Tracking Football finds that 36 of 39 (92%) college football players named finalists by National College Football Awards Association participated in multiple sports during high school.
Number of sports played in high school:
4 sports: 3 (8%)
3 sports: 12 (31%)
2 sports: 21 (54%)
1 sport: 3 (8%)
Sports participation in high school:
Track & Field: 24 (62%)
Basketball: 17 (44%)
Baseball: 5 (13%)
Soccer: 3 (8%)
Other: 5 (13%)
Below is Tracking Football’s multiple sport breakdown of each major award’s finalists:
Bednarik Award – College Defensive Player of the Year
Bradley Chubb, NC State
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
- Track & Field
- 5.0/5.0 PAI
Roquan Smith, Georgia
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 3.0/5.0 PAI
Biletnikoff Award – Outstanding Receiver
Michael Gallup, Colorado State
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 3.6/5.0 PAI
David Sills V, West Virginia
James Washington, Oklahoma State
- Track & Field, Basketball, Tennis
- 4.2/5.0 PAI
Bronko Nagurski Trophy – Most Outstanding Defensive Player
Bradley Chubb, N.C. State
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
- Track & Field
- 5.0/5.0 PAI
Josey Jewell, Iowa
- Track & Field, Basketball, Baseball
- 3.0/5.0 PAI
Ed Oliver, Houston
- Track & Field
- 3.8/5.0 PAI
Roquan Smith, Georgia
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 3.2/5.0 PAI
Butkus Award – Best Linebacker
Devin Bush, Michigan
- Track & Field
- 2.7/5.0 PAI
Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 4.6/5.0 PAI
T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin
- Basketball, Baseball
Dorian O’Daniel, Clemson
- Track & Field
- 2.2/5.0 PAI
Roquan Smith, Georgia
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 3.0/5.0 PAI
Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award – Nation’s Best Quarterback
J.T. Barrett, Ohio State
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 3.0/5.0 PAI
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
- Baseball
Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
- Basketball
Doak Walker Award – Nation’s Premier Running Back
Saquon Barkley, Penn State
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 3.9/5.0 PAI
Bryce Love, Stanford
- Track & Field
- 3.8/5.0 PAI
Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 4.9/5.0 PAI
Heisman Trophy – Most Outstanding Player
Lamar Jackson, Louisville
- Track & Field
Bryce Love, Stanford
- Track & Field
- 3.8/5.0 PAI
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
- Baseball
John Mackey Award – Outstanding Tight End
Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
- Basketball
Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin
- Baseball
Mike Gesicki, Penn State
- Basketball, Volleyball
Lou Groza Collegiate Award – Nation’s Outstanding Placekicker
Daniel Carlson, Auburn
- Soccer
Dominik Eberle, Utah State
- Soccer
Matt Gay, Utah
- Soccer
Maxwell Award – College Player of the Year
Saquon Barkley, Penn State
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 3.9/5.0 PAI
Bryce Love, Stanford
- Track & Field
- 3.8/5.0 PAI
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
- Baseball
Outland Trophy – Nation’s Most Outstanding Interior Lineman
Orlando Brown, Oklahoma
- Track & Field
- 3.0/5.0 PAI
Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
- Basketball
Ed Oliver, Houston
- Track & Field
- 3.8/5.0 PAI
Paul Hornung Award – Most Versatile Player
Saquon Barkley, Penn State
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 3.9/5.0 PAI
Nyheim Hines, N.C. State
- Track & Field
- 3.8/5.0 PAI
Joel Lanning, Iowa State
- Track & Field, Baseball, Wrestling
Dante Pettis, Washington
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 4.1/5.0 PAI
Paycom Jim Thorpe Award – Nation’s Best Defensive Back
DeShon Elliott, Texas
- Track & Field
- 3.0/5.0 PAI
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
- Track & Field
- 5.0/5.0 PAI
Josh Jackson, Iowa
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 4.6/5.0 PAI
Ray Guy Award – College Punter of the Year
Michael Dickson, Texas
- Australian Rules Football
JK Scott, Alabama
Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah
- Australian Rules Football
Rimington Award – Outstanding Center
Bradley Bozeman, Alabama
- Track & Field
- 2.8/5.0 PAI
Will Clapp, LSU
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 3.2/5.0 PAI
Billy Price, Ohio State
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 5.0/5.0 PAI
Walter Camp Award – Most Outstanding Player
Saquon Barkley, Penn State
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 3.9/5.0 PAI
Lamar Jackson, Louisville
- Track & Field
Bryce Love, Stanford
- Track & Field
- 3.8/5.0 PAI
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
- Baseball
Rashaad Penny, San Diego State
- Track & Field, Basketball
- 2.7/5.0 PAI