The postseason awards could pile up quickly for Ohio State this year.
C.J. Stroud and Marvin Harrison Jr. are semifinalists for the Maxwell Award, Tommy Eichenberg is a semifinalist for the Bednarik and Butkus Awards, Paris Johnson Jr. is a semifinalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award, Lathan Ransom is a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, Emeka Egbuka is a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award and Jim Knowles is a nominee for the Broyles Award.
Add to that a few more nominations for Ohio State players made on Tuesday – Stroud for the Davey O'Brien and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards and Cade Stover for the John Mackey Award.
Stroud is one of 22 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the best quarterback in college football. He was one of three finalists for the accolade last season but fell short of Alabama's Bryce Young, who also took home the Heisman Trophy in 2021. This year, he returns on the shortlist with Young, Tennessee's Hendon Hooker and USC's Caleb Williams, among others.
As for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, Stroud is one of five finalists for the honor, along with Hooker, Georgia's Stetson Bennett, TCU's Max Duggan and Oregon's Bo Nix. The candidates were selected by a committee, prominent journalists, commentators, announcers and former players. The award is given annually to the top senior or upperclassman quarterback set to graduate with their class.
Racking up the Recognition @CJ7STROUD pic.twitter.com/exqQlww2OX
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 15, 2022
Stroud has also been a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy this year, leading Ohio State's powerful offense that currently ranks No. 6 in total offense and No. 2 in scoring offense at 501.9 yards and 46.8 points per offense game.
In 2022, Stroud has completed 186 of 277 passes for 2,750 yards, 34 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He is tied with North Carolina's Drake Maye for the FBS lead in passing touchdowns, and he ranks No. 1 in passing efficiency (188.16), No. 5 in yards per completion (14.78), No. 6 in points responsible for (204) and No. 20 in completion percentage (67.1%).
Meanwhile, Stover was named one of nine semifinalists for the John Mackey Award, given annually to the best tight end in college football.
We see you @cstov8 pic.twitter.com/Y7zfIMfO2Q
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 15, 2022
The fourth-year Buckeye accompanies players like Georgia's Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington, Purdue's Payne Durham, Utah's Dalton Kincaid, Iowa's Sam LaPorta, Notre Dame's Michael Mayer and Texas' Ja'Tavion Sanders as semifinalists for the award.
Stover's emergence has made him a legitimate receiving threat in the passing game, in addition to his stellar blocking in the running game. He is currently third on the team with 29 catches and fourth with 366 yards and five touchdowns and is only 10 receptions away from entering the top five for all-time catches for a tight end in program history.
Against Wisconsin and Indiana, Stover hauled in two touchdown catches in each game. In the Buckeyes' matchup with Penn State, he scored on a 24-yard catch and run that resulted in several broken tackles from Nittany Lion defenders as he trucked his way into the end zone. All three performances proved why Stover is considered one of the best in the nation at his position.
Three finalists will be tabbed for the Davey O'Brien Award on Nov. 29, and the winner will be selected at The Home Depot College Football Awards show on Dec. 8. The recipient of the John Mackey Award will also be chosen on the same date. The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner will be honored the day before on Dec. 7.
