Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
IRVING, Texas -- Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder and Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins, who will be on opposing sides Saturday in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game, have been chosen as The American’s Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively, by the league’s 11 head coaches.
SMU kicker Chris Naggar was named The American’s Special Teams Player of the Year. A pair of freshman running backs – East Carolina’s Rahjai Harris and SMU’s Ulysses Bentley IV – were chosen as the conference’s Rookies of the Year. Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell was tabbed by his counterparts as The American’s Coach of the Year.