More awards. More Buckeyes.
On Wednesday, C.J. Stroud and Marvin Harrison Jr. were named semifinalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, given annually to the best player in college football. At the same time, Kamryn Babb was named a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, presented to a player who has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.
Stroud and Harrison are two of 22 semifinalists for the Walter Camp, the fourth-oldest college football award in the country. They also represent two of four players from the Big Ten on the list, including running backs Chase Brown of Illinois and Blake Corum of Michigan.
A finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award and Davey O'Brien Award, C.J. Stroud has tremendously facilitated the Ohio State offense this season, completing 67.1% of his passes for 2,750 yards, 34 touchdowns and only four interceptions. The Buckeyes currently rank No. 6 in total offense and No. 2 in scoring offense at 501.9 yards and 46.8 points per game.
Harrison, a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award along with Stroud, has been the largest benefactor of Stroud's success passing the football this season. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound sophomore has worked well in tandem with Stroud, making several incredible catches on his way to recording 60 receptions, 969 yards and 11 touchdowns through 10 games this season.
Meanwhile, Babb's nomination as a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year was not based on statistical accumulation for the Buckeyes this year. Instead, his character leadership off the field in the locker room, the classroom and the community set him apart for Witten's charity, the SCORE Foundation.
"Kam Babb is a universally recognized team leader for the second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes," the foundation wrote in a press release. "A two-time captain, his impact has been felt off the field as this fall he was awarded the Block 'O' jersey, which goes annually to the player who best personifies the qualities of the Ohio State great Buckeye, and Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer, Bill Willis: toughness, accountability and character. While Babb’s time on the field has been limited due to four knee surgeries, his impact off of it has been felt every day.
"His impact was felt most this past Saturday when he caught his first collegiate pass in Ohio State’s win over Indiana: an 8-yard touchdown pass. In addition to being a captain, a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a three-time OSU Scholar-Athlete, Babb had the honor last fall of speaking at the investiture of Ohio State University President Kristina M. Johnson. He graduated last December with his degree in communications."
Babb was also named Wednesday as a nominee for the Orange Bowl–FWAA Courage Award, which honors a player for “displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship.” The winner of that award will be honored during the Orange Bowl.
The Walter Camp Player of the Year is voted on by the 131 FBS head coaches across the country and their sports information directors. A list of five finalists will be announced on Nov. 30, and the winner will be selected at ESPN's College Football Awards Show on Dec. 8.
As for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, three finalists will be named for the award on Dec.14. A few months later, on Feb. 23, 2023, the winner will be announced at the award ceremony in Frisco, Texas.
