Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
Heading into the 2014 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 2015 NFL Draft. We also will project the winners of the postseason awards that are given out to the best of college football.
The Johnny Rodgers Award is given to the best returner in college football. Last year’s winner was Stanford’s Ty Montgomery.
Rodgers Award Winner:
Stefon Diggs, Maryland I think Ty Montgomery stands a great shot to repeat, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Maryland finds a way to get the ball to Diggs more. In large part that is because he’s the program’s best play-maker and having him on punts and kicks increases his chances of making a big play for the Terrapins. Stanford will use Montgomery on kickoffs of course, but Diggs should see more return opportunities.
Diggs is one of the most electric players in college football and should be poised for a breakout junior season. As a freshman, Diggs made an immediate impact. He caught 54 passes for 848 yards with six touchdowns in 2012. Diggs had a big impact on special teams as well. He averaged 10 yards per punt return and 28.5 yards on his kick returns, plus took two kicks back for touchdowns. In 2013, Diggs got off to a great start. The sophomore recorded 34 receptions for 587 yards (17.3 average) and three touchdowns before breaking his right fibula in October. The injury caused him to miss the rest of the season.
The ingredients seem to be there for Diggs to have a huge season. Maryland has some weak opponents early in the year before some challenging Big Ten programs. Diggs could pad his stats against the weak teams and add to those numbers as Maryland trails against the better opponents. Featuring Diggs will give the Terrapins a shot at trying to compete with the likes of Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin. Plus, Maryland will want the ball in Diggs’ hands as much as possible, so he should see tons of return opportunities once again. Diggs could put up a ton of all-purpose yardage in 2014 and be one of the top special teams players in the nation.
Rodgers Award Runner-Up:
Ty Montgomery, Stanford Montgomery is the best kick returner in the nation, so it would surprise nobody if he won the Rodgers Award for the second straight year.
Montgomery was second in the nation in kick returns in 2013 with an average of 30 yards per return with two touchdown returns. As a freshman in 2011, Montgomery worked well with Andrew Luck in limited playing time. Montgomery had 24 receptions for 350 yards with two scores. The next season, his numbers were down, but as a junior, Montgomery produced well. He caught 61 passes for 958 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. He also has been a weapon on special teams.
Montgomery is the explosive threat in the Stanford offense, so he should get plenty of opportunities to impress on kick returns as a senior.
Rodgers Award Dark Horse:
Stacy Coley, Miami Coley flashed some big-play ability last year. The true freshman averaged 18 yards per reception as he hauled in 33 catches for 591 yards with seven touchdowns. On special teams, Coley also showed big-play potential. He averaged 26 yards per kick return and 20 yards per punt return, plus put up had a return touchdown on both a kickoff and a punt.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Coley could produce a big sophomore season and is darkhorse candidate for postseason honors like the Rodgers Award.
Honorable Mentions: Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett, Oregon wide receiver Bralon Addison, USC wide receiver Nelson Agholar, Florida wide receiver Andre Debose, Alabama wide receiver Christon Jones and Baylor wide receiver Corey Coleman.
2014 Preseason All-American Projections:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | P/K
Rimington Trophy | Mackey Award | Lombardi Award | Thorpe Award | Butkus Award | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Outland Trophy | Biletnikoff Award | Walker Award | Hendricks Award | O'Brien Award | Groza Award | Guy Award | Bednarik Award | Camp Award | Maxwell Award | Nagurski Award | Rodgers Award | Hornung Award | Heisman Trophy | College Playoff Projections
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | P/K
Rimington Trophy | Mackey Award | Lombardi Award | Thorpe Award | Butkus Award | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Outland Trophy | Biletnikoff Award | Walker Award | Hendricks Award | O'Brien Award | Groza Award | Guy Award | Bednarik Award | Camp Award | Maxwell Award | Nagurski Award | Rodgers Award | Hornung Award | Heisman Trophy | College Playoff Projections
NFL Picks - Dec. 13
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
