Newton, who easily outpointed runner-up Andrew Luck of Stanford, became the third Auburn player in history to capture the award.
Oregon running back LaMichael James and Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore were also in contention for the award.
Newton won even though he is under investigation by the NCAA which claims that his father tried send him to Mississippi State in return for cash.
Despite the pay-for-play probe, the US college governing body cleared Cam Netwon to play in the Southeastern Conference championship game, saying there was no evidence that the son knew about his father’s payment scheme.
Newton is the first Auburn player to win the honour since Bo Jackson in 1985.
© Copyright AFP Agence France-Presse GmbH – All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed. All reproduction or redistribution is expressly forbidden without the prior written agreement of AFP.
