RB Tyler Kuhn - Minnesota Serpents
STATS: 21 Rushing Touchdowns (1st), 1st in Rushing Yards
Kuhn has been a rising star for the Serpents over the last couple of seasons and after a fully healthy season, he has broken through as one of the league’s best running backs. He managed to eclipse 20 touchdowns on the season while leading the league in rushing yards. It certainly helps being in such a run-heavy offence, but he is the main reason they are.
QB Louis Vaughn - Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
STATS: 27 Passing Touchdowns (2nd), 2nd In Passing Yards
Vaughn has continued to prove to the rest of the NAAF that he is at the top of his game right now. His 27 passing touchdowns along with the 2nd most passing yards, were only second to division rival QB Buck Murphy. However, Vaughn was much better when protecting the football, only throwing 12 interceptions to Murphy’s 22, as well as having his output despite missing several of his starting WRs for portions of the season.
DL Bartolo Cruz - Providence Gold Stars
STATS: 1st in Sacks, 4 Forced Fumbles
Cruz had a fantastic career-defining season. On the D-line, he was a nuisance to every QB in the league. It was a rarity if Cruz didn’t reach the QB at some point during a game this season. He earned 2 Player of the Week nods this season. He was a constant force that made offences uneasy when going up against the Gold Stars and may have been one of the biggest factors to the team’s #1 defence this season. On top of everything, he led the league in QB pressures and tackles for loss.
Offensive Player of the Year
WR Casey Coleman - Louisville Thunder
STATS: 15 Receiving Touchdowns (1st), 1st in Receiving Yards
For the 2nd year in a row, Casey Coleman proved that he is one of if not the best WR in the NAAF. He tore up the field making catch after catch and scoring touchdown after touchdown. Coleman was in the MOP conversation but was left on the ballot, barely.
RB Tyler Kuhn - Minnesota Serpents
STATS: 21 Rushing Touchdowns (1st), 1st in Rushing Yards
Kuhn, as mentioned before, is a rising star, with an electric rushing attack. Kuhn became the beating heart of the Serpents’ offence this season en route to leading the league in both major rushing categories.
QB Louis Vaughn - Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
STATS: 27 Passing Touchdowns (T-2nd), 2nd in Passing Yards
Vaughn’s poised performance this season has led the Blacksmiths to the top of the league. His ability to make something happen despite missing several key weapons throughout the season has thrown him to the top of the league in his performance this season despite finishing behind QB Buck Murphy in both passing categories.
QB Kevin Westwood - Vancouver Wolves
STATS: 27 Passing Touchdowns (T-2nd), 4th in Passing Yards
Westwood has had some ups and downs this season, but when he has been up, Westwood has been one of the best QBs in the league. He earned himself 2 Player of the Week nods this season to go along with 27 passing touchdowns. He led the way for the Wolves who snuck into the playoffs on the final day of the season.
Defensive Players of the Year
DB Sergio Alvarez - Ottawa Royals
STATS: 10 Interceptions (T-1st), 1 Defensive Touchdown
Right with Falkner at the top of the interception charts was Royals corner DB Sergio Alvarez. Alvarez has continued to prove that he is the next superstar at the position, and with a completely healthy season has solidified himself as that next star.
DL Bartolo Cruz - Providence Gold Stars
STATS: 1st in Sacks, 4 Forced Fumbles
As mentioned before, Cruz had a stellar performance throughout the season. His rushing attack was nearly impossible to stop as he ended up with the most QB pressures and sacks throughout the season. He also led the way in tackles for loss, finding a way to ball carriers before they even got out of the backfield.
LB Kurt Warlock - Providence Gold Stars
STATS: 1st in Tackles, 6 Forced Fumbles
A regular DPOY nominee and last year’s winner, Warlock is back again with a fantastic season. He dominated once again to lead the league in tackles, on top of having 6 forced fumbles. The beating heart of the Gold Stars’ defence is again proving that he is the best in the league at what he does.
DL Butcher Callahan - Regina Wheat Kings
STATS: 2nd in League in Sacks, 2 Safeties, 6 Forced Fumbles
Callahan, as a rookie, burst onto the scene and immediately made a name for himself. Some may argue he might have been MOP-worthy without DL Bartolo Cruz’s performance. Callahan became one of the biggest factors in the Wheat Kings' defence and caused a lot of issues for teams this season. Callahan also scored 2 safeties this season to add to his stellar rookie performance.
Special Teams Player of the Year
K Albert Wickerweaver - Halifax Mariners
Despite a tough season for the Mariners, Wickerweaver was always reliable for the team and managed to keep them in games throughout the season. Wickerweaver was also the long kicker to earn a Player of the Week nod this season after hitting 6 field goals in a win over the London Tigers.
K Ray Bough - Minnesota Serpents
Ray Bough has been a great kicker for the Serpents continuing to prove it this season. Bough didn’t have a big performance like Wickerweaver, but he was still consistent and a big part of a successful Minnesota team.
K Sterling Brooks - Vancouver Wolves
Early on it was clear that Brooks was going to be a front runner for the STPOY award as he was leading the league by 10 field goals at one point this season. While his production did slip in the second half of the season, although for the team that was due to more touchdowns being scored, Brooks remained a reliable and productive scorer for the Wolves this season.
Offensive Lineman of the Year
OL Carlton Vanderbilt - Boston Independents
Vanderbilt is only in his 3rd season in the NAAF, but the young lineman has made a strong impact already. Vanderbilt’s well-rounded ability to block in both passing and rushing has made him a valuable piece for the Independents who sport both a good passing and rushing attack. Vanderbilt let one of the fewest pressures on his QB Nathaniel Braddock and opened the way for RB Reggie Whitehead throughout the season.
OL Elias McCarren - Minnesota Serpents
McCarren remains a sturdy leader for the Serpents. His technical skills make him one of the league's best and most consistent blockers. When he wasn’t opening up holes and blocking downhill for RB Tyler Kuhn, McCarren was a wall in protecting the young QB Martin Keller.
OL Erik Nelson - Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
The former 1st overall pick proved just why he was taken for Pittsburgh’s first-ever draft selection. Last season, Nelson provided a lot of help to a lacklustre backfield that got boosted by the star’s physicality. With RB Max Tracy there this season, the run game was miles better with Nelson leading the charge. He also continued to be a perfect protector for QB Louis Vaughn.
Coach of the Year
HC Malachi Knowles - Montreal Rouge - Record: 12-2
The last time Knowles coached a team was only a couple of years ago in 1969, when he led the Louisville Thunder to an 0-12 season. The disappointing season certainly hurt Knowles’ reputation, but this season, Knowles completely redeemed himself, earning each and every one of those 12 games back with a 12-win season in Montreal. Knowles’ “QB Whisperer” moniker returned as well as he rejuvenated veteran QB Gene Bishop’s career after he had been struggling for the last couple of seasons. An all-around huge bounce-back year for Knowles.
HC Ted McMahon - Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - Record: 12-2
In McMahon’s career coaching the Blacksmiths, one thing has been a constant, and that is a steady improvement with each season. Yes, the first couple of seasons in Pittsburgh were not pretty, but he has continued to improve the team to make the playoffs and the final four in back-to-back seasons. Now, he has led the team to a league-best 12-2 season, earning the #1 seed and Pittsburgh’s first home playoff game in the NAAF. McMahon’s offensive mind has been one of the best in the league and was on full display with and without star players in the lineup. Another great season by a great coach.
HC Tommie Warner - Providence Gold Stars - Record: 11-3
Warner returns as a nominee for Coach of the Year. Warner continued to work on the already strong defence and helped its stars to become super this season. Two of his players had DPOY-level seasons with several others in All-Star consideration. Warner has completely turned the Gold Stars’ fortunes around and has made them into a defensive powerhouse that looks to be dominant over the next several seasons with their young QB Red King only getting better.
Rookie of the Year
WR Ben Graham - Louisville Thunder
STATS: 8 Receiving Touchdowns (1st among Rookies), 1 Kick Return Touchdown
WR Lloyd Lane took a step back this season and in his place rose a new star in WR Ben Graham. Graham’s quickness and deep threat ability made him an instant star for the Thunder. On top of being a top WR on offence, Graham was also a key factor on special teams, being the team’s primary kick returner. A great all-around season from Graham in his first in the NAAF.
WR Antonio Villanueva - Montreal Rouge
STATS: 6 Receiving Touchdowns (2nd among Rookies), 1st among Rookies in Receiving Yards
Villanueva became a massive part of Montreal’s offensive resurgence. He was a master of picking up yards after the catch, leading rookies in receiving yards this season. His ability to escape dire situations was his biggest impact and while he didn’t get into the endzone as frequently as he hoped, he is only in his first season and looked to be the next big star for the Rouge.
DL Butcher Callahan - Regina Wheat Kings
STATS: 2nd in League in Sacks, 2 Safeties, 6 Forced Fumbles
Callahan’s rookie season is one that will be remembered for his ability to make just about anything happen on defence. He was constantly in the backfield and all over the opposing team’s QB. His 6 forced fumbles and 2 safeties pair nicely with the 2nd most sacks in the whole league. Callahan proved that he is a star for the future.
Breakout Player of the Year
DB Davey Woods - Minnesota Serpents
STATS: 5 Interceptions, 2 Defensive Touchdowns
Woods has been in the NAAF for some time now, but this season he stepped up as one of the top guys on his team. He would pick up a career-high 5 interceptions, bringing 2 of them back for touchdowns. Woods also continued to improve on his ability to stick with guys and was able to lock down a couple of receivers this season.
DL Alan Franjkovic - Montreal Rouge
STATS: 5 Forced Fumbles
Franjkovic has slowly developed into a star for the Rouge on the D-line. The former 2nd Round Pick as blossomed into a powerful edge rusher. He had very solid numbers this season, though still behind that of the top guys in the league, but it was a breakout season to show the league that Franjkovic is here to stay.
WR Matthew de la Cruz - Ottawa Royals
STATS: 5 Receiving Touchdowns
De la Cruz was officially a rookie last season, but it was his second year where he showed that he could be a starting WR in the NAAF. He found the endzone 5 times this season and came 2nd in receiving yards on the Royals this season. His strong performance couldn’t have come at a better time for the WR who is looking to get a big-boy contract this offseason.
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