The NFL season has creeped into November, which means national pundits are rolling out some awards at the halfway point of the 2016 season.

Sports Illustrated recently released its Midseason All-Pro Team, with a dynamic Vikings defender making the list.

Minnesota safety Harrison Smith impressed the 10 voters so much that he was the only defender to receiver a first-place vote from all of them.

Sports Illustrated wrote:

The only unanimous selection on defense, Smith has been a beast at the heart of the Vikings' top-ranked unit.

Smith, who made his first Pro Bowl in 2015, is currently second on the Vikings with 57 total tackles (according to the coaches tally). He also has two tackles for loss, a pair of fumble recoveries, two passes defensed and a sack.

The former first-round pick was the only player from the NFC North to make *Sports Illustrated's *list.

Zimmer is Coach of the Year candidate

Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer also received national praise when he was mentioned as a candidate for the Coach of the Year.

NFL.com released its midseason picks for the award, with six of the 15 voters tabbing Zimmer as this year's top coach.

From NFL.com analyst Jeffri Chadiha:

This team has dealt with injury after injury -- including the loss of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and running back Adrian Peterson -- and still sits in first place at 5-2. Zimmer has been in peak form.

From NFL.com analyst Willie McGinest:

What he's been able to do so far despite losing a lot of starters makes him the favorite here.

From NFL.com analyst David Carr:

He's lost a lot, but he's still winning. He's kept his team moving forward and should lead the Vikings to the playoffs.

Zimmer is 23-16 as the Vikings head coach and won the NFC North title in 2015.

New England's Bill Belichick was second with five votes, and Oakland's Jack Del Rio and Jason Garrett of the Cowboys each received two votes.