It’s hard to believe the inaugural Alliance of American Football season is already to the half-way point. The clear favorite in the league right now is the Steve Spurrier led Orlando Apollos. The Apollos currently sit atop the East with the only undefeated record in the league. Right behind them are the Birmingham Iron, who started out hot at 3-0 but have since dropped their last 2. Things are a little closer in the West, with both the San Antonio Commanders and San Diego Fleet sitting at 3-2. While the Apollos seem to be the clear favorite, anything can happen in the second half of the season.

For now let’s take a look at the mid-season awards. Here we’ll take a look at league MVP, offensive and defensive player of the year, coach of the year, rookie of the year, and cap it off with our current Best 5(2).

MVP

Garrett Gilbert, QB, Orlando Apollos

It’s no surprise that the top team in the league also has the top quarterback. Gilbert has been lights out for the Apollos leading the league in yards (1,357) and yards per attempt (9.2) and is second in the league in completion percentage (62.8) and touchdowns (8); on top of the fact that he is the only starting QB in the AAF that is yet to throw an interception. If Gilbert can keep this play up, this award is his and the Apollos are headed straight to the championship.

Garrett Gilbert has been the best QB in the Alliance this season! pic.twitter.com/IYrmzZ3z5m — PFF_AAF (@PFF_AAF) March 6, 2019

Runners-up: Charles Johnson, WR, Orlando Apollos; Keith Reaser, CB, Orlando Apollos; Rashad Ross, WR, Arizona Hotshots

Offensive Player of the Year

Charles Johnson, WR, Orlando Apollos

The current best offensive weapon in the league is of course Gilbert’s number 1 target, Charles Johnson. Johnson is leading the league in receptions (29) and yards (493). He is currently averaging 98.6 yards per game. This Apollos passing attack has people taking notice, as Turner Sports have flexed 2 of their games from B/R Live to TNT (Week 5 against the Iron and week 7 against the Legends).

Runners-up: Rashad Ross, WR, Arizona Hotshots; Kenneth Farrow, RB, San Antonio Commanders; Garrett Gilbert, QB, Orlando Apollos

Defensive Player of the Year

Keith Reaser, CB, Orlando Apollos

Yes, the undefeated Orlando Apollos take a sweep of the player of the year awards. Though this one was much closer between Reaser and the Iron’s Jamar Summers. Reaser is tied for league lead in interceptions (3) but leads the league in having returned 2 of those for touchdowns. He is also tied for the league lead is passes defender (9) with Summers and the Stallions Will Davis. With Reaser’s play and his age (27), it’s likely we’ll see him get another shot in the NFL in the fall.

Runners-up: Jamar Summers, CB, Birmingham Iron; Damontre Moore, DE, San Diego Fleet; Karter Schult, DE, Salt Lake Stallions

Coach of the Year

Steve Spurrier, Orlando Apollos

You can’t be the only undefeated and not come through with the coach of the year. Spurrier looks like he hasn’t missed a beat. Yes, having the best QB in the league helps, but the offensive design and game-plan is what is separating them right now.

Runner-up: Kevin Coyle, Atlanta Legends

Rookie of the Year

Ja’Quan Gardner, RB, San Diego Fleet

I know it’s weird to say rookie when this is everyone’s first year in the AAF, but we wanted to highlight the best player so far that doesn’t have any regular season NFL experience. And right now that player is San Diego Fleet RB Ja’Quan Gardner. Gardner is second in the league in rushing yards (290) and has a league best 5.47 yards per carry (50 carry min.). Gardner was undrafted this past year out of Division 2 Humbolt State University. He signed with the 49ers in the preseason but was cut before the start of the regular season. It is guys like Gardner that this league was made for.

.@_JGWentworth_32 went 83 yards for the longest TD in @TheAAF history!



Week 3 @DrinkAmethyst Play Of The Game | Happiness Is In What You Drink pic.twitter.com/9cpXRw0Z5X — San Diego Fleet (@AAFFleet) February 27, 2019

Runners-up: Jamar Summers, CB, Birmingham Iron; John Wolford, QB, Arizona Hotshots; D’Ernest Johnson, RB, Orlando Apollos

The Mid-season Best 5(2)