ASWA announce Back, Lineman of the Year finalists; 2 locals nominated
The Alabama Sports Writers Association Player of the Year conversation has begun, and a pair of local players are eager to hear what is said. Pinson Valley quarterback Bo Nix and Fultondale linebacker Ja’Len Sims are among the 48 finalists for back and lineman of the year.
These nominees are selected by a panel of sports writers from around the state. Each finalist is eligible to win the Mr. Football award which will be presented in Montgomery on Jan. 17.
Nix receives this news just one week after accepting first team All-State honors by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. He will vie with Austin running back Asa Martin and Wetumpka quarterback J.D. Martin for the Class 6A Back of the Year award.
In his first season piloting the Indians’ offense, Nix accounted for 41 total touchdowns: 36 of the passing variety and five more on the ground. Holding scholarship offers from virtually every major college football program, the 6-1 righty completed 62.9 percent of his passes this year, as Pinson Valley (15-0) marched on to the program’s first state championship. He finished with 2,870 yards passing to go with only four interceptions on over 300 attempts.
On Dec. 18 he took to Twitter, announcing his top three college football choices: Clemson, Auburn and Ohio State.
Following an 11-1 season with the Wildcats, Sims joins Piedmont defensive lineman Logan Beadles and Mobile Christian defensive lineman Andres Fox as Class 3A Lineman of the Year nominees.
At 220 pounds, Sims led Fultondale in tackles with 162. Exactly 70 of those stops came in solo fashion while 18 tackles went for negative yardage. The junior holds scholarship offers from Ole Miss, LSU and Auburn.
Sims was also recently announced as the lone Jefferson County representative on USA Today’s 2017 American Family Insurance ALL-USA Alabama Football Team. He is one of three linebackers to land first-team honors.
ASWA Player of the Year finalists:
CLASS 7A
Back of the Year
Ahmad Edwards, receiver, Thompson
Justyn Ross, receiver, Central-Phenix City
Taulia Tagovailoa, quarterback, Thompson
Lineman of the Year
Daevion Davis, defensive line, James Clemens
Mohamoud Diabate, defensive line, Auburn
Pierce Quick, offensive line, Hewitt-Trussville
CLASS 6A
Back of the Year
Asa Martin, running back, Austin
J.D. Martin, athlete, Wetumpka
y-Bo Nix, quarterback, Pinson Valley
Lineman of the Year
x-Marcus Jenkins, offensive line, Park Crossing
Alfred Thomas, defensive line, Sidney Lanier
Clay Webb, offensive line, Oxford
CLASS 5A
Back of the Year
Swift Lyle, quarterback, St. Paul’s
J.R. Tran-Reno, athlete, Briarwood Chr.
w-La’Damian Webb, running back, Beauregard
Lineman of the Year
Malik Langham, defensive line, Lee-Huntsville
Gabriel Russell, linebacker, Briarwood Chr.
Kameron Stutts, offensive line, Brooks
CLASS 4A
Back of the Year
Tucker Brown, quarterback, Wilson
Darius Nalls, receiver, Fayette Co.
Symon Smith, running back, UMS-Wright
Lineman of the Year
Russ Myers, linebacker, UMS-Wright
x-Riley Russell, linebacker, Cherokee Co.
Caleb Storie, linebacker, Rogers
CLASS 3A
Back of the Year
Austin Kinsey, running back, Clarke Co.
Cole Littleton, receiver, J.B. Pennington
Cardavion Myers, athete, Piedmont
Lineman of the Year
x-Logan Beadles, defensive line, Piedmont
Andres Fox, defensive line, Mobile Chr.
Ja’len Sims, linebacker, Fultondale
CLASS 2A
Back of the Year
Payton Anderson, running back, Fyffe
Jermaine Brown, athlete, St. Luke’s
Terrion Truitt, athlete, Lanett
Lineman of the Year
Parker Branch, linebacker, Horseshoe Bend
Baraskious Dowdell, defensive line, Lanett
John Karr, offensive line, Leroy
CLASS 1A
Back of the Year
Shamar Lewis, athlete, Sweet Water
Elliott Petty, receiver, Pickens County
Nathaniel Watson, athlete, Maplesville
Lineman of the Year
Timothy Bradley, linebacker, Maplesville
Lecedric Haynes, defensive line, Georgiana
x-Devin March, defensive line, Houston County
AISA
Back of the Year
Fred Flavors, athlete, Escambia Academy
Griffin McKenzie, quarterback, Monroe Academy
Cam O’ Neil, receiver, Glenwood School
Lineman of the Year
Jacob Diffley, defensive lineman, Bessemer Academy
Seth Fuller, offensive line, Tuscaloosa Academy
Trace Ott, offensive line, Autauga Academy
Erik Harris is the Sports Editor of The North Jefferson News. Email him at njnsports@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jeharris2.