

Senior, Ohio State

Week 9 Stats: 15 Tackles
Season Stats: 72 Tackles, 2.5 Sacks, 2 PDs, 1 INT

Drew Sanders is proving himself by leading this Arkansas defense. Daiyan Henley has closed the gap on Sanders in the closing weeks. Ivan Pace Jr slides into #3, inches above Tyrice Knight and Tommy Eichenberg. Jack Campbell is a dark horse candidate for this award.

Sep 3, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Michael Mayer (87) runs after the catch as Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (35) defends during the third quarter at Ohio Stadium.

Thorpe Award

The Jim Thorpe Award is presented to the top defensive back in college football.

1. Ji’ Ayir Brown

Senior, Penn State

Week 9 Stats: 8 Tackles
2022 Stats: 49 Tackles, 3 PDs, 1 Sack, 3 INTs, 1 FF

2. Gervarrius Owens

Senior, Houston

Week 9 Stats: 8 Tackles
Season Stats: 45 Tackles, 4 PDs, 1 FF, 2 FR, 1 INT

3. Clark Phillips III

Sophomore, Utah

Week 9 Stats: 3 Tackles
Season Stats: 19 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 PDs, 5 INTs

Plays like this are the reason why I am so high on Utah Clark Phillips! His instinct’s are on another level. pic.twitter.com/iw7MoO4Dnt

— Robert Cardona (@CARDONAFAM29) October 31, 2022

4. Jartavius “Quan” Martin

Senior, Illinois

Week 9 Stats: 4 Tackles, 1 PD, 1 FF, 1 INT
Season Stats: 37 Tackles, 9 PDs, 3 INTs, 3 FFs, 2 FR

He picked off a pass, and he got his team the ball on this hit. ?

Jartavius Martin (@JartaviusM_) is just one of the @IlliniFootball D's playmakers.#TheOneFansDeserve x @drpepper pic.twitter.com/3LFxul3svu

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 30, 2022

5. Gabe Taylor

Sophomore, Rice

Week 9 Stats: 4 Tackles, 1 PD
Season Stats: 36 Tackles, 3 PDs, 2 INTs

Ji’Ayir Brown is having an impressive season for the Nittany Lions and is one of three Penn State players in my top 15 for this award. Gervarrius Owens stays at #2 with solid performances over the past four weeks. Clark Phillips and Jartavius “Quan” Martin impressed, allowing Gabe Taylor to close the gap; however, Taylor had an ok week and stayed at #5.

Sep 24, 2022; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Utah Utes cornerback Clark Phillips III (1) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Charles Hall IV (0) during the first half at Sun Devil Stadium.

Ray Guy Award

The Ray Guy Award is presented annually to college football’s most outstanding punter. Rest in peace Ray Guy.

1. Bryce Baringer

Senior, Michigan State

Week 9 Stats: 4 Punts, 39.8 AVG, 50 Long, 1 In 20
Season Stats: 34 Punts, 50.0 AVG, 70 Long, 14 In 20

Bryce Baringer starts the season with a 68 yard bomb for @MSU_Football. ? pic.twitter.com/d7sh0UgoLC

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 2, 2022

2. Joe Doyle

Senior, Memphis

Week 9 Stats: N/A- Bye Week
Season Stats: 32 Punts, 47.9 AVG, 64 Long, 8 In 20

3. Mason Fletcher

Sophomore, Cincinnati

Week 9 Stats: 6 Punts, 44.7 AVG, 51 Long, 3 In 20
Season Stats: 37 Punts, 47.2 AVG, 84 Long, 19 In 20

Cincinnati's Australian punter, Mason Fletcher, can't make NIL money as an international athlete.

Instead, he's giving all would-be earnings from his apparel sales to the team's walk-ons. pic.twitter.com/fQGqhYerR1

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) September 17, 2022

4. Tory Taylor

Junior, Iowa

Week 9 Stats: 1 Punt, 12.0 AVG, 12 Long, 0 In 20
Season Stats: 47 Punts, 44.9 AVG, 63 Long, 21 In 20

5. Ben Kiernan

Senior, UNC

Week 9 Stats: 4 Punts, 46.0 AVG, 52 Long, 3 In 20
Season Stats: 25 Punts, 47.4 AVG, 70 Long, 9 In 20

Bryce Baringer is undoubtedly the best punter this year, averaging over 50 yards per punt, with 13/30 landing inside the 20. Joe Doyle received the nod over Fletcher due to his average punt yards. Mason Fletcher is there and can overtake him soon. Tory Taylor is at #4 as he is the MVP of Iowa football this year and deserves love. South Carolina Punter Kai Kroeger is a name to watch.