:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4167454/126297678.jpg)
College football season hasn't begun yet, but we're getting close to the start of the 2012 campaign and that means that it's time to speculate over the end of the season's awards! Watch lists have started to be released for the 2012 year, and unsurprisingly there are a lot of Ohio State names in the mix.
Monday saw the release of the Maxwell (Best overall player in the country) and Bednarik (Best defensive player) award watch lists, with a handful of Buckeyes in the mix:
BEDNARIK AWARD:
DT Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State
DE John Simon, Ohio State
MAXWELL AWARD:
QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State
Of course, it's only speculation on these lists and players can easily win the awards even when they're not on them. Still, Ohio State having a few names thrown into the discussion of the best players in college football won't hurt them at all.
More lists will continue to be released as July goes along.
For more on the Ohio State Buckeyes, head over to Land-Grant Holy Land. More news and analysis on the world of College Football can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NCAA Football Hub.