SI College Athlete of the Year Nominees

Liz Brenner

Notable: Became the Ducks' first three-sport female athlete since 1976, all while maintaining an impressive 3.07 GPA in psychology and being active in the community.

Trey Burke

Notable: The former three-star prospect had one of the greatest point guard seasons in the advanced stats era (2003-present) with title-contending Michigan.

Kyle Dake

Notable: Won an incredible four national titles in four different weight classes, while also being named a three-time academic All-American at Ivy League, Cornell.

Kimberlyn Duncan

Notable: As if winning both the NCAA Women's Track Athlete of the Year and Bowerman Awards wasn't enough, she has maintained an incredible 4.85 GPA.

Brittney Griner

Notable: Became the first NCAA player, male or female, to total 2,000 points and 500 blocked shots; she also holds the NCAA career record for dunks during women's competition.

Khaled Holmes

Notable: From accomplishments on the field to academic excellence to the creation of a mobile app, there's little this USC center can't do.

Drew LeBlanc

Notable: Rebounded from a potentially career-ending injury to being honored with the Hobey Baker Award and being offered a one-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Taylor Thornton

Notable: Won defensive player of the year honors as a sophomore and was named the 2012 National Player of the Year.

Tyler Thornton

Notable: The Division I player devoted much of his free time to serving as a role model to children at Durham's C.C. Spaulding Elementary.

Loren Shealey

Notable: Put aside her Tar Heel allegiances to become the first athlete to earn the prestigious Robertson scholarship at UNC and Duke.