Kyle Golik’s Ballot for the Maxwell, Bednarik, and Other Major Awards

Nittany Sports Now’s Kyle Golik has submitted his annual ballot for several of college football’s most prestigious postseason honors, including the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards, the Outland Trophy, the Lou Groza Award, and the FWAA’s Nagurski and Eddie Robinson Awards. 

Golik is a member of both the FWAA and Maxwell Football Club.

His selections reflect a balance of elite production, consistency, and impact on team success throughout the 2025 season.

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George Munger Award — Maxwell Football Club Coach of the Year

1. Curt Cignetti, Indiana
2. Joey McGuire, Texas Tech
3. Mike Elko, Texas A&M
4. Clark Lea, Vanderbilt

Lou Groza Award — Nation’s Best Kicker

1. Peyton Woodring, Georgia
2. Aiden Birr, Georgia Tech
3. Trey Butkowski, Pitt

Outland Trophy — Nation’s Best Interior Lineman

1. Sheridan Wilson, Texas Tech
2. Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
3. Francis Mauigoa, Miami

Nagurski Trophy — FWAA Defensive Player of the Year

1. David Bailey, Texas Tech
2. Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
3. Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year

1. Curt Cignetti, Indiana
   
2. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss
   
3. Tony Elliott, Virginia

Bednarik Award — Defensive Player of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club

1. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
2. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
3. Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Maxwell Award — Player of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club

1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
2. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
3. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana