As the PCFB regular season barrels into its final stretch, the race for postseason hardware is heating up. Week 12 marks the point where true contenders separate from the pack, and this year’s battles for the most prestigious awards are as competitive as ever. While nothing is set in stone, we’ve got a strong sense of who the favorites are heading into the closing weeks. From the Heisman Trophy to the Jet Award, the stars of the 2025 season have already written remarkable storylines — and they aren’t done yet.
We’ll revisit each award again once the finalists are officially announced, but for now, here’s where the race stands.
Heisman Trophy
The most prestigious honor in college football — the Heisman Trophy — has turned into a battle between two elite playmakers and one of the most dynamic wideouts in the country.
- Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State – 56 catches, 1,239 yards, 18 TDs
Smith has redefined dominance at wide receiver this season. His production is staggering, and the Buckeyes’ passing attack simply doesn’t function without him. Wide receivers rarely win the Heisman, but Smith’s case is as strong as any in recent memory. - DJ Lagway, QB, Florida – 2,885 passing yards, 23 TDs, 6 INTs; 896 rushing yards, 15 TDs
Lagway’s dual-threat ability has been the engine behind Florida’s success. His ability to take over games both through the air and on the ground makes him an undeniable Heisman contender. - Zachariah Branch, WR, USC – 77 catches, 1,087 yards, 12 TDs
Branch has been USC’s most reliable weapon, combining volume, explosiveness, and consistency. While he trails Smith statistically, his week-to-week impact keeps him firmly in the Heisman discussion.
Maxwell Award
The Maxwell goes to the nation’s most outstanding player, and right now it’s shaping up as the DJ Lagway show.
- DJ Lagway, QB, Florida – 2,885 passing yards, 23 TDs, 6 INTs; 896 rushing yards, 15 TDs
- Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State – 56 catches, 1,239 yards, 18 TDs
- Zachariah Branch, WR, USC – 77 catches, 1,087 yards, 12 TDs
Walter Camp Award
Often mirroring the Maxwell, the Walter Camp is awarded to the player of the year.
- DJ Lagway– 2,885 passing yards, 23 TDs, 6 INTs; 896 rushing yards, 15 TDs
- Jeremiah Smith– 56 catches, 1,239 yards, 18 TDs
- Zachariah Branch– 77 catches, 1,087 yards, 12 TDs
Davey O’Brien Award
Best quarterback honors bring a new layer of competition, as two other signal-callers are pushing Lagway.
- DJ Lagway, Florida– 2,885 passing yards, 23 TDs, 6 INTs; 896 rushing yards, 15 TDs
- Behren Morton, Texas Tech – 2,792 yards, 24 TDs, 4 INTs
- Demons Williams, LSU – 2,799 yards, 28 TDs, 5 INTs; plus 236 rushing yards
Chuck Bednarik Award
Defense takes center stage with the Bednarik, awarded to the top defender.
- Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State – 40 tackles, 18 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INT
- Bryce Boettcher, Oregon – 48 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 INT
- Jaden Dugger, Louisiana – 69 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 INTs
Bronko Nagurski Award
Another defensive honor, but more geared toward dominance.
- Bryce Boettcher, Oregon– 48 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 INT
- Arvell Reese, Ohio State– 40 tackles, 18 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INT
- Isaiah Glasker, BYU – 39 tackles, 14 sacks
Jim Thorpe Award
The top defensive back award is as tight as ever.
- Jaylon Guilbeau, Texas – 4 INTs, 34 tackles, 11 pass breakups
- Ceyair Wright, Nebraska – 5 INTs, 37 tackles, 5 deflections
- Domani Jackson, Alabama – 3 INTs, 37 tackles, 6 deflections
Doak Walker Award
Recognizing the top running back, this is a three-man sprint to the finish.
- Makhi Hughes, Oregon – 890 yards, 15 TDs
- Kanye Udoh, Arizona State – 1,203 yards, 16 TDs
- Darius Taylor, Minnesota – 834 yards, 12 TDs
Fred Biletnikoff Award
The nation’s top wideout is a two-horse race with a third lurking.
- Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State– 56 catches, 1,239 yards, 18 TDs
- Zachariah Branch, USC– 77 catches 1087 yards 12 tds
- Caleb Douglas, Texas Tech – 63 catches, 1,048 yards, 11 TDs
Lombardi Award
Given to the nation’s best lineman, this award showcases the defensive front.
- Dylan Stewart, South Carolina – 10 sacks, 21 tackles, 25 TFL
- Dashawn Womack, Ole Miss – 11 sacks, 16 TFL, 22 tackles
- Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon – 5 sacks, 17 tackles, 11 TFL
John Mackey Award
The tight end award features a true receiving race.
- Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt – 54 catches, 737 yards, 5 TDs
- Sage Ennis, Virginia – 57 catches, 596 yards, 7 TDs
- Richie Anderson, Fresno State – 49 catches, 640 yards, 5 TDs
D*** Butkus Award
The top linebacker race mirrors the Bednarik.
- Arvell Reese
- Bryce Boettcher
- Jaden Dugger
Jet Award
Given to the nation’s best return specialist, this one is electric.
- Dijon Stanley, New Mexico State – 1,221 return yards, 3 TDs
- Barion Brown, LSU – 635 return yards, 3 TDs
- Tank Hawkins, Florida – 657 return yards, 2 TDs
Final Thoughts
With just a couple of weeks left in the regular season, the races for these awards remain wide open. DJ Lagway sits firmly in control of multiple categories, Jeremiah Smith is surging toward the Biletnikoff — and perhaps even the Heisman — and defenders like Arvell Reese and Bryce Boettcher are making their cases with game-changing plays.
The Heisman will ultimately steal the spotlight, but every award is still up for grabs. One final burst of production, a season-defining game, or a highlight-reel play could swing the tide before the postseason begins.
We’ll revisit these races once the finalists are locked in, but for now, Week 12 reminds us that the road to the awards podium is just as thrilling as the playoff chase itself.
