Now that most of the hardware has been given out in college football, it's time to hand out our own awards to members of the SEC.
We here at the SEC blog don't exactly have physical awards or trophies to actually hand to these guys, but we feel like they appreciate these honors all the same.
The You're Too Young To Be Doing That To These Folks Offensive Player of the Year -- Jalen Hurts, QB, Alabama: Someone check his birth certificate, because there's no way Hurts is a true freshman. He accounted for 3,433 total yards of offense and 34 touchdowns to help Alabama win the SEC and head to the College Football Playoff with a 13-0 record and the No. 1 ranking.
You Can't Go Flying Through The Air Like That Defensive Player of the Year -- Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama: It's unfair to SEC offenses that he shunned the NFL to return to Alabama in 2016. Allen recorded 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries, and he led all defensive linemen with two defensive touchdowns. Oh, and he can literally fly ... just ask Trevor Knight.
Might Well Have Been OPOY With Those Moves Award -- Derrius Guice, RB, LSU: Leonard Fournette was supposed to be the star, but because of a nagging ankle injury, Guice filled in. And he filled in masterfully, ranking second in the SEC with 1,249 rushing yards. He also led the SEC in YPC (7.96) and rushing touchdowns (14) in just 11 games.
Somehow You Weren't A Jim Thorpe Award Finalist But Should Have Been Award -- Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama: Two of Fitzpatrick's interceptions went for touchdowns this season, giving him a school-record four for his career. I guess folks didn't notice that he also had five interceptions (tied for SEC lead) and defended 12 passes.
Quarterbacks Stopped Throwing At You So Everyone Forgot About You Award -- Teez Tabor, CB, Florida: Tabor had four interceptions through his first five games of the season, so quarterbacks stopped throwing his way as much. He still finished the season with nine passes defended and was one of the Gators best open-field tacklers.
Bret Bielema Was Totally Right About You Award -- Rawleigh Williams III, RB, Arkansas: Arkansas' head coach told me before the season that Williams would be a top-three running back this season. Well, Williams led the SEC with 1,326 rushing yards. So, well played, Bret.
That Kid's Gonna Be Good Award -- Nick Fitzgerald, QB, Mississippi State: You probably didn't even know Fitzgerald ranked third in the SEC in rushing (1,243) and tied for first in rushing touchdowns (14). He also threw for 2,200 yards and 21 more scores, so, yeah, he's gonna be pretty good.
You Should Have Been Moved To The NFC South Team of the Year Award -- Alabama: Alabama has won 25 straight games and beat 12 of its 13 opponents this season by double digits. Alabama outscored opponents by an average of 40.5 to 11.8. Alabama was second in the SEC in total offense and first nationally in total defense. Stop bullying everyone, Bama!
That Jacket Was So Fly Coach of the Year Award -- Derek Mason, Vanderbilt: Everyone in Nashville will be sporting one of those black Vanderbilt vests after the way Mason strutted and danced around in his after that thrilling 45-34 upset win against No. 17 Tennessee, which gave Vandy its first bowl berth since 2013. Vanderbilt is back in the house!
How You Like Me Now I'm Still Here Award -- Mark Stoops, Kentucky: We all thought his days were numbered after an 0-2 start that included a terrible loss to Southern Miss, but then Stoops engineered a tremendous resurgence in Lexington, as the Cats finished the season 7-5 and beat former playoff contender Louisville to close the regular season.
The Wow He Really Just Did That Comeback Coach of the Year Award -- Will Muschamp, South Carolina: Two years removed from being fired at Florida and a year removed from a less-than-stellar season as Auburn's offensive coordinator, Muschamp led South Carolina to a bowl game and a late SEC East push in his first year in Columbia. South Carolina won four of its last six, including a stunning 24-21 win against No. 18 Tennessee.
It's Pretty Incredible That He Came Back Like That Comeback Player of the Year Award -- Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia: Less than a year after suffering a devastating knee injury, Chubb rushed back to Week 1 with 222 yards and two touchdowns against North Carolina. After that, Chubb never truly looked like his old self, but he did finish the season with 988 yards and seven touchdowns. We're just glad he made it back and finished the season.
Champions of Life Award -- Tennessee: Hey, Tennessee might not have an East title, but Butch Jones proudly proclaimed that the Vols, who went 4-4 in SEC play after being the overwhelming favorite to win the SEC East, were Champions of Life away from the field this season. That's great, but you can't sell that to fans or your new administration. I don't think they make rings for that, either.
He Sure Can Kick That Thing Punter of the Year -- Johnny Townsend, Florida: Somehow, Townsend wasn't a Ray Guy Award finalist, yet he led the nation with an average of 48.05 yards per kick, he had a long of 62, 17 of his punts were fair caught, 25 were down inside the 20-yard line, 28 went 50-plus yards, and only 25 percent of his punts this season were returned.
He Sure Can Kick That Thing Accurately Place-Kicker of the Year -- Daniel Carlson, Auburn: The Lou Groza Award finalist made a nation-leading 26 of his 30 kicks, including 10 field goals of 40 yards or more. He's also made a school-record 140 straight extra points.
Godzilla Lifetime Achievement Award -- Ed Orgeron, LSU: The man from Louisiana went from interim head coach at LSU to full-time head coach this month. It's a dream come true for the Tigers' first coach without an accent.