According to ESPN's Pat Yasinskas there's only one player from the NFC South nominated in this year's ESPY awards-- and it's the Carolina Panthers new QB Cam Newton who is listed on the ballot "repeatedly". Not only is Newton up for the best college male athlete, but he's also nominated for best breakthrough athlete, along with best game for his leadership against Alabama last year, while Newton and the Auburn Tigers are nominated for best athlete.

Sure, the ESPY's are more pomp and circumstance than any real recognition, but it's nice to see a member of the Carolina Panthers get recognized in a positive way, even if he hasn't taken a snap yet. It's the kind of performances like those that got Newton nominated for ESPY awards that made the decision for the Carolina Panthers easy when they took him #1 overall.

Tune in to the ESPYs on July 13th to see if Newton can add some more hardware to his already impressive resume.