The ninth annual Hammys … an award “ceremony” granting college football’s greatest stars the most prestigious honors given by a 21-year-old! First, I must give a little thanks to the people that make this special article possible. In 2014, the first Hammys were published as my first printed article. The Bulldawg Illustrated family led and founded by Cheri and Vance Leavy welcomed a seventh grader with horrible grammar into their amazing newspaper (now magazine). It has been an opportunity unlike any other to write for the best magazine in the world! I don’t think Cheri and Vance understood what they were getting themselves into when they offered a column to me. Now nine years later, I am set to graduate from this great University we all love with a career path in sports media that began with Cheri, Vance and the BI family! For the first time ever, the Hammys ceremony will be aired via podcast on the Hammy Show! I welcomed in former Georgia punter and all-time legend Drew Butler to co-host. The episode goes further into detail on all the finalists for each award, but before we kick off this written piece, I want to say I will forever be indebted to this magazine and the opportunity gifted to me!
Without further delay, the 2023 Hammys go to…
QB of the Year
Jayden Daniels, LSU’s senior quarterback, earned a nation’s best 95.7 QBR! The transfer from Arizona State is responsible for 50 touchdowns: 40 passing and 10 rushing. He’s racked up the third most yards through the air with 3,812 to just four interceptions. Furthermore, his legs separate him from any other QB. The dual threat signal caller has 1,134 yards on the ground, the most by any quarterback this season and second in the SEC (only behind Missouri’s running back Cody Schrader). Jayden Daniels, here’s your well-deserved Hammy!
RB of the Year
Ollie Gordon from Oklahoma State has earned Barry Sanders comparisons from the Oklahoma State faithful as well as scouts. That’s pretty good company for the sophomore Cowboy, and it’s rightfully so. Gordon led the nation in rushing with 1,614 rushing yards, but the superstar from Fort Worth’s head-turning stat is eight 100-yard rushing games, two of which he went for over 250 yards. Transfer portal speculations are swirling, but for this year, Ollie Gordon, here’s that RB of the Year Hammy!
WR of the Year
Jayden Daniels earned himself a Hammy, but he didn’t do it all on his own. His leading receiver Malik Nabersis that dude. The Youngsville, Louisiana native racked up 1,546 receiving yards (first in the country) with 14 touchdowns (tied for second in the country). However, the speedy wideout averaged 18 yards per reception. Moral of the story: if you need a first down, throw it to Nabers! Merry Christmas, happy New Year, and here’s that Hammy Malik!
TE of the Year
Well, this one’s obvious… Brock Bowers, you’ve done it again! For the third straight year the junior out of Napa, California has stolen this Hammy, and this is no bias. Big 19 racked up 714 receiving yards (second among tight ends) on 56 receptions for six receiving touchdowns. The crazy part: he missed four games and still put up those numbers. Bowers might go down as the greatest tight end in college football history. His presence on the field was second to none, one of the biggest difference makers in college football this season.
Defensive Player of the Year
College football is always filled with amazing comeback stories, and this one does not disappoint. Laiatu Latu transferred from Washington to UCLA after medically retiring from football due to a neck injury. After winning comeback player of the year last year, he racked up 13 sacks, 49 tackles (21.5 tackles for a loss), two interceptions and two fumbles in 2023. There is no reason Latu should even be on a football field after an injury like he suffered, let alone balling out like he did all season long. To your story and to your performance on the field, Laiatu, here is that Hammy!
Offensive Lineman of the Year
Down in the trenches, there’s been some dawgs, but none compare to the 6-8, 322-pound Joe Altof Notre Dame. He’s ranked the No. 1 offensive lineman entering the 2024 NFL Draft with a 92 scouting grade. The junior beast is a huge reason Sam Hartman was successful in the passing game and why Audric Esteme was a rushing monster. Joe Alt, you’ve earned this Hammy and been a rock for the Fighting Irish.
Special Teams Player of the Year
The “Thicker Kicker” Harrison Mevis from Missouri took the motivation from a missed field goal against Auburn in 2022 to being the best kicker in college football in 2023. After a game-winning, last second 61-yarder, the 243-pounder soared to stardom. The 61-yard field goal is an SEC record passing Kevin Butler’s 60-yarder in 1984, and for this the “Thicker Kicker” snags this Hammy.
Best Looking Player of the Year
I always grant my little sister one pick in the annual Hammys. She gets to decide the best looking player in college football. This year, Mimi’s football heart sparkle was Michigan’s quarterback JJ McCarthy. Congrats JJ, on this Hammy, a.k.a. Mimi award. You have another fangirl!
Uniform of the Year
America’s Game between Army and Navy always rolls out some special threads dedicated to the servicemen of our great nation! This year, the uniforms did not disappoint, but for the best one of the year, Navy takes the cake. The “Silent Service” submarine tribute uniforms are sweet looking. In a statement released by Navy, the Academy said, “Navy Athletics and Under Armour unveiled the 2023 Army-Navy game uniform that will honor the Silent Service, the U.S. Submarine Force, its families and supporting personnel.” Thank you to all of our soldiers, and Midshipmen, here’s your Hammy!
Difference Maker
For work on and off the field, this is one of the most prestigious awards in all of college football, and your winner is none other than our very own Ladd McConkey. On the field, we see No. 84 making plays across the gridiron, but off the field, McConkey does more than just wear those silver britches. He is a young man who truly upholds the value of not for himself but for others! SVNV.
Villain of the Year
“The Greatest Story Ever Played,” as ESPN phrases their marketing ploy for college football, there has to be a villain. This year, there were plenty of “hated” people in college football, but no one is hated more than the CFP Committee. In the wise words of my co-host Drew Butler, “In all my travels, I’ve never found a statue of a committee. That’s enough said… we are all pitted against other teams, but we can at least agree that the Committee is not very liked across the entire country… except maybe Tuscaloosa. Here’s the worst Hammy, Committee, you deserve it!
Play of the Year
Moments to remember, athletes to never forget, there is no play that tops 4th and 31 on the Plains. Jalen Milroe dropped back with only two Tigers rushing. Everyone on that Auburn defense slipped to the secondary, shutting down the passing threat until… Isaiah Bond slips to the back left of the end zone where Milroe finds him! The Tide stayed alive and avoided the upset. Milroe and Co. kept Alabama’s playoff hopes alive on the wildest play in 2023!
Game of the Year
It’s a bit of a repeat affair, but that Iron Bowl was the stuff of legends. From muffed punts, to fumbled snaps and touchdowns on 4th and miles, all the way to an interception, this Iron Bowl had it all in the last two minutes of the game. Wow, what a game.
Coach of the Year
Well, there is not a coach who did a finer job than Kalen DeBoer of Washington. Taking the Huskies to the CFP as the No. 2 team in the country in his second season at the helm, you can’t ask for more from a head coach. He’s got a Heisman finalist at quarterback, a Pac-12 championship and a chance at the national title. Heck of a job from Coach DeBoer, congratulations on this Hammy!
Leavy’s Damn Good Player of the Year
The high-level play from various athletes across the country made one of the greatest college football seasons to date. This award is not a stat-padding award, however. This award is granted to the most impactful player in the country. There is no larger impact on a football team than Jordan Travis. Yes, his performance on the field was legendary for the Seminoles of Florida State, but after going down to a season-ending injury, the Noles continued to win; it just wasn’t the same type of domination that they were doing with Travis under center. The CFP Committee (our villain of the year) took his injury to the extreme and left FSU out of the final top four despite them going 13-0 with an ACC Championship. You can’t tell me that Travis’ impact on FSU and the entire college football landscape is matched because it’s not. We will see you in Miami at the Orange Bowl, Florida State, and to your quarterback, here’s your Hammy!