Saturday Blitz 2014 College Football Awards: Marcus Mariota, Scooby Wright Lead the Pack

Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats defeated the Sun Devils 42-35 to win the Pac-12 south title. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Scooby Wright III*, Linebacker, Arizona Wildcats- 89 Tackles, 27 Tackles for a Loss, 14 Sacks, 6 Forced Fumbles

Awards: Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy 

Nobody on defense has Scooby Wright’s case to be the top defensive player in the country. Wright showed he could line up at multiple positions and make a difference either way, whether is was playing linebacker or defensive end. And this is an incredible story for somebody considered too undersized to play end and to big for linebacker.

Wright has been dominant all year, making all the plays on defense for the Wildcats that won them the Pac-12 South. As a result, he is the clear-cut top defensive player of the year. He consistently leaped off the television screen making plays, and that was never more true than in Arizona’s huge upset over Oregon.

Other Finalists:

Vic Beasley, Defensive End, Clemson Tigers- 29 Tackles, 18.5 Tacles for a Loss, 11 Sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles, 1 Fumble Returned for Touchdown

Joey Bosa, Defensive End, Ohio State Buckeyes- 34 Tackles, 20 Tackles for a Loss, 13.5 Sacks, 4 Forced Fumbles, 1 Fumble Returned for a Touchdown

*Winner of Nagurski Award

Next: Most Outstanding Player