The Southeastern Conference proved once again to be the premier football conference in the nation. With teams chock-full of talent across both sides of the conference, choosing the best of the best was quite difficult.
But with half of the season already gone, it is time to hand out awards to the star performers this season.
Overall MVP: Dak Prescott, QB
Probably the easiest choice of the bunch, Prescott is performing like the best player in the nation, not just the SEC. He’s currently the front-runner to win the Heisman Trophy. At SEC Media Days in July, many writers picked Prescott to have a breakout season, but I doubt any of them saw this coming.
The Louisiana-native has led the No. 1 team in the nation to an undefeated season so far, beating LSU in Baton Rouge in the process.
Prescott has passed for 1694 yards at a 60 percent completion rate, while throwing for three times as many touchdowns as interceptions. He’s combined an improved throwing arm with his already impressive running talent. The junior quarterback looks like a power running back and has rushed for 10 touchdowns — tied for the team lead.
If Georgia running back Todd Gurley hadn’t been suspended for signing autographs for money — how dare he use his name to make money — it might be a closer decision. But with the NCAA keeping Gurley suspended for an additional two games, this decision was easy.
Offensive MVP: Amari Cooper, WR
The junior wide receiver reminds me of a blend of current NFL receiver A.J. Green and and former Alabama great Julio Jones.
He doesn’t have quite the height of the aforementioned studs, but Cooper makes up for it with explosive speed and leaping ability. Couple those traits with top-notch hands, crisp route running and a lanky frame, and you have the prototypical NFL receiver. Cooper will be dominating Sundays soon.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Cooper’s season so far is that teams know what’s coming. Alabama’s opponents know Cooper is a stud, but for the most part, just haven’t been able to stop him. In Alabama’s two worst games this season — the loss to Ole Miss and the narrow win against Arkansas — Cooper tallied 11 catches and 113 yards. Or two more catches and 111 fewer yards than he accumulated in the Tide’s romp over Tennessee.
If LSU can slow down Cooper in its upcoming matchup with the Crimson Tide, it has a chance at its second straight upset.
Defensive MVP: Cody Prewitt, S
Prewitt has been the emotional and statistical leader of a defense that has been arguably the best in the nation so far this season.
The senior safety is averaging five tackles per game and has proven his ball-hawking ability on several occasions — most notably against Texas A&M when he took an interception to the house for a 75-yard touchdown.
In the Rebel’s biggest win this season — the 23-17, last-second victory against Alabama — Prewitt had perhaps his best game of the season. He produced seven solo tackles, eight total tackles and a pass breakup.
Barring injury, Prewitt should be selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft and the first safety taken off the board.
You can reach Trey Labat on Twitter @treylabat_TDR.