SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Ian Book watched from inside the Leighton Concert Hall as the night’s final video montage began to roll during the Echoes. The football program’s awards show last Friday night was down to its final honoree, the team’s MVP about to be revealed. Voted on by the players, there was no doubt about the winner considering the three other finalists had already won awards. So Book, whose parents had flown in from California for the night, had reason for optimism.



And though the team’s awards show can feel like participation trophies considering the quantity awarded and the categories created, the Monogram Club MVP still stands apart. Quenton Nelson won it last year. Will Fuller did a couple years before that, preceded by Brady Quinn, Golden Tate and Jeff Samardzija. Book would join that MVP group, which also includes Joe Montana, a quarterback legend and icon from Book’s home state.



“To be able to be up there with...