College football awards salute the best players of the 2025 season with 22 honors being handed out tonight on ESPN. The Home Depot College Football Awards show airs at 7 p.m. ET Friday night, featuring major award announcements. Jacob Rodriguez from Texas Tech is being honored twice, making tonight especially significant for the Red Raiders linebacker.
🔥 Quick Facts
- 22 awards will be presented live on ESPN starting at 7 p.m. ET
- Jacob Rodriguez wins both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Butkus Award
- Makai Lemon of USC wins the Biletnikoff Award for best receiver
- Fernando Mendoza of Indiana wins the Davey O’Brien Award as nation’s top QB
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Tonight marks a major night for college football’s elite performers. The Home Depot College Football Awards show will broadcast all 22 awards in a single presentation on ESPN. Major honors being announced include the Maxwell Award for player of the year and Heisman Trophy finalists recognition. The ceremony brings together the nation’s best defensive players, quarterbacks, receivers, and special teams contributors.
The show kicks off at 7 p.m. ET and runs through 9 p.m. ET. ESPN will also provide live streaming through the Fubo platform for fans wanting to watch online. This year’s ceremony celebrates an exceptional season of college football with unprecedented depth at multiple positions.
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Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez becomes one of the night’s biggest winners with two major awards. The senior linebacker earned the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for the nation’s top defensive player. Rodriguez led FBS with seven forced fumbles during the 2025 season. His performance marked one of the most dominant defensive seasons in recent memory.
Beyond the Nagurski Trophy, Rodriguez also claimed the Butkus Award, making him the first Texas Tech linebacker to win this prestigious honor. This dual recognition underscores his elite status as a defensive force. Rodriguez’s coaches praised his consistency and game-changing impact throughout the season. The recognition elevates Texas Tech football into national conversations about defensive excellence.
Top Award Winners Announced Tonight
| Award Name | Winner | School |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy | Jacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech |
| Butkus Award | Jacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech |
| Biletnikoff Award | Makai Lemon | USC |
| Davey O’Brien Award | Fernando Mendoza | Indiana |
Makai Lemon of USC captured the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver. Lemon recorded 1,156 receiving yards during the season and becomes only the second Trojan to win this honor. Lemon won out over finalists Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State and Skylar Bell of UConn.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza earned the Davey O’Brien Award, becoming Indiana’s inaugural winner of this quarterback honor. This recognition marks a historic moment for the Hoosiers program. Mendoza’s ascent reflects Indiana’s remarkable offensive turnaround during the 2025 season.
How to Watch Tonight’s Complete Awards Ceremony
Fans can catch all 22 awards live on ESPN starting at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 12. The Home Depot College Football Awards show will run for approximately two hours. Streaming options are available through Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
The ceremony celebrates the 2025 college football season with unprecedented recognition for individual excellence. Major networks will provide real-time coverage and analysis following each award announcement. This event ranks among the most significant moments in the college football calendar, recognizing players who dominated their respective positions throughout the entire season.
Why These Awards Matter for College Football’s Elite Performers?
College football awards serve as the sport’s premier individual honors, separate from the Heisman Trophy. These 22 awards recognize specialists across both sides of the ball—offensive linemen, defensive ends, safeties, kickers, and specialists. Jacob Rodriguez’s dual honors demonstrate how elite seasons can result in multiple major recognitions.
Winning multiple awards like Rodriguez’s feat shows exceptional dominance that transcends normal expectations. Other winners like Lemon and Mendoza follow similar patterns of overwhelming excellence. These honors influence NFL draft evaluations and cement legacies for players entering professional careers. Tonight’s ceremony will be remembered for recognizing the true kings of college football in 2025.
Sources
- ESPN – Official College Football Awards Show broadcast information
- Texas Tech Athletics – Jacob Rodriguez award announcements and stats
- USA Today Sports – Live updates and winner coverage
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.