Jameis Winston, Jordan Lynch lead 2013 Walter Camp Player of the Year finalists
By Jack Crosby
On Wednesday, the Walter Camp Foundation announced five finalists for the 2013 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. This year’s final list is comprised of four very talented quarterbacks and one bruising running back that has broken the coveted 2,000-yard barrier.
Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch, Florida State’s Jameis Winston, Alabama’s AJ McCarron, Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel and Boston College’s Andre Williams were all named as potential winner of the award.
All five of these young men are more than deserving of the dubious honor, and this will be the second time that Manziel will be up for it, as he was a finalist following last season as well, but the award went to Notre Dame LB Manti Te’o.
For Lynch, McCarron, Winston and Williams, they’ve all made their mark as well.
Lynch has Northern Illinois in a position to appear in their second straight BCS bowl, something unheard of for a team from the MAC. He has the chance this weekend to go over 2,000 yards both rushing and passing, which certainly validates naming him among the best in the nation.
McCarron, while he may not get that third straight championship ring he was seeking because of this past weekend’s loss to Auburn, has still done a fantastic job of manning the vaunted Crimson Tide offense, and at least has the chance to get his third straight BCS bowl win.
Winston, as a redshirt freshman, has virtually set the world on fire as he has the Seminoles ready to appear in Pasadena, where they will compete for the national championship. All he has to do is put in one more quality performance against Duke this weekend in Charlotte.
Williams has been the surprise of 2013. Rushing for over 2,000 yards this year, Williams has been an integral part of helping the Eagles get to a bowl game this season, following just two wins last year.
The winner of this award will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 12 on the 6 ET edition of SportsCenter.