Up for two awards Thursday night in Atlanta, Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick heard the first decision early in the awards show.

The Thorpe Award for the nation's top defensive back was awarded within the first 20 minutes of the College Football Awards Show live on ESPN.

Make it 1-for-1.

Fitzpatrick became the second Alabama player to take the award joining Antonio Langham. That makes him the first to win it during the Nick Saban era.

A day earlier, Fitzpatrick said winning this award was a dream he had as a kid.

"I didn't know what to say when I was up on stage," Fitzpatrick said. "I tried not to smile too hard the whole time."

The junior from New Jersey is also a finalist for the Chuck Bednarick Award for the nation's top defensive player.

Fitzpatrick was complimented on his slick white suit jacket after winning the award. Looking down, he pointed out the drawback. A pink makeup stain was left behind when hugging his mom moments before.

The safety quickly defected a question about his draft status after posing for pictures with his award.

"I'm not making any comments about that," Fitzpatrick said. "I'm worried about winning the national championship."

Michael Casagrande is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande.