It’s McNelly Award season. The time of the year where the top leaders at defensive back are recognized. Since many missed the origin post from July 25th, I’m reposting it now for context to the posts that will soon follow. Leander McNelly was a cool fella and worthy of having an award named for him.
So, enjoy learning about McNelly. If you read the post back in July, feel free to stop reading here. It’s the exact same.
FROM 7/25:
“Boys!” McNelly began,
“‘I may lead you into hell, but I’ll get you out if you do exactly what I tell you to do.
I’ll never send you into a battle, I’ll lead you. All I ask any man to do is follow me.’
The forty men climbed up onto their saddles, formed a phalanx behind their captain, and headed south.”
The book is Follow Me to Hell by Tom Clavin
The man is 5’5″ Leander McNelly Captain of the Texas Rangers. Described as “a little runt of a feller,” he led a group of equally brave men and brought justice to a lawless and turbulent 1870’s Texas frontier.
“His company of Rangers would obey his every word and display as much bravery in action as he did.”
Small in stature, staunch in spirit, stubborn and strong-willed, without a shred of fear, McNelly, tenacious and tireless to the end, intercepted and apprehended hundreds of Texas outlaws. McNelly’s Rangers were ruthless when necessary, causing incessant disruptions to the outlaw network.
“They would stop at nothing in pursuit of justice.”
Similar to how Defensive Backs stop at nothing in pursuit of intercepting or deflecting the football. The book is 300+ pages of 1870’s Texas history, and a riveting read. Let’s talk football.
“Let’s talk football.” “
I’ll run the defense–“
“As a part of my team’s strategy.”
Just another Boone, Yost back and forth because I can never get enough “Remember the Titans” this time of year. Important film
Anyways, back to DB’s. This site’s favorite position group.
Now, DB’s aren’t necessarily “small in stature” like McNelly, but words and phrases like staunch, stubborn, strong-willed, fearless, tenacious, tireless, ruthless when necessary, causing necessary disruptions–all describe the dudes that play toughest position on the football field.
Former Starkville standouts Johnthan Banks and Darius Slay are personal favorites of this type of player. Richard Sherman, Dieon Sanders, Darelle Revis, Ed Reed, Carlos Rogers, Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins were all examples of a player that could be described as a “McNelly Award Winner”; men that lead from the front. Only in this case, these men led from the front, while in the back–of the defense that is.
So, these are my favorite “McNelly Award” worthy Defensive Backs going into this 2025 season. Again, everything but the small in stature part.
2025 Preseason McNelly Award Watch:
- Jordan Castell
- Junior FS Florida 6′ 2″ 217lb
- Zakee Wheatley
- Senior FS Penn St 6′ 2″ 196lb
- Chandler Rivers
- Senior CB Duke 5′ 10″ 180lb
- Keon Sabb
- Junior FS Alabama 6′ 1″ 205lb
- Miles Scott
- Senior FS Illinois 5′ 11″ 210lb
- Jontez Williams
- Junior CB Iowa St 5′ 11″ 200lb
- Avieon Terrell
- Junior CB Clemson 5′ 11″ 180lb
- Tyree Skipper
- Senior SS Louisiana 6′ 2″ 207
- Josh Moten
- Senior CB Southern Miss 6’1″ 164lb
- Braden Awls
- Junior CB Toledo 6’0 196lb
- Caleb Downs
- Junior FS Ohio St 6’0 205lb
- Leonard Moore
- SOPH CB Notre Dame 6’0 186lb
- KJ Bolden
- SOPH SS Georgia 6’0 185lb
- Will “the Blanket” Lee
- Senior CB Texas A&M 6’3″ 190lb
These are just a few of the outstanding Defensive Backs that could win the first ever McNelly Award. Young men who lead from the front while playing from the back. High performance is necessary to win this award but leadership on the field matters just as much.
FS Miles Scott at Illinois fits McNelly in terms of leadership. He is a dark horse to win it over the likes of the preseason All-American candidates listed, but as a personal fan of his, he made the watch list. It’s anyone’s award to win at this point.
Remember, it’s not just about just about the spectacular plays, it’s about who makes those plays, and inspires others to do the same. This is about the young men that can rally the “Rangers” when it matters most.
“The forty men climbed into their saddles, formed a phalanx behind their captain, and headed south.”
Which player can be the McNelly that their team needs when trail has turned south towards “hell”?
Early favorites would be the following preseason All-American candidates:
- Caleb Downs OSU 1st Team
- Leonard Moore ND 1st Team
- Avieon Terrell CLEM 2nd Team
- Chandler Rivers Duke 2nd Team
- KJ Bolden Georgia 3rd Team
- Jontez Williams Iowa St 3rd Team
This will be fun to watch as the season unfolds. Just another wrinkle to add to the season. Good luck all.
It’s 3rd Team All-American Jontez Williams and the Iowa St Cyclones kicking things off in 4 weeks and one day in Dublin and with that–the Inaugural McNelly Award watch will begin.
A perfectly hot day outside, but majestically cool inside. The Air Conditioner. What an amazing invention. You know, the population boomed in Texas once the A/C was available in homes. You know why? Cuz Texas knows hot. Better than most. Think about that when you read of McNelly’s Rangers adventures across the plains. Those boys knew heat. They followed it straight to hell…and back.
THE END of 7/25
The first official McNelly watchlist will be up in the next 24 hours or so.
Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’
Whit W.