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The 2023 Bannies: Men’s Award Nominations

Cast your vote for the 2023 Bannies!

By Bryson Turner, NicholasPorcelli, and Eric Lopez
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Military Bowl Presented by Peraton - UCF v Duke Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

The yearly tradition returns to the Black & Gold Banneret: the annual honors for UCF Knights Athletic performance and achievement known as The Black & Gold Banneret Awards — The Bannies.

Here’s how it works: We, the staff, put together our nominees for each award. Over the next couple of weeks, we will open fan voting for each award. Each staff member gets one vote, and the winner of the fan vote will get one vote. If there is a tie, the fan vote will be the tiebreaker. The polls will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on July 27. We will announce the winners after that date.

With all that in mind, below you will find the nominees for the Male award categories (and more). If you want a more in-depth breakdown of the nominees, watch the Bannie nomination show below, where the Banneret’s Eric Lopez, Bryson Turner, and Nick Porcelli do just that:

Happy Voting! Once you are done voting on these categories, check out the Male Award categories here.

Men’s Head Coach of the Year

  • Gus Malzahn (Football): 9-5 (6-2 AAC); Made AAC title game and Military Bowl; 9 All-AAC selections (5 first-team, 4 second-team)
  • Johnny Dawkins (Men’s Basketball): 19-15 (8-10 AAC); Made NIT 2nd-Round; 1 Second-Team All-AAC Selection, Unanimous All-Freshman Selection (Taylor Hendricks)
  • Bryce Wallor (Men’s Golf): 4 team Top 5 finishes, 1 team win, 1 individual win, two individual golfers make NCAA Regional; 2 All-AAC selections
  • John Roddick (Men’s Tennis): 11-12 (5-1 AAC); Make AAC Tournament Semifinal; Ranked #48 in the nation; 4 All-AAC selections (3 singles, 1 doubles pair)

Poll

Men’s Head Coach of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 70%
    Gus Malzahn
    (34 votes)
  • 14%
    Johnny Dawkins
    (7 votes)
  • 12%
    Bryce Wallor
    (6 votes)
  • 2%
    John Roddick
    (1 vote)
48 votes total Vote Now

Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year

  • Travis Williams (Football Defensive Coordinator): 5th in the nation in Red Zone Defense, 6 INTs, 12 Fumble Recoveries, 886 Tackles, 76 TFL, 22 Sacks, 52 pass breakups
  • Ted Tom (Baseball Hitting Coach): 109 Team HRs (Breaks program record by 31), .285 Team BA, Team .386 OBP, 389 RBIs, 1030 total bases (1st 1000+ season since 2011)
  • Kevin Norris (Men’s Basketball Assistant, Guards): Worked with Darius Johnson, CJ Kelly, Jayhlon Young, Tyem Freeman

Poll

Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 28%
    Travis Williams
    (12 votes)
  • 66%
    Ted Tom
    (28 votes)
  • 4%
    Kevin Norris
    (2 votes)
42 votes total Vote Now

Men’s Breakout Athlete of the Year

  • RJ Harvey (Football)

2021: Sat out with Injury

2022: 118 carries, 796 rushing yards, 5 TDs; 22 receptions, 215 receiving yards

  • Andrew Sundean (Baseball)

2021: Second-Team All-AAC; 43 G, 159 plate appearances, .348 BA, 47 hits, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 75 TB, 2 BB, 16 SO

2022: First-Team All-AAC; 52 G, 236 plate appearances, .340 BA, 69 hits, 16 HR, 54 RBI, 127 TB, 17 BB, 36 SO,

  • Bogdan Pavel (Men’s Tennis):

2021-22: 14-14 (Singles), 15-12 Doubles; Doubles All-AAC Selection

2022-23: 18-9 (Singles), 16-9 (Doubles); Singles and Doubles All-AAC Selection; Makes Sweet 16 of NCAA Doubles Championship

  • Luis Carrera (Men’s Golf):

2021-22: 73.88 Scoring Average; Highest Rank: 862; 3 Rounds in 60s; 8 Rounds Par or better; 1 Top 5, 4 Top 10, 4 Top 20

2022-23: 71.21 Scoring Average (6th-lowest Single-Season Average in program history); Highest Rank: 74; Made NCAA Regional as Individual, finishing T-27th overall; 12 Rounds in 60s; 22 Rounds Par or better; 1 win, 2 Top 5s, 1 Top 10, 3 Top 20s

Poll

Men’s Breakout Athlete of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 58%
    RJ Harvey
    (24 votes)
  • 24%
    Andrew Sundean
    (10 votes)
  • 9%
    Bogdan Pavel
    (4 votes)
  • 7%
    Luis Carrera
    (3 votes)
41 votes total Vote Now

Men’s Senior of the Year

  • Mauricio Villalobos (Men’s Soccer): Team captain for 3rd consecutive season; missed only 7 minutes all season, 5 assists, 1 goal, career-high 20 shots, career-high 10 Shots-on-goal
  • Isaiah Bowser (Football): 205 carries, 799 rushing yards, 16 rushing TDs (2nd-most in a single season in program history); 14 receptions, 185 receiving yards
  • Samuel Jackson (Football): Second-Team All-AAC, team captain
  • Bogdan Pavel (Men’s Tennis): 18-9 (Singles), 16-9 (Doubles); Singles and Doubles All-AAC Selection; Makes Sweet 16 of NCAA Doubles Championship
  • Ben McCabe (Baseball): Named All-American; Selected First-Team All-AAC; .371 BA, 83 hits, 19 HRs (2nd in single season in program history), 63 runs (T-9th in single-season in program history), 51 RBIs, 155 TBs (5th in single-season program history); Set program career home-run record; Drafted in 9th Round of MLB Draft by Rockies
  • Johnny Travale (Men’s Golf): 71.39 Scoring Average (9th-best single-season average in program history), Highest Rank: #113, Made NCAA Regional as Individual, finishing T-48th overall, 9 Rounds in 60s; 19 Rounds Par or better; 2 Top 5s, 2 Top 10s, 1 Top 20

Poll

Men’s Senior of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 0%
    Mauricio Villalobos
    (0 votes)
  • 20%
    Isaiah Bowser
    (9 votes)
  • 6%
    Sam Jackson
    (3 votes)
  • 69%
    Ben McCabe
    (30 votes)
  • 2%
    Johnny Travale
    (1 vote)
43 votes total Vote Now

Men’s Freshman of the Year

  • Juanvi Munoz (Men’s Soccer): All-AAC Rookie Team; Started all 13 games, 48 saves, 71.6 Save %, 1.46 goals-against average
  • Colton Boomer (Football): Took over as starting kicker, 14/15 FGs, 93.3 FG % (Led AAC), 43-yard long
  • Taylor Hendricks (Men’s Basketball): Selected 9th overall in NBA Draft; Second-Team All-AAC; Unanimous All-Freshman Selection; 515 points (9th-most in D1 era), 184/385 FGs, 61/155 3 PTs, 86/110 FTs, 237 rebounds, 31 steals and 59 blocks (T-7th most in single season in UCF history)
  • Yassine Dlimi (Men’s Tennis): AAC Freshman of the Year; 11-5 in Singles, 3-13 in Doubles
  • Drew Faurot (Baseball): Selected Freshman All-American; Unanimously selected to All-AAC Freshman Team; .252 BA, .341 OBP, 15 HR (UCF Freshman Record), 51 RBIs, 107 TB

Poll

Men’s Freshman of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 0%
    Juanvi Munoz
    (0 votes)
  • 20%
    Colton Boomer
    (9 votes)
  • 76%
    Taylor Hendricks
    (33 votes)
  • 0%
    Yassine Dlimi
    (0 votes)
  • 2%
    Drew Faurot
    (1 vote)
43 votes total Vote Now

Men’s Transfer of the Year

  • John Rhys Plumlee (Football and Baseball): From Ole Miss; 218/346, 63 completion %, 2,586 passing yards, 14 passing TDs, 159 carries, 862 rushing yards (Most in one season by QB in UCF history), 11 rushing TDs (T-9th in one season in UCF history); 58 Baseball games, .286 BA, .384 OBP, 10 HRs, 32 RBIs, 43 runs, 99 TB, 18 SB
  • Jason Johnson (Football): From Eastern Illinois; First-Team All-AAC; 126 total tackles (9th-most in single season in program history), 4 TFLs, 1 sack
  • Javon Baker (Football): From Alabama; 56 receptions, 796 yards (Led Team), 5 TDs
  • CJ Kelly (Men’s Basketball): From UMass; 453 points, 143-319 FGs, 67-173 3PTs, 100-123 FTs, 121 rebounds, 95 assists, 22 blocks, 50 steals
  • Najer Victor (Baseball): From FGCU; 23 appearances, 34.1 IP, 3-1, 2.88 ERA, 50 SOs

Poll

Men’s Transfer of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 69%
    John Rhys Plumlee
    (32 votes)
  • 21%
    Jason Johnson
    (10 votes)
  • 6%
    Javon Baker
    (3 votes)
  • 2%
    CJ Kelly
    (1 vote)
  • 0%
    Najer Victor
    (0 votes)
46 votes total Vote Now

Men’s Game of the Year

Poll

Men’s Game of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 47%
    Football vs Cincy
    (23 votes)
  • 16%
    Football vs Tulane
    (8 votes)
  • 29%
    Basketball vs Memphis
    (14 votes)
  • 6%
    Baseball’s Game 1 vs. Clemson
    (3 votes)
  • 0%
    Baseball’s Eight Home Rn Performance against North Florida
    (0 votes)
48 votes total Vote Now

Men’s Individual Performance of the Year

  • John Rhys Plumlee vs. Tulane (Regular Season): 17/30, 132 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 91.9 QBR; 18 carries, 176 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs
  • Taylor Hendricks vs. Oklahoma State: 16 Pts, 5-8 FG, 3-4 3PTs, 3-3 FTs, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block
  • CJ Kelly vs. ECU: 30 Pts, 9-13 FG, 4-6 3PTs, 8-10 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
  • Lex Boedicker vs. North Florida: 3-4, 7 RBIs, 1 HBP, 3 HRs (Ties Program Single-Game Record)
  • Luis Carrera at Hartford Hawks Invitational: Won Individual title by 5 strokes with 200 (-16), tying the program’s 54-hole record

Poll

Men’s Individual Performance of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 40%
    John Rhys Plumlee vs. Tulane
    (18 votes)
  • 22%
    Taylor Hendricks vs. Oklahoma State
    (10 votes)
  • 15%
    CJ Kelly vs. ECU
    (7 votes)
  • 11%
    Lex Boedicker vs. North Florida
    (5 votes)
  • 11%
    Luis Carrera at Hartford Hawks Invitational
    (5 votes)
45 votes total Vote Now

Men’s Play of the Year

  • Lucca Dourado’s golazo vs. Charlotte (Men’s Soccer):
  • John Rhys Plumlee’s 67-yard TD run vs. Tulane (Football)
  • Holy Holler: Alec hauls in the game-winning TD with one hand at USF (Football):
  • John Rhys Plumlee’s HR robbery vs. Clemson (Baseball):
  • Taylor Hendricks’ chases down and blocks a dunk vs. Florida (Men’s Basketball):

Poll

Men’s Play of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 2%
    Lucca Dourado’s goal vs. Charlotte
    (1 vote)
  • 8%
    John Rhys Plumlee’s 67-yard TD run vs. Tulane
    (4 votes)
  • 68%
    Holly Holler vs. USF
    (31 votes)
  • 8%
    John Rhys Plumlee’s HR robbery vs. Clemson
    (4 votes)
  • 11%
    Taylor Hendricks’ Block vs. Florida
    (5 votes)
45 votes total Vote Now

Male Athlete of the Year

  • Lucca Dourado (Men’s Soccer): First-Team All-AAC; 985 minutes, 11 goals, 42 Shots, 21 Shots on goal
  • John Rhys Plumlee (Football and Baseball): 218/346, 63 completion %, 2,586 passing yards, 14 passing TDs, 159 carries, 862 rushing yards (Most in one season by QB in UCF history), 11 rushing TDs (T-9th in one season in UCF history); 58 Baseball games, .286 BA, .384 OBP, 10 HRs, 32 RBIs, 43 runs, 99 TB, 18 SB
  • Taylor Hendricks (Men’s Basketball): Selected 9th overall in NBA Draft; Second-Team All-AAC; 515 points (9th-most in D1 era), 184/385 FGs, 61/155 3 PTs, 86/110 FTs, 237 rebounds, 31 steals and 59 blocks (T-7th most in single-season in program history)
  • Ben McCabe (Baseball): Named All-American; Selected First-Team All-AAC; .371 BA, 83 hits, 19 HRs (2nd in single season in program history), 63 runs (T-9th in single-season in program history), 51 RBIs, 155 TBs (5th in single-season program history); Set program career home-run record; Drafted in 9th Round of MLB Draft by Rockies
  • Bogdan Pavel (Men’s Tennis): 18-9 (Singles), 16-9 (Doubles); Singles and Doubles All-AAC Selection; Makes Sweet 16 of NCAA Doubles Championship
  • Luis Carrera (Men’s Golf): 71.21 Scoring Average (6th-lowest Single-Season Average in program history); Highest Rank: 74; Made NCAA Regional as Individual, finishing T-27th overall; 12 Rounds in 60s; 22 Rounds Par or better; 1 win, 2 Top 5s, 1 Top 10, 3 Top 20s

Poll

Men’s Athlete of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 2%
    Lucca Dourado
    (1 vote)
  • 41%
    John Rhys Plumlee
    (17 votes)
  • 31%
    Taylor Hendricks
    (13 votes)
  • 21%
    Ben McCabe
    (9 votes)
  • 0%
    Bogdan Pavel
    (0 votes)
  • 2%
    Luis Carrera
    (1 vote)
41 votes total Vote Now

Men’s Team of the Year

Football - 9-5 (6-2 AAC); Make AAC Title Game and Military Bowl; 9 All-AAC Selections

Men’s Basketball - 19-15 (8-10 AAC); Makes NIT 2nd-Round; 1 Second-Team All-AAC Selection, Unanimous All-Freshman Selection (Taylor Hendricks)

Poll

Men’s Team of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 84%
    Football
    (37 votes)
  • 15%
    Men’s Basketball
    (7 votes)
44 votes total Vote Now

Alumni of the Year

  • Sean Johnson (MLS and US Men’s National Team): Selected to US Men’s National Team for 2022 FIFA World Cup, CONCACAF Nations League and CONCACAF Gold Cup; 2022 season: 34 G, 3,060 minutes 82 saves, 66.7 save %, helped NYCFC to Eastern conference finals; 2023 season so far: Signed 2-year deal with Toronto FC, 18 G, 1,620 minutes, 47 saves, 69.1 save %,
  • Gabe Davis (NFL, Buffalo Bills): 48 receptions on 93 targets, 836 receiving yards, 7 TDs
  • Latavius Murray (NFL, Saints and Broncos): 171 carries, 760 rushing yards, 6 rushing TDs; 27 receptions, 132 receiving yards; Inducted into UCF Athletics Hall of Fame
  • Ritchie Grant (NFL, Atlanta Falcons): 123 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 2 INTs, 7 passes defended
  • Dylan Moore (MLB, Mariners): 2022 season: 205 ABs, 41 runs, 6 HRs, 34 RBIs, 21 SB, .224 BA, helped Mariners get to the postseason for 1st time since 2001; 2023 season so far: Signed a 3-year extension with Mariners, 27 ABs, 3 runs, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .037 BA
  • Mattie Rogers (Weightlifting): Won gold medal in 76 kg weight class in 2022 Pan American Championships; Won silver medal in 76 kg weight class in 2022 World Weightlifting Championships; 4th place at 2023 Pan American Championships in 81 kg weight class
  • Alea White (NCAA Softball): Assistant Coach for NCAA D2 Softball National Champion West Georgia
  • Ben Lively (MLB, Reds): Returns to MLB for 1st time since 2019; 10 G, 8 GS, 51.2 IP, 4-5, 3.83 ERA, 8.7 K/9

Poll

Alumni of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 21%
    Sean Johnson
    (9 votes)
  • 47%
    Gabe Davis
    (20 votes)
  • 9%
    Latavius Murray
    (4 votes)
  • 7%
    Ritchie Grant
    (3 votes)
  • 0%
    Dylan Moore
    (0 votes)
  • 7%
    Mattie Rogers
    (3 votes)
  • 2%
    Alea White
    (1 vote)
  • 4%
    Ben Lively
    (2 votes)
42 votes total Vote Now

Comeback Athlete of the Year

  • RJ Harvey (Football): Came back from torn ACL in 2021; 118 carries, 796 rushing yards, 5 TDs; 22 receptions, 215 receiving yards
  • Mia Asenjo (Women’s Soccer): Came back from Torn ACL; 1,181 minutes, Unanimously selected to AAC All-Rookie Team, 26 shots, 8 shots-on-goal.
  • Anique Kattenberg (Women’s Tennis): Came back from broken foot; stepped in when other UCF Women’s players went down with injury; 5-singles match winning streak to end season, 6-1 in Singles, 4-3 in Doubles, 3-1 in fall doubles tournaments
  • Bogdan Pavel (Men’s Tennis): Came back from fall wrist injury; 18-9 (Singles), 16-9 (Doubles); Singles and Doubles All-AAC Selection; Makes Sweet 16 of NCAA Doubles Championship
  • Nick Romano (Baseball): Came back from torn ACL; Started 57 games, .319 BA, .402 OBP, 10 HRs, 41 RBIs, 113 TB, 23 BB

Poll

Comeback Player of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 76%
    RJ Harvey
    (32 votes)
  • 4%
    Mia Asenjo
    (2 votes)
  • 2%
    Anique Kattenberg
    (1 vote)
  • 0%
    Bogdan Pave
    (0 votes)
  • 16%
    Nick Romano
    (7 votes)
42 votes total Vote Now

Moment of the Year

  • Women’s Soccer Winning First AAC Regular Season Title since 2017
  • Volleyball Beating Houston to Win at least share of its 5th straight AAC Title
  • Cindy Ball-Malone’s Fist-Pump Following a Double-Play in Softball’s Game Against Memphis in the AAC Tournament
  • Taylor Hendricks Gets Selected 9th Overall by the Utah Jazz win the NBA Draft
  • John Rhys Plumlee’s Doubleheader (Playing in a Baseball game against Memphis and the Spring Football Game in the same day)

Poll

UCF Athletics’ Moment of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 4%
    Women’s Soccer Winning First AAC Regular Season Title since 2017
    (2 votes)
  • 6%
    Volleyball Beating Houston to Win the AAC Title
    (3 votes)
  • 6%
    Cindy Ball-Malone’s Fist-Pump Following a Double-Play in Softball’s Game Against Memphis in the AAC Tournament
    (3 votes)
  • 54%
    Taylor Hendricks Gets Selected 9th Overall by the Utah Jazz win the NBA Draft
    (24 votes)
  • 27%
    John Rhys Plumlee’s Doubleheader
    (12 votes)
44 votes total Vote Now

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