The end of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show had a surprise plot twist Thursday night.
Alabama's AJ McCarron won the evening's final honor, the Maxwell Award, which is given to the best player. Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston had won the Davey O'Brien award, which goes to the best quarterback, over Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel and McCarron earlier in the evening.
Winston also won the Walter Camp Award.
McCarron is the first Alabama player to win the award. Perhaps it's a lifetime achievement one? Even McCarron himself was surprised that he was on stage and the Maxwell recipient.
QB AJ McCarron (@10AJMcCarron) becomes the first @AlabamaFTBL player to ever win the #MaxwellAward
— Maxwell Award (@TheMaxwellAward) December 13, 2013
Last year, the Maxwell was given to Manti Te'o, while Manziel won the Davey O'Brien Award and the Heisman Trophy. Winston, a redshirt freshman, is widely expected to be the recipient of the Heisman Trophy.
No freshman has ever won the Maxwell Award. Pitt DL Aaron Donald won four big awards, including three Thursday night. Donald won the Lombardi, Bednarik, Outland and Bronko Nagurski awards.
Tulane's Devon Walker, who was paralyzed making a tackle last season, was the Disney Spirit Award recipient. Eric LeGrand, who suffered a spinal cord injury playing for Rutgers, was one of the first people to congratulate him.
Congrats Devon Walker, well deserved — Eric LeGrand (@EricLeGrand52) December 13, 2013
Here's the entire list of winners:
Home Depot (coach of the year): Gus Malzahn, Auburn
Walter Camp Award (player of the year): Jameis Winston, Florida State
Maxwell Award (outstanding player): AJ McCarron, Alabama
Davey O'Brien (best quarterback): Jameis Winston, Florida State
Doak Walker (best running back): Andre Williams, Boston College
Thorpe (best defensive back): Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
Bednarik (defensive player of the year): Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm (outstanding senior): AJ McCarron, Alabama
Biletnikoff (best receiver): Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
John Mackey (best tight end): Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington
Outland (best interior lineman): Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
Lombardi (best lineman): Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
Rimington Trophy (best center): Bryan Stork, Florida State
Bronko Nagurski (best defensive player): Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
Butkus (best linebacker): CJ Mosley, Alabama
Ted Hendricks (best defensive end): Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
Lou Groza (best placekicker): Roberto Aguayo, Florida State
Ray Guy (best punter): Tom Hornsey, Memphis
Campbell Trophy (top-scholar athlete): John Urschel, Penn State
Broyles (top assistant coach): Pat Narduzzi, Michigan State
Disney Spirit Award (most inspiration player): Devon Walker, Tulane
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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