It's interesting to note that Sikes from South Alabama was a junior college transfer and he's on the second team. Yet he lost the newcomer of the year award to Gant, who is on the third team.
I think what happens is, when it's time for superlative awards, voters vote for the guy on the team that wins. Obviously not in every case, as Bartley didn't win POY.
But that might have happened with Gant.