Florida State star running back Dalvin Cook wasn't among three finalists selected for the Doak Walker Award on Tuesday, which goes to the nation's top running back.
But while Cook is a spectacular talent with as bright a future as there is at the position, resist the temptation to classify his absence from the list as a snub. Only three finalists were chosen: LSU's Leonard Fournette, Stanford's Christian McCaffrey and Alabama's Derrick Henry. Like Cook, all three have been a centerpiece offensive presence for their respective teams. Like Cook, they've all eclipsed 1,000 yards for the year.
The snub label is best reserved for someone clearly more deserving than someone who wasn't snubbed. In this case, Cook doesn't qualify, because the finalists each have as much claim to the award as does Cook. Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright getting left out of the Butkus Award running last year? That was a snub.
Cook? Save your outrage.
Here is a look at the finalists announced Tuesday for some of college football's other individual awards:
Maxwell Award (top player): Alabama RB Derrick Henry, Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey, Clemson QB Deshaun Watson.
Biletnikoff Award (top receiver): Baylor WR Corey Coleman, TCU WR Josh Doctson, Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell.
Bednarik Award (top defender): Temple LB Tyler Matakevich, Penn State DE Carl Nassib, Alabama LB Reggie Ragland.
Davey O'Brien Award (top quarterback): TCU QB Trevone Boykin, Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield, Clemson QB Deshaun Watson.
Outland Trophy (top lineman): Baylor OT Spencer Drango, Stanford G Joshua Garnett, Alabama DL A'Shawn Robinson.
Mackey Award (top tight end): Clemson TE Jordan Leggett, Stanford TE Austin Hooper, Arkansas TE Hunter Henry.
Thorpe Award (top defensive back): Iowa CB Desmond King, Duke S Jeremy Cash, Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves III.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
