This year's list of honorees read like a who's who of the best collegiate football talent to watch for in the Fall of 2005. In addition to college footballs' most exciting young playmaker Ted Ginn, Jr.,the Touchdown Club also presented their prestigious Awards of Distinction to quarterbacks Jared Zabransky (Boise State), Brady Quinn (Notre Dame),Omar Jacobs (Bowling Green), and Tyler Palko (Pittsburgh). Also honored, top returning running backs Laurence Maroney (Minnesota), DeAngelo Williams (Memphis), Gerald Riggs, Jr. (Tennessee), Ohio State All-America linebacker A.J. Hawk and Ohio State receiver Santonio Holmes.

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Touchdown Club of Columbus, the first winner of the prestigious Chic Harley Award, signifying the nation's top college football player, returned to the podium on Saturday, February 5th to accept the TDC's Lifetime Achievement Award. Ohio State football legend Howard "Hopalong" Cassady was the Touchdown Club's college football player of the year in 1954, and 50 years later, joined more than 50 of the nation's finest athletes to receive the award presented in recent years to George Steinbrenner, Lamar Hunt, Sparky Anderson, Nadia Comaneci, and last year's recipient, Joe Nuxhall.

Few remember the days when the Cleveland Browns were NFL Champions. So to jog the memory, the Touchdown Club of Columbus honored the 1954/55 NFL Champion Cleveland Browns, and presented members of those teams who were honored at the very first TDC Banquet. Browns legends Curly Morrison, Don Colo, and Hall of Famer Dante Lavelli returned to represent their teammates 50 years after their first appearance.

Two of the Big 10's best playmakers were honored at the 50th Anniversary Touchdown Club of Columbus Sports on Saturday, February 5, 2005. Purdue receiver Taylor Stubblefield, who is now college football's all-time leading receiver, received an Award of Distinction not only for the pass receptions record he established in 2004, but also for his outstanding collegiate career at Purdue. The next time we see Taylor in action will be on Sunday afternoons as he is projected to be a first-day pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Minnesota Golden Gopher running back Marion Barber III followed his father to Minnesota, where they both left their name in the school record book, and now Marion has decided to forgo his final year at Minnesota to again follow his father to the NFL. Marion Barber III returned to the Touchdown Club Awards Banquet this year to receive an Award of Distinction for another outstanding 1000+ yard rushing season. Barber and sophomore tailback Laurence Maroney became the first pair of backs to each rush in excess of 1000 yards in consecutive seasons. Marion leaves the University as the school's third all-time leading rusher.

On the strength of his outstanding junior season, and his MVP performance in the Orange Bowl National Championship game, Southern Cal quarterback Matt Leinart has again claimed the Archie Griffin Award from the Touchdown Club of Columbus. Leinart won the award last season and joins former Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey as the only two-time winner of the trophy, named for the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in history, Ohio State's Archie Griffin. The Griffin Award is the only award presented to an individual player at the conclusion of the college football schedule, and signifies the Most Valuable Player for the entire season. The award was first presented to Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick in 1999.

USC Trojan playmaker Reggie Bush has been named the winner of the Chic Harley Award, presented annually by the Touchdown Club of Columbus to the College Football Player of the Year. Bush edged out his teammate, QB Matt Leinart, who was named the nation's top quarterback by the TDC. The Harley Trophy was first presented in 1955 to Ohio State's Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, and has been held by football legends Barry Sanders, Eddie George, Roger Staubach, Archie Griffin, plus USC greats Mike Garrett and Marcus Allen. Pittsburgh sophomore receiver Larry Fitzgerald received the award in 2003.

Reggie Bush created excitement with each touch of the football in 2004, and hopes to be instrumental in guiding the Trojans to another National Championship at the Orange Bowl.

Two of the nation's most talented and highly recruited high school football players have been named as finalists for the Touchdown Club of Columbus Sam B. Nicola Award. The award, named for the Club's founder, the late Sam B. Nicola, is presented annually to the National High School Player of the Year. Past winners include Emmitt Smith, Chris Spielman, Chris Leak, and last year's winner, Adrian Peterson. Each player has already been named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year respectively.

The National High School Offensive Player of the Year is quarterback Ryan Perrilloux from East St. John, Louisiana. The 6'2", 215 pound senior threw for more than 3500 yards and 30 TDs, and ran for 1400+ yards an another 37 touchdowns in 2004.

Whether he is playing offense or defense, there are none better than receiver/defensive back Derrick Williams from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Maryland. With the size of a quality receiver, and the speed of a cornerback, it will be difficult for any college coach to determine which side of the ball he will play. Derrick recently announced he intends to continue his college education at Penn State.

The marquee match-up to determine the National Championship will feature this season's finest college football players. So it stands to reason that Trojans and Sooners would dominate the lineup as The Touchdown Club of Columbus presents their 2004 College Football Awards. Southern Cal's Reggie Bush, perhaps the most exciting player in the nation, has been named by the TDC's selection committee as the College Football Player of the Year. Bush edged out fellow teammate and past honoree, Matt Leinart, who claimed the honors as the top quarterback in 2004.

Oklahoma also has representation with Touchdown Club awards presented to Offensive Lineman of the Year Jammal Brown and Freshman of the Year, Adrian Peterson. The TDC's National High School Offensive Player of the Year just one year ago, is also their choice for this year's top collegiate running back.

Wisconsin Badgers senior Erasmus James is the TDC's pick for best defensive lineman, while Miami's Antrel Rolle is the nation's top defensive back. Longhorn Derrick Johnson of Texas has been named college football's best linebacker. Michigan's Braylon Edwards is the best receiver according to the TDC selection committee.

Utah head coach Urban Meyer has been named the winner of the 2004 Woody Hayes Trophy, presented by the Touchdown Club of Columbus. Named for Ohio State coaching legend Woody Hayes, the trophy is awarded annually to college football's Coach of the Year. Coach Meyer guided his Utes to the school's first undefeated season in 75 years, and has lost only two games since taking over at Utah. The Ashtabula, Ohio native is the fourth Buckeye to receive the Hayes Trophy in the last five years. Oklahoma Sooners coach Bob Stoops was the recipient of the 2003 award.

The 2004 Louisville Cardinals led the nation in total offense--averaging 50 points per game--thanks to the leadership of senior quarterback Stefan LeFors. As a result of an amazing 74% completion ratio and the best efficiency rating of any college quarterback, LeFors easily captured the Sammy Baugh Trophy presented annually by the Touchdown Club of Columbus in recognition of the nation's top collegiate passer.

The always accurate and equally consistent LeFors threw for more than 2400 total yards and 18 touchdowns while only being intercepted twice in 2004. The 6'0", 200 pound senior from Baton Rouge also ran for another 321 yards and will now lead his powerful Cardinal offense into a showdown with Boise State at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis on New Year's Eve.

First presented in 1959, the Sammy Baugh Trophy has been held by legendary players such as Bob Griese, John Elway, Steve Young, Daunte Culpepper, David Carr, and last year's winner, Texas Tech QB B.J. Symons.

The Touchdown Club of Columbus has named Bowling Green quarterback Omar Jacobs the MAC Player of the Year. The sophomore from Delray Beach, Florida established himself as the next great MAC quarterback by throwing for more than 4000 yards in 2004, and leading the nation with 41 touchdown passes. In leading the Falcons to a 52-35 route of Memphis at the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Jacobs earned MVP honors passing for 365 yards and five TDs.

After four years as a finalist in the Fitness America Pageant, Canadian Allison Ethier is finally the 2004 Fitness America Champion, and was honored at the Touchdown Club of Columbus' 50th Anniversary Awards Banquet this year. The 28-year old fitness beauty currently resides in Quebec where she is a high school math teacher.