Tyler Biadasz goes one for two at the College Football Awards

Wisconsin Badgers center Tyler Biadasz won the Rimington Trophy at the College Football Awards but came up short for the Outland Trophy.

For a kid who originally came to Madison as a lightly-recruited defensive lineman out of tiny Amherst, Wis. (population: 1,035), it’s safe to say things have turned out pretty well for Tyler Biadasz as a Badger.

Fours years after arriving on campus, he now finds himself universally considered one of the top offensive linemen in the nation and a likely first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Nearing the end of his best (and likely final) season as a Badger, Wisconsin’s star center was a finalist for both the Rimington and Outland trophies at yesterday’s College Football Awards in Atlanta, Ga.

He came up short in his pursuit of the Outland Trophy (awarded to the nation’s top interior lineman), with Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell taking home that honor over Biadasz and Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown. However, he didn’t leave empty-handed.

Biadasz was recognized as the nation’s top center when he was awarded the Rimington Trophy on the red carpet before the awards show, coming out on top of fellow finalists Matt Hennessy (Temple) and Creed Humphrey (Oklahoma).

Biadasz is the first player from Wisconsin to receive the trophy since its inception in 2000.

“It’s absolutely an honor to be a part of this,” Biadasz said upon receiving the award, according to the press release from the Rimington Trophy. “To be recognized nationally with an award for your specific position, recognizing the work that you put into your craft, you feel really grateful. This award means a lot to me. Coach (Joe) Rudolph and Coach (Paul) Chryst took a shot on me. I had never played center. Now, to be recognized as the best in the country, that’s really unbelievable to me. I’m very grateful to them for how they’ve affected my life and helped me along the way.”

Biadasz will be officially honored as the award’s recipient at the 20th Annual Rimington Trophy Presentation at the Rococo Theatre in Lincoln, Neb. on Jan. 18.