
Georgia's George Mayo Claims 2030 Heisman - Coastal Carolina's Walt Reyna Makes His Own History

George Mayo capped off his remarkable season with the ultimate prize in college football. The Georgia wide receiver, fresh off a 171-yard, three-touchdown showcase in the SEC Championship, was officially named the 2030 Heisman Memorial Trophy winner. His performance not only powered the Bulldogs to another conference crown and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming playoff, it sealed his status as the nation’s most outstanding player.
In many ways, the timing was decisive. Quarterback Garrison Lemon, Mayo’s teammate and primary competition for the award, struggled in the title game with two interceptions and a lost fumble. Mayo’s dominance—and Lemon’s miscues—shifted the spotlight squarely onto the receiver.
The win adds Mayo to an astounding list of WRs to claim the Heisman in the last few years joining Jeremiah Smith and Devonta Smith, and his resume this season also included the Maxwell, Walter Camp, and Biletnikoff Awards. Ohio State quarterback Coco Magnuson finished third in the voting after leading the Buckeyes to a Big Ten title.
But even Mayo’s triumph was overshadowed in some circles by another story of historic proportions. Coastal Carolina linebacker Walt Reyna did the unthinkable, completing an unprecedented sweep of the Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski, and Dick Butkus awards—for the fourth consecutive year.
It’s a feat that may never be matched again. No player had ever even won any of those awards three times, let alone in back-to-back-to-back-to-back fashion. Reyna, a four-year starter who anchored the Chanticleers’ 2028 national championship defense, has built a legacy defined by dominance.
“This type of consistency and dominance is unheard of,” said former Alabama coach Nick Saban. “I’ve never seen someone take the field as a freshman and control the game the way he has, year after year. It’s astounding.”
Head coach Kade Vaughn echoed that sentiment, emphasizing not just the accolades but Reyna’s impact on Coastal’s program. “Words can’t express how much he’s meant to this team. He’s been the rock of our defense, through the highs and the doubts. To sustain that level for four years—it’s truly remarkable.”
Coastal added another honor to its trophy case as tight end Percy LaRue captured the John Mackey Award, a breakthrough moment after fellow Chanticleer tight end Trishtin Glass had finished as runner-up three years in a row.
Award | Player | School |
Heisman | WR George Mayo | Georgia |
Maxwell | WR George Mayo | Georgia |
Walter Camp | WR George Mayo | Georgia |
Bear Bryant Coach of the Year | HC Ken Niumatalolo | San Jose State |
Davey O'Brien | QB Garrison Lemon | Georgia |
Chuck Bednarik | MLB Walt Reyna | Coastal Carolina |
Bronko Nagurski | ML Walt Reyna | Coastal Carolina |
Jim Thrope | CB Glen Kutcher | Florida Atlantic |
Doak Walker | HB Jabari Lindsay | Nebraska |
Fred Biletnikoff | WR George Mayo | Georgia |
Lombardi | DE Sua Higgins | UCLA |
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm | QB Garrison Lemon | Georgia |
Defensive End of the Year | DE Sua Higgins | UCLA |
Outland | G Antoine Mims | Clemson |
John Mackey | TE Percy LaRue | Coastal Carolina |
Broyles | DC Anthony Teague | San Jose State |
Dick Butkus | MLB Walt Reyna | Coastal Carolina |
Rimington | C Morgan Cager | Penn State |
Lou Groza | K Manny Franco | Florida International |
Ray Guy | P Grant Cooke | UAB |
Jet Award | HB Kevin Avril | Liberty |
Shaun Alexander | WR Randall Bayless | Colorado |