Several UNC football players have been nominated for various college football awards. Check back in here as the season goes on to see the updated list of who’s been nominated for what!


QB Drake Maye — Maxwell Award, Manning Award, Shaun Alexander Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Walter Camp Award

drake maye UNC football quarterback appalachian state 2022 AP

Image via Associated Press/Reinhold Matay

Maye took the college football world by storm in the first half of the 2022 season, winning six of his first seven career starts and posting gaudy stats. He ranks in the nation’s top 10 in passing touchdowns (34, tied for first as of November 17), passing efficiency (178.89), passing yards (3,412) and total touchdowns (39, also tied for first as of November 17). All of those statistics rank first in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He has been named ACC Rookie of the Week five times, ACC Quarterback of the Week three times and earned weekly honors from the Davey O’Brien Award, Manning Award and Maxwell Award. Maye is now officially a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, which honors the top player in the college football, the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award.


WR Josh Downs — Biletnikoff Award, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award

Image via Inside Carolina/Jim Hawkins

Downs made a name for himself as one of the best receivers in the country in 2021, setting the UNC program record for receptions and catching eight touchdowns. The junior’s hype machine has been steadily picking up steam ever since UNC’s season ended, and he was named preseason first team All-ACC as both a receiver and a punt returner. In addition, Downs was named to the preseason watch list for three major awards: the Biletnikoff Award (nation’s top pass-catcher), the Walter Camp Award and the Maxwell Award (both given to college football’s Player of the Year). Downs was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff last season, which eventually went to Pitt’s Jordan Addison. Downs is also a semifinalist for the award this season. No Tar Heel has ever won any of the three awards.


DT Myles Murphy — Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy

Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati

A standout on UNC’s defensive line, Murphy was named second team All-ACC for his efforts in 2021. The then-sophomore tied for second on the team in both tackles for loss (nine) and sacks (4.5). Now, the junior has been named to watch lists for three major defensive awards: the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Outland Trophy. The Outland is given to college football’s top interior lineman (offensive or defensive), while the Bednarik and Nagurski awards are given to the Defensive Player of the Year. Julius Peppers is UNC’s only all-time winner of any of the three awards, taking home the Bednarik Award in 2001.


RB British Brooks — Doak Walker Award

Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Anthony Sorbellini

A breakout star at the end of the 2021 season, Brooks rushed for 285 yards and three touchdowns on just 27 carries in UNC’s final three games of the season. With the departure of Ty Chandler to the NFL, Brooks looks to be in prime position to be Carolina’s lead running back in 2022, and college football is taking notice. Brooks was named a preseason candidate for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back. No Tar Heel has ever received the honor.


P Ben Kiernan — Ray Guy Award

Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Brian Westerholt

The veteran Kiernan has started at punter since his freshman season in 2019. Now a senior, Kiernan has established himself as Mr. Reliable on UNC’s special teams unit. The Ireland native’s punt average of 42.7 yards is fourth in UNC history, and he has booted 23 punts of 50 or more yards in his career. Kiernan is on the preseason watch list for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s top punter. No Tar Heel has ever won the award.


LS Drew Little — Patrick Mannelly Award

Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati

Kiernan’s partner in crime, Drew Little has been UNC’s trusted long snapper for three seasons. Phil Steele named Little to the preseason second team All-ACC for 2022. Not only that, Little is also on the preseason watch list for the Patrick Mannelly Award, given to the nation’s top long snapper.


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