FWAA News from Steve Richardson News

Four finalists for the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy representing two conferences, one of them a top pass defender off a top-five team in the current College Football Playoff rankings and the other three among this season’s top offensive backfield disrupters were named Friday as candidates for the award honoring the nation’s top defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

OMAHA (FWAA) – Seven semifinalists for the 2024 Outland Trophy – five offensive linemen and two defensive tackles – were announced Wednesday by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee. The semifinalists are each from different schools representing four conferences and represent all four positions eligible for the award.

Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts have teamed up to present the Pop-Tarts ‘Crazy Good’ Play of the Week during the 2024-25 college football season, with each week's play selected in conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America. Fordham is the winner of the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week for Week 12.

The Kansas Jayhawks went into Provo, Utah, and upended Big 12 leader and previously-undefeated and 6th-ranked BYU, 17-13. For beating a ranked team for a second consecutive week – a first in program history – the Jayhawks (4-6) earned the Cheez-It National Team of the Week award for games the weekend of Nov. 16, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.

Tennessee center Cooper Mays guided the Volunteers’ offensive line to help amass 452 total yards Saturday in a 33-14 win over Mississippi State. For not allowing a sack for a 23rd consecutive game and pacing the Southeastern Conference in pass blocking efficiency, Mays earned the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Nov. 9, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

The Ole Miss defensive line dominated Georgia on Saturday and one name kept coming up on multiple key plays and takeaways – defensive end Jared Ivey. The career-high five solo stops among his seven total tackles and two sacks that contributed to the Rebels’ 28-10 win has earned the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Nov. 9, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts have teamed up to present the Pop-Tarts ‘Crazy Good’ Play of the Week during the 2024-25 college football season, with each week's play selected in conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America. Jax State is the winner of the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week for Week 11.

Armed Forces Merit Award recipient named

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets ran for 271 yards on one side of the ball and contained the nation’s top offense on the other in a 28-23 win Saturday over No. 4 Miami. For taking down the previously undefeated Hurricanes and gaining bowl eligibility in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2013-14, Georgia Tech earned the Cheez-It National Team of the Week for games the weekend of Nov. 9, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.

Utah State safety Ike Larsen is this week’s nominee for the 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Larsen, a redshirt junior, has championed mental health and become a resource for others after feeling at his lowest point during the 2021 season.

Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun reached into the grasp of a Penn State receiver and heisted the ball along the end zone’s sideline, creating an interception on one of the signature plays of the weekend as the Buckeyes won a statement road game in the national scope, 20-13. To recognize the game-altering play, Igbinosun earned the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Nov. 2, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

South Carolina guard Torricelli Simpkins III stood out among the Gamecocks offensive line that cleared the way for 530 yards of total offense in a 44-20 win Saturday over No. 10 Texas A&M. For grading high and for his share creating the offensive outburst, Simpkins III earned the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Nov. 2, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts have teamed up to present the Pop-Tarts ‘Crazy Good’ Play of the Week during the 2024-25 college football season, with each week's play selected in conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America. UCLA is the winner of the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week for Week 10.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders drove 71 yards in the final two minutes Saturday, scoring with just 19 seconds left to stay in contention for a spot in the Big 12 Championship game with a 23-22 win at Iowa State. For gaining its first win against a Top 10 program on the road since 2011, Texas Tech earned the Cheez-It National Team of the Week award for games played the weekend of Nov. 2, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.

Kentucky’s J.J. Weaver is this week’s nominee for the 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Weaver, a sixth-year senior, has become a leader in the mental health space, particularly with grieving children, after dealing with several devastating setbacks in both his football and personal life.

Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds grabbed two interceptions last Saturday, taking one of them to the house to open the scoring during the Hoosiers’ 31-17 win over Washington. For his first multi-interception game that helped Indiana stay undefeated at 8-0, Ponds earned the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honor for games played the weekend of Oct. 26, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

Colorado State center Jacob Gardner helped keep the Rams at the top of the Mountain West standings Saturday, guiding his team to a 17-6 win over New Mexico. For his FBS-high blocking grades and consistent play for CSU, Gardner earned the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Oct. 26, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

The Kennesaw State Owls knocked off previously-undefeated Liberty for their first win of the season last Wednesday, frustrating Conference USA’s top rushing team while rolling up season-high yardage of its own in a 27-24 win. For gaining its first FBS victory in front of its home fans, Kennesaw State earned the Cheez-It National Team of the Week award for games the weekend of Oct. 26, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.

Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts have teamed up to present the Pop-Tarts ‘Crazy Good’ Play of the Week during the 2024-25 college football season, with each week's play selected in conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America. BYU is the winner of the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week for Week 9.

FWAA Freshman Players of the Year Nominees