Florida State freshman quarterback Jameis Winston added the Davey O’Brien and Walter Camp awards to his trophy case Thursday, but he was denied the Maxwell.
Winston beat out Texas A&M sophomore Johnny Manziel, last year’s Heisman winner, and Alabama senior AJ McCarron for the O’Brien, which goes to the best quarterback. McCarron, though, took home his first major award by winning the Maxwell, which goes to the player of the year. McCarron has led Alabama to two national titles and lost just three games in three seasons as a starter.
Winston, McCarron and Manziel were the three finalists for the O’Brien and Maxwell awards.
“Super surprised,” McCarron said about winning the award. “I don’t think I’m the best player out of the other two that were mentioned.”
Since 2000, the same player has won the Maxwell and Heisman Trophy just twice. Winston is the favorite to win the Heisman, which will be awarded Saturday in New York.
While the O’Brien and Maxwell awards were announced at ESPN’s College Football Awards Show, Winston learned before the start of the show that he won the Camp player of the year award.
Other winners from the awards show:
Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald took home the Chuck Bednarik as defensive player of the year and the Outland as the most outstanding interior lineman.
Roberto Aguayo became the third FSU kicker to win the Lou Groza Award.
Andre Williams of Boston College won the Doak Walker for top running back.
Brandin Cooks of Oregon State is the Biletnikoff winner as the top receiver.
Tom Hornsey of Memphis took home the Ray Guy as the punter of the year.
Darqueze Dennard of Michigan State captured the Jim Thorpe for the best defensive back.
Earlier on Thursday, FSU’s Bryan Stork was named winner of the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s best center.
Winston is on his way to becoming one of the most decorated players in college football history. Besides winning the Walter Camp and O’Brien awards, he was named the ACC’s player of the year, offensive player of the year, rookie of the year and offensive rookie of the year. Next comes the likely Heisman, and he is expected to be the first-team quarterback on the Associated Press and Football Writers All-America teams, which will be announced next week.
“He came in (and) he earned the respect of his teammates,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. “He didn’t get caught up in his success. He remembered why he had success.”
Winston joins Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke as FSU quarterbacks to win the O’Brien and Manziel as the only other freshman. All three went on to win the Heisman, but Winston said Thursday that he wasn’t looking ahead toward Saturday’s ceremony.
“I’m not thinking about the Heisman right now,” he said. “I’m just enjoying this night. It’s an honor being in everyone’s presence.”
Winston has been scrutinized more than any player in the nation, in large part because of a year-old sexual assault allegation that resurfaced in November. On Thursday, he made his most telling comments about the three-week investigation that ended last week when a state attorney concluded there wasn’t enough evidence to bring charges.
When asked what he wanted people to know, he said: “How much my family took from this and how my team supported me through this whole thing. I know I did nothing wrong.”
Winston, who leads the nation in passing efficiency, has thrown for 3,820 yards and 38 touchdowns while leading FSU to a No. 1 ranking and 13-0 record. The Seminoles will face Auburn in the BCS title game in Pasadena, Calif., which will be played on Winston’s 20th birthday, Jan. 6.
“I’m focusing on Jan. 6 right now,” Winston said. “It’s my birthday, how can I not think about that? We have a battle. Coach Fisher and everyone will be preparing for that game. We have to win this game.”
Aguayo, a freshman, has made 19-of-20 field goals. His 147 points are FSU and ACC records and eight more than the Noles’ defense allowed all season. He joins Sebastian Janikowski (1998, 1999) and Graham Gano (2008) as Seminoles kickers to win the Groza.
“Kicking university,” Aguayo said about FSU. “It’s a blessing to be one of the top three. Now I can be considered as good as Sebastian, as good as Graham.”
Stork, a senior from Vero Beach, is the Seminoles’ first Rimington winner.
Winston, Aguayo and cornerback Lamarcus Joyner were named to the Walter Camp All-America team Thursday.
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