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The column was written by Paul Kasabian on December 10, 2021.
Emilee Chinn is a photographer.
The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame presents the nation's top collegiate defensive back to Coby Bryant.
The winner was announced at the awards.
Two other safety players were also considered for the award.
The award has been given out since 1986 and has been won by football players such as Deion Sanders and Charles Woodson.
The last five winners of the award have all been drafted in the first or second round of the NFL draft. The trophy was won in 2020 by Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig.
The winner's resume is the first to be looked at.
Bryant is a CB from Cincinnati.
Bryant helps form a rock-solid defense that has helped propel the team to great heights, which is why the team earned their first-ever College Football Playoff berth.
He had 40 tackles, two picks up and 11 passes defended. He's a shutdown corner that has been recognized nationwide. The fifth-year senior's efforts were highly praised by Pro Football Focus.
Bryant's 74-yard pick six in a 56-21 win over UCF is one of his best.
Bryant had seven tackles and three passes defended in a 24-13 win over Notre Dame.
Cincinnati's defense was exceptional that day, as it has been all season, with the Bearcats allowing the fourth-fewest points in Division I.
Pitre is a defensive player for the Bears.
Pitre will be a legend. He was the only member of the Bears' class who stayed with the program after Art Briles was fired.
He had 70 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, seven passes defended, and three forced turnovers. The fifth-year senior helped the Bears win the Big 12 Championship and earn a No. 7 College Football Playoff ranking.
Pitre was named the Senior Bowl's Defensive Player of the Week after his best game, a 38-24 win over BYU.
He made a lot of game-changing plays, such as this one against West Virginia.
The Bears responded to the pick by scoring 48 yards in five plays for a touchdown and a 20-7 lead.
Pitre had seven tackles, two for a loss, and two pass breakups in the Bears' Big 12 Championship Game win.
Verone McKinley III was from Oregon.
McKinley is one of the most productive defensive backs in the league, as he is equally good at delivering big hits as he is at making huge intercepts.
The strong running game and playmaking defense of the Oregon team helped it get into the College Football Playoff picture.
The three did a great job for the Ducks, who won 10 games and finished second in the conference.
The third-year sophomore starred with 71 tackles and six picks.
His best game was in Oregon's 42-35 win at Ohio State in September, when he had six tackles, two passes defended, one forced fumble and one huge pick-six.
Yahoo Sports
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"And that may do it!"Oregon's Verone McKinley III had a huge INT late in the fourth quarter against Ohio State.
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That was one of the most impressive wins of the season. McKinley was acknowledged as one of college football's top three defensive backs because of his role in that effort.
