First ever FISHER/LONG AWARD nominees and winner

I've decided to begin a new tradition here on my blog. Every year after each college football season, I will be selecting and presenting my own awards for individual players from the state of Michigan. Nationally, there are already numerous individual awards, including the Heisman Trophy, the Outland Trophy and the Ted Hendricks Award, to name but a few. My first award presentation will be for the position I've always felt is the most important on any football team -- the offensive line. So without further ado, here is the first-ever FISHER/LONG AWARD. 

The FISHER/LONG AWARD is named in honor of Eric Fisher (Rochester Hills Stoney Creek, CMU) and Jake Long (Lapeer East, Michigan), two of the state of Michigan's greatest collegiate offensive linemen. Fisher was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, while Long was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2008 NFL draft. Only four offensive linemen have ever been selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft in the modern era. Two of those No. 1 overall picks have been from the state of Michigan -- Fisher and Long. That's pretty impressive, isn't it? It just shows how talented the Great Lakes State is and has been throughout the years in producing top-flight, big-time offensive linemen. The other two offensive linemen selected No. 1 overall in the NFL draft were Ron Yary in 1968 (California native, USC) and Orlando Pace in 1997 (Ohio native, Ohio State). 

I figured Fisher and Long would be two worthy players to name my offensive line award after. 

The nominees for the inaugural FISHER/LONG AWARD for the 2022 college football season are -- 

Ryan Hayes-6-6, 310-OT-sr.-Michigan (Traverse City West)

Quinton Barrow-6-6, 330-OT-sr.-Grand Valley State (Romulus)

Anthony Bradford-6-5, 340-OG-sr.-LSU (Muskegon)

The recipient of the first-ever FISHER/LONG AWARD for the 2022 college football season, given to the state of Michigan's top collegiate offensive lineman, is (drum roll, please) presented to Quinton Barrow, senior offensive tackle from Grand Valley State University and Romulus High School. 

FISHER/LONG AWARD -- QUINTON BARROW-6-6, 330-OT-SR.-GRAND VALLEY STATE, ROMULUS HIGH SCHOOL

Barrow, a long-armed left tackle for the GVSU Lakers, was named a Division 2 first-team All-American this past season. An NFL prospect, Barrow has been invited to play in this year's Senior Bowl. Barrow is projected to be a late round (4-7 round) pick in this year's NFL draft. If Barrow plays well in the Senior Bowl, it's reported his draft status could improve significantly. Because Barrow plays in Division 2, he's not as well known nationally as other Division 1 offensive linemen, but make no doubt about it, he is certainly one of the country's best at his position. On one Web site I looked at recently, Barrow was ranked among the top 25 offensive linemen coming out for the 2023 NFL draft. Of those top 25 O-linemen (Ryan Hayes was also included, as was Javon Foster-6-6, 320, West Bloomfield, Missouri), Barrow was the only D-2 player included. 

In my next blog, I will list my nominees and winner for the inaugural WOODLEY AWARD, given to the state of Michigan's top collegiate defensive lineman.

PHOTO -- University of Michigan senior offensive tackle Ryan Hayes (Traverse City West) is one of three finalists for the inaugural FISHER/LONG AWARD given to the top collegiate offensive lineman from the state of Michigan.