With the season's kickoff just days away, it's time to step back and celebrate the players, coaches, color and pageantry of college football. Who are the players to know? Where are the places to be? The ninth annual Herbie Awards presentation answers those questions and more.
This list tackles the top playmakers, the defensive difference-makers, the fresh faces on the scene, the student sections that roar and everything else that's great about college football. Herbies are given to the best college football players, coaches, teams and fans across the nation.
Also, this is just my list. These are my choices, and not everyone will agree. That's the beauty of it. Let the second-guessing begin.
So, without further ado, here are the ninth annual Herbie Awards:
BORN TO RUN: BEST RUNNING BACKS
OFF AND RUNNING: READY TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
CATCH A RISING STAR: TOP WIDE RECEIVERS
THE HOGMOLLIES: BEST IN THE TRENCHES
END GAME: TOP TIGHT ENDS
QUARTERBACKS: POCKET PRESENCE
QUARTERBACKS: DUAL THREAT
ANTICIPATION: TOP FIRST-YEAR QB STARTERS
OFF THE EDGE: BEST DEFENSIVE ENDS
NOWHERE TO RUN: TOP DEFENSIVE TACKLES
INSIDE EDITION: TOP INSIDE LINEBACKERS
OUTSIDE EDGE: BEST OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
CORNERING THE MARKET: TOP CORNERBACKS
SAFETY DANCE: NATION'S BEST SAFETIES
RETURN ENGAGEMENT: TOP RETURN MEN
FRESH APPROACH: TOP TRUE FRESHMEN
REMEMBER ME: HOUSEHOLD NAMES BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER
RODNEY DANGERFIELDS: PLAYERS WHO DON'T GET ENOUGH RESPECT
TEAMS ON THE MOVE
MARK IT DOWN: CONFERENCE PICKS
UP AND COMING ASSISTANTS AND COORDINATORS
HEAD COACHES IN WAITING
ALL-UNI TEAM: WHAT A COLLEGE TEAM SHOULD LOOK LIKE
STUDENT BODY RIGHT: BEST STUDENT SECTIONS
ROAD TRIP: SITES GAMEDAY MUST GET TO
Kirk Herbstreit is an analyst on ESPN's "College GameDay."