2019 Preseason Award Projections: Rimington Trophy

By Charlie Campbell
Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.

Heading into the 2019 college football season, WalterFootball.com will debut our projections for the nation’s leaders during the fall. The All-American teams always have some surprises, and the next fall’s stars could be the headline players next May for the 2020 NFL Draft. We also will project the winners of the postseason awards that are given out to the best of college football.

The Rimington Award is given to the top center in college football. Seven years ago, I predicted that Alabama center Barrett Jones would win the Riminigton Trophy and Jones brought home the award. Six years ago, I said I was less confident, but I still got it right with Florida State’s Bryan Stork. Five years ago, I made it three straight years of getting it right with Auburn’s Reese Dismukes. My streak ended four years ago when Alabama’s Ryan Kelly won the award. My prediction was Notre Dame’s Nick Martin, who ended being drafted in the second round, a round behind Kelly. Last year, N.C. State center Garrett Bradbury won the award.

Rimington Award Winner:

Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin

Biadasz played well for Wisconsin in 2018, opening a lot of holes at the point of attack and being steady in pass protection. After redshirting in 2016, Biadasz broke into the starting lineup and performed very well for the Badgers. Biadasz was a tough run blocker who helped open a lot of holes for Jonathan Taylor. Biadasz could be better in 2019, and he’ll enjoy having Taylor to play off of him again. The Badgers should produce lots of big rushing totals once again, and their reputation for offensive line play will help Biadasz to be selected for lots of postseason honors. I think Biadasz could be the best center in college football, and if he stays healthy, I think he has to be the heavy favorite for the Rimington Award.

Riminigton Runner-Up:

Jake Hansen, Oregon

Hansen was a solid and dependable interior blocker for Oregon, but he has room for improvement. Hansen could stand to improve his strength for the NFL, but he’s reliable inside blocker who made 34 straight starts before a targeting penalty ended the streak. Hansen shouldn’t go unnoticed as the center for star quarterback Justin Herbert. There also is other pro talent on the Ducks’ offensive line that will help Hansen as a unit. He looks like a top candidate to earn lots of postseason honors this year, and he definitely has a real shot at winning the Rimington Award.

Riminigton Dark Horse:

Nick Harris, Washington

Harris (6-1, 302) is a tough center for the Huskies who does a solid job of protecting the quarterback and contributing to the running game. He was a First-Team All-Pac-12 selection as a junior for manning the middle of the Huskies line. In 2017, he played right guard. Harris has talent around him, so he should continue to play well as a senior.

Honorable Mentions: Alabama’s Alex Leatherwood, Washington State’s Frederick Mauigoa, Mississippi State’s Darryl Williams and Louisville’s T.J. McCoy.