Pitt: 2015 Football Season Fan Poll Awards

Oct 29, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Tyler Boyd (23) runs after a catch against North Carolina Tar Heels safety Donnie Miles (15) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Player of the Year

Fan Vote: Tyler Boyd

My Vote: Ejuan Price

In this category, you can’t go wrong. It’s impossible. Where I selected Price, the large contingency of fans selected Boyd, without a doubt for his game changing tendencies and pace he plays with on offense.

To represent my choice, I chose Price because I don’t think the defense plays as absolutely well as they did without their rock. A case can be made for Matt Galambos being the central brain system for the defense, but Price was so much more influential on a down-to-down basis for the reinvigorated unit.

Looking at Boyd and his second award, he will leave the Panthers, in 2016 or 2017 as the most prolific receiver in the illustrious history of the Pittsburgh Panthers. Which is yet another notch on his belt for 2015, surpassing both Larry Fitzgerald and Antonio Bryant for the honor.

It’s difficult to fathom this team without Tyler Boyd in the lineup but it is something weighing heavily on the minds of all fans, players, and coaches. Unfortunately, it is a reality that has a greater chance of playing out than not. Replacing a player like Tyler is a task that I would hate to have to attempt, so I am in no way envious of Narduzzi and the entire offensive slew of coaches.

Lately, though, I have been getting a feeling that momentum is growing for the possibility of Boyd to return to enhance his stock to improve his draft status for 2017. The risks may outweigh the rewards, however.

Voting Breakdown:

Tyler Boyd: 44.15%

Jordan Whitehead: 26.76%

Ejuan Price: 18.06%

Nathan Peterman: 7.36%

Qadree Ollison: 3.68%

Next: Performance of the Year