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) looks to the sideline during the third quarter of the territorial cup against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats won 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

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

Awards: Rotary Lombardi Award, Dick Butkus Award

As a hybrid defensive lineman and linebacker, Scooby Wright has been the biggest overachiever by far of any college football player this year. This guy went from a tweener to leaping off the screen for anybody watching Pac-12 football. As a result, he deserves to be recognized as the best linebacker.

And his epic strip-sack against Oregon to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the year played a huge role in his winning this award. He comes through when it matters and has proven that height and size don’t mean everything.

Other Finalists: 

Eric Kendricks**, UCLA Bruins- 96 Tackles, 8.5 Tackles for a Loss, 2 Sacks, 3 Interceptions, 1 Forced Fumbles

Hau’oli Kikaha, Washington Huskies- 67 Tackles, 24 Tackles for a Loss, 18 Sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles

Denzel Perryman, Miami Hurricanes- 102 Tackles, 8.5 Tackles for a Loss, 2 Sacks, 1 Interception, 3 Forced Fumbles

Jake Ryan, Michigan Wolverines- 112 Tackles, 14 Tackles for a Loss, 2 Sacks, 1 Interception, 2 Forced Fumbles

Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame Fighting Irish- 102 Tackles, 8.5 Tackles for a Loss, 3 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble

*Winner of Rotary Lombardi Award

**Winner of Dick Butkus Award

Next: Most Outstanding Defensive Back