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.