PRESS RELEASE UTSA Preseason Accolade Thread

[Javi C]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A league-high 15 members of the UTSA football team have been named to the Athlon Sports Preseason Conference USA Team.



UTSA’s 15 selections are three more than Florida Atlantic, Marshall and UAB, who each have 12 picks.



Eight Roadrunners — also the most in the conference — earned a spot on the first team. All-American running back Sincere McCormick, wide receiver Zakhari Franklin and offensive linemen Spencer Burford and Ahofitu Maka were picked for the offense, linebacker Trevor Harmanson and safety Rashad Wisdom made the defense and the All-American tandem of punter Lucas Dean and kicker Hunter Duplessis were selected for the first-team specialists.



Offensive lineman Makai Hart, defensive lineman Lorenzo Dantzler and outside linebacker Charles Wiley were named to the second team, while cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr. was tapped for the third team. Fourth-team honorees include quarterback Frank Harris, defensive lineman Jaylon Haynes and linebacker Jamal Ligon.



UTSA’s Athlon Sports Preseason C-USA Team Selections



First-Team Offense

RB — Sincere McCormick

WR — Zakhari Franklin

C — Ahofitu Maka

OL — Spencer Burford



First-Team Defense

LB — Trevor Harmanson

DB — Rashad Wisdom



First-Team Specialists

K — Hunter Duplessis

P — Lucas Dean



Second-Team Offense

OL — Makai Hart



Second-Team Defense

DL — Lorenzo Dantzler

LB — Charles Wiley



Third-Team Defense

DB — Corey Mayfield Jr.



Fourth-Team Offense

QB — Frank Harris



Fourth-Team Defense

DL — Jaylon Haynes

LB — Jamal Ligon



The Roadrunners will kick off their 11th season of football on Sept. 4 at Illinois and then will host Lamar in the home opener on Sept. 11.



UTSA will open the C-USA slate on Sept. 18 at home against Middle Tennessee before stepping back out of league play for a road date with Memphis on Sept. 25 and a home game versus UNLV on Oct. 2.



The Roadrunners then will hit the road to face WKU on Oct. 9 and host Rice on Oct. 16 before a pair of road contests at Louisiana Tech (Oct. 23) and UTEP (Nov. 6).



UTSA closes out the home slate with Southern Miss on Nov. 13and UAB on Nov. 20.



The regular season finale is scheduled for Nov. 27 at North Texas and the C-USA Championship Game is set for Dec. 4.



UTSA is coming off a 7-5 campaign that ended with the program’s second bowl appearance, a narrow 31-24 setback to No. 16 Louisiana in the 2020 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl on Dec. 26 in Dallas. UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor guided the Roadrunners to the second-most wins in school history, the most victories by a first-year head coach and to a second-place finish in C-USA’s West Division with a 5-2 mark.



Season tickets for UTSA's 2021 home schedule are on sale now. The Roadrunners will host six games this fall at the Alamodome for what will be the 10th anniversary of the first season of UTSA Football.



Season ticket prices start at $75 per seat and there are two season ticket pricing plans for less than $100. Additionally, there are “all-inclusive” options that provide access to the new Touchdown Club located in the north end zone.



To purchase your season tickets, please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



Current UTSA students receive free admission to all home games by downloading tickets via their Account Manager.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

LEWISVILLE, Texas — UTSA has placed five student-athletes on the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Preseason All-Texas College Teams, the publication announced this week.



Sincere McCormick was named Best Running Back and to the first-team backfield, joining offensive lineman Spencer Burford and linebacker Trevor Harmanson on the first team. Lucas Dean was tabbed the second-team punter and Rashad Wisdom landed in the second-team secondary.



With five selections, UTSA is tied with Baylor and Texas for the third-highest total among schools represented on the preseason squads. The honorees will be featured in the 2021 summer preview edition of Dave Campbell's Texas Football.



McCormick enjoyed a record-setting sophomore season in 2020, breaking UTSA’s single-season marks for rushing yards (1,467), touchdowns (11), carries (249), rushing yards per game (133.4) and all-purpose yards (1,598) en route to being named second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and Phil Steele. The Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-league performer finished second in the nation among FBS players in rushing yardage after logging a conference-best seven 100-yard games, including a school-record 251 in the 49-17 win over North Texas. The Converse Judson High School product was one of five finalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football College Player of the Year and a four-time C-USA Offensive Player of the Week pick.



Burford was a second-team All-Conference USA selection and a first-team Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-Texas College Team performer on the offensive line last season. He played in 11 games and drew 10 starts, the first two at right tackle before making the move to left tackle for the rest of the fall. The San Antonio Wagner High School graduate allowed just three hits on the quarterback and four sacks in 388 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, helping the offense break UTSA single-season records for rushing yards (2,585), rushing yards per game (215.4), yards per rush (5.21) and rushing touchdowns (24). He started in the record-setting regular season finale that saw the offense pile up a program-record 624 yards of offense, including a school-record 443 on the ground, in the 49-17 triumph over North Texas.



Harmanson was named to the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-Texas College First Team and he was an honorable mention all-conference performer at linebacker last season. The Dickinson, Texas, native ranked second on the team with 73 total tackles and he posted nine tackles for loss, including one sack, to go along with a team-high seven quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He had a season-high nine tackles, two quarterback hurries, one pass breakup and a forced fumble in the 49-17 rout of North Texas and he was named C-USA Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.



Dean earned second-team All-America accolades from the Sporting News and he was Phil Steele’s fourth-team All-America punter after a record-setting season in 2020. The C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year and a first-team all-conference honoree shattered the program’s single-season punting average record with a 46.0 mark, which led the league and ranked sixth nationally. A first-team Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-Texas College selection, the Australian registered 27 punts that pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line, including 15 inside the 10 and seven inside the 5. Of his 57 total punts, 40 were not returned and he recorded 21 punts of 50-plus yards, including a career-best 67-yarder at FAU. He was named Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week after averaging 45.0 yards on six punts with five inside the 20 and three of 50-plus yards against UAB.



Wisdom garnered first-team all-conference and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-Texas College honors in the secondary last fall. A local product out of Converse Judson, the safety led UTSA with 95 total tackles and a league-best four interceptions, which tied the program’s single-season record. He recorded a team-best 60 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, a pair of forced fumbles and a pass breakup on the year. Wisdom was voted Jim Thorpe Award Player of the Week and C-USA Defensive Player of the Week after posting nine tackles and causing two fumbles in the 52-21 win over UTEP. He opened his sophomore season by registering 10 tackles and returning an interception 81 yards for a touchdown for his second career pick-six, which is tied atop the program's all-time list, in the 51-48 double-overtime victory against Texas State.



UTSA will kick off its 11th season of football on Sept. 4 at Illinois in a game that will be televised nationally at 6:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.



The Roadrunners will host Lamar the following Saturday in the home opener. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN3.



Other home games include Middle Tennessee (Sept. 18), UNLV (Oct. 2), Rice (Oct. 16), Southern Miss (Nov. 13) and UAB (Nov. 20).



The Roadrunners will travel to Memphis (Sept. 25), WKU (Oct. 9), Louisiana Tech (Oct. 23), UTEP (Nov. 6) and North Texas (Nov. 27), while the Conference USA Championship Game is set for Dec. 4.



UTSA is coming off a 7-5 campaign that ended with the program’s second bowl appearance, a narrow 31-24 setback to No. 16 Louisiana in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. Head coach Jeff Traylor guided the Roadrunners to the second-most wins in school history, the most victories by a UTSA first-year coach and to a runner-up finish in C-USA’s West Division with a 5-2 mark.



Season tickets for UTSA's 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Prices start at $75 per seat and there are two season ticket pricing plans for less than $100. Additionally, there are “all-inclusive” options that provide access to the new Touchdown Club located in the north end zone.



To purchase your season tickets, please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



Current UTSA students receive free admission to all home games by downloading tickets via their Account Manager.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

CLEVELAND — UTSA running back Sincere McCormick has collected his second preseason All-America nod, as the Converse Judson High School product has been named to Phil Steele’s second team, the publication announced this week.

McCormick joins Mohamed Ibrahim of Minnesota in the second-team backfield, as running backs Breece Hall of Iowa State and Bijan Robinson of Texas were picked to the first team. Third-team honorees at the position are Isaiah Spiller of Texas A&M and Kyren Williams of Notre Dame, with Auburn’s Tank Bigsby and Iowa’s Tyler Goodson chosen for the fourth squad.

Last week, McCormick was named a Walter Camp Preseason Second-Team All-American. He also was named Best Running Back and first-team All-Texas College by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football earlier this month, as well as a preseason first-team all-conference selection by Athlon Sports in May.

McCormick enjoyed a record-setting sophomore season in 2020, breaking UTSA’s single-season marks for rushing yards (1,467), touchdowns (11), carries (249), rushing yards per game (133.4) and all-purpose yards (1,598) en route to being named second-team All-American by both Phil Steele and the Football Writers Association of America.

The 2020 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-league performer finished second in the nation among FBS players in rushing yardage after logging a conference-best seven 100-yard games, including a school-record 251 in the 49-17 win over North Texas. He was one of five finalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football College Player of the Year and a four-time C-USA Offensive Player of the Week pick last fall.

UTSA will kick off its 11th season of football on Sept. 4 at Illinois in a game that will be televised nationally at 6:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.

The Roadrunners will host Lamar the following Saturday in the home opener. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN3.

Other home games include Middle Tennessee (Sept. 18), UNLV (Oct. 2), Rice (Oct. 16), Southern Miss (Nov. 13) and UAB (Nov. 20).

The Roadrunners will travel to Memphis (Sept. 25), WKU (Oct. 9), Louisiana Tech (Oct. 23), UTEP (Nov. 6) and North Texas (Nov. 27), while the Conference USA Championship Game is set for Dec. 4.

UTSA is coming off a 7-5 campaign that ended with the program’s second bowl appearance, a narrow 31-24 setback to No. 16 Louisiana in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. Head coach Jeff Traylor guided the Roadrunners to the second-most wins in school history, the most victories by a UTSA first-year coach and to a runner-up finish in C-USA’s West Division with a 5-2 mark.

Season tickets for UTSA's 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Prices start at $75 per seat and there are two season ticket pricing plans for less than $100. Additionally, there are “all-inclusive” options that provide access to the new Touchdown Club located in the north end zone.

To purchase your season tickets, please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.

Current UTSA students receive free admission to all home games by downloading tickets via their Account Manager.

-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

CLEVELAND — UTSA has placed 14 student-athletes on Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Conference USA Teams as the publication has unveiled its preseason honorees this week.



A total of eight Roadrunners landed on the first team, two more than UAB, which is listed with six first-team honorees. UTSA’s 14 overall selections matches the Blazers, the defending C-USA champions, for the most in the league.



Of UTSA’s eight first-team picks, four are on the offense. Spencer Burford and Ahofitu Maka are two of five first-team offensive linemen selected, while Zakhari Franklin and Sincere McCormick appear at wide receiver and running back, respectively.



Trevor Harmanson is a first-team pick at linebacker and Rashad Wisdom is in the first-team secondary to lead the defensive selections, while punter Lucas Dean and kicker Hunter Duplessis have been chosen as first-team specialists.



Frank Harris is the second-team quarterback, while Charles Wiley is a third-team pick at linebacker.



UTSA has four fourth-team honorees in wide receiver Joshua Cephus, offensive lineman Makai Hart, defensive lineman Jaylon Haynes and linebacker Jamal Ligon.



UTSA’s Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference USA Selections

First Team

Spencer Burford, OT

Lucas Dean, P

Hunter Duplessis, K

Zakhari Franklin, WR

Trevor Harmanson, LB

Ahofitu Maka, C

Sincere McCormick, RB

Rashad Wisdom, DB



Second Team

Frank Harris, QB



Third Team

Charles Wiley, LB



Fourth Team

Joshua Cephus, WR

Makai Hart, OT

Jaylon Haynes, DT

Jamal Ligon, LB

- UTSA -

 

[Javi C]

SAN ANTONIO — UTSA’s Lucas Dean and Sincere McCormick have been named preseason second-team All-Americans by Sporting News, while McCormick also collected preseason second-team All-America honors from Athlon Sports.



McCormick now boasts four preseason All-America nods from major national publications this summer, as the Converse Judson High School product also made the second teams for Walter Camp and Phil Steele, while this marks the first preseason All-America mention for Dean.



McCormick is coming off a record-setting sophomore season in 2020 that saw him eclipse UTSA’s single-season marks for rushing yards (1,467), touchdowns (11), carries (249), rushing yards per game (133.4) and all-purpose yards (1,598) en route to being named a second-team All-American by both Phil Steele and the Football Writers Association of America. The C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-league performer finished second in the nation among FBS players in rushing yardage after logging a conference-best seven 100-yard games, including a school-record 251 in the 49-17 win over North Texas. He was one of five finalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football College Player of the Year and a four-time C-USA Offensive Player of the Week pick last fall.



Dean earned second-team All-America accolades from Sporting News and he was Phil Steele’s fourth-team All-America punter after a record-setting campaign in 2020. The C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year and first-team all-conference honoree shattered the program’s single-season punting average record with a 46.0 mark, which led the league and ranked sixth nationally. A first-team Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-Texas College selection, the Australian registered 27 punts that pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line, including 15 inside the 10 and seven inside the 5. Of his 57 total punts, 40 were not returned and he recorded 21 punts of 50-plus yards, including a career-best 67-yarder at FAU. He was named Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week after averaging 45.0 yards on six punts with five inside the 20 and three of 50-plus yards against UAB.



UTSA will kick off its 11th season of football on Sept. 4 at Illinois in a game that will be televised nationally at 6:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.



The Roadrunners will host Lamar the following Saturday in the home opener. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN3.



Other home games include Middle Tennessee (Sept. 18), UNLV (Oct. 2), Rice (Oct. 16), Southern Miss (Nov. 13) and UAB (Nov. 20).



The Roadrunners will travel to Memphis (Sept. 25), WKU (Oct. 9), Louisiana Tech (Oct. 23), UTEP (Nov. 6) and North Texas (Nov. 27), while the Conference USA Championship Game is set for Dec. 4.



UTSA is coming off a 7-5 campaign that ended with the program’s second bowl appearance, a narrow 31-24 setback to No. 16 Louisiana in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. Head coach Jeff Traylor guided the Roadrunners to the second-most wins in school history, the most victories by a UTSA first-year coach and to a runner-up finish in C-USA’s West Division with a 5-2 mark.



Season tickets for UTSA's 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Prices start at $75 per seat and there are two season ticket pricing plans for less than $100. Additionally, there are “all-inclusive” options that provide access to the new Touchdown Club located in the north end zone.



To purchase your season tickets, please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



Current UTSA students receive free admission to all home games by downloading tickets via their Account Manager.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

PHILADELPHIA — UTSA running back Sincere McCormick has been named to the Maxwell Award watch list and safety Rashad Wisdom has landed on the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Monday.



McCormick is one of 80 FBS players and one of four from Conference USA on the watch list for the Maxwell Award, which has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, who was a former standout at the Swarthmore College and a renowned sports writer and football official.



Wisdom is one of 90 FBS players, including one of six from C-USA, on the watch list for the Bednarik Award, which has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995 and is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, a former standout at the University of Pennsylvania and with the Philadelphia Eagles. Bednarik is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame's Class of '69 and the NFL Hall of Fame's Class of '67.



Earning a spot on the Maxwell Award watch list is the latest in a long line of preseason accolades for McCormick, who has been named to four preseason All-America teams by major national publications. He also was chosen as Best Running Back and to the Preseason All-Texas College Team by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football in addition to being tabbed preseason first-team all-conference by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.



A product of Converse Judson High School, McCormick is coming off a record-setting sophomore season in 2020 that saw him eclipse UTSA’s single-season marks for rushing yards (1,467), touchdowns (11), carries (249), rushing yards per game (133.4) and all-purpose yards (1,598) en route to being named a second-team All-American by both Phil Steele and the Football Writers Association of America.



The 2020 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-league performer finished second in the nation among FBS players in rushing yardage after logging a conference-best seven 100-yard games, including a school-record 251 in the 49-17 win over North Texas. An FWAA Freshman All-American and C-USA Freshman of the Year in 2019, he was one of five finalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football College Player of the Year and a four-time C-USA Offensive Player of the Week pick last fall.



In addition to making the Bednarik Award watch list, Wisdom earned a spot on Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Preseason All-Texas College Team and he is a preseason first-team all-conference pick by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.



Also a former Converse Judson star, Wisdom garnered first-team all-conference and Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas College honors in the secondary as a sophomore last fall. He led UTSA with 95 total tackles and a league-best four interceptions, which tied the program's single-season record. He recorded a team-best 60 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, a pair of forced fumbles and a pass breakup on the year.



Wisdom was voted Jim Thorpe Award Player of the Week and C-USA Defensive Player of the Week after posting nine tackles and causing two fumbles in the 52-21 win over UTEP. He opened the campaign by registering 10 tackles and returning an interception 81 yards for a touchdown for his second career pick-six, which is tied atop the program's all-time list, in the 51-48 double-overtime victory against Texas State.



Semifinalists for the Bednarik and Maxwell Awards powered by Mammoth Tech will be announced on Nov. 1, while finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 22. The winner of the 2021 Bednarik and Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 9. The formal presentation of the awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on March 11, 2022.



The Maxwell Football Club has once again partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF), XOS ThunderCloud and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners. PFF provides detailed metrics and performance-based assessments to selection committee staff, and several senior PFF analysts are members of our selection committee. Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is generally recognized as the most complete preseason magazine. XOS ThunderCloud provides the Maxwell Club selection committee with access to game footage from all FBS colleges.



ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, Mammoth Tech and the Athletes’ Corner. To learn more about our story visit www.maxwellfootballclub.org.



The Bednarik and Maxwell Awards are members of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.



Season tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

FORT WORTH, Texas — UTSA’s Frank Harris has earned a spot on the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List, the Davey O’Brien Foundation announced on Tuesday.



Harris is one of 30 FBS signal-callers — one of two from Conference USA — to land on the list of the nation’s top returning college quarterbacks. Compiled by a subset of the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee, this year’s list was selected based on career player performance and expectations heading into the 2021 college football season. All nominees are required to have previously started at least one game at an NCAA Division I institution.



A product of Schertz Clemens High School, Harris has played in 15 games and started 14 contests over the past two seasons for the Roadrunners, completing 225 of 341 passes for 2,116 yards and 15 touchdowns. He currently owns UTSA’s career record for completion percentage (.660) and he ranks third all-time in passing yards, passing touchdowns and passing efficiency (127.9).



An honorable mention all-conference selection a season ago, Harris played in 11 contests and drew 10 starts in 2020 to help lead UTSA to a 7-5 record, a runner-up finish in C-USA’s West Division with a 5-2 mark and the program’s second bowl appearance. A member of the Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2020, he set the program’s single-season standard by completing 63.6% (159-250) of his passes for 1,630 yards and 12 TDs and he also rushed for 528 yards and nine scores on 95 carries.



Harris was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 269 yards and a touchdown on 23-of-36 passing and rushing for 104 yards and a pair of scores on 17 carries in the 24-10 victory against SFA last fall. He enjoyed arguably his top performance as a Roadrunner in the 52-21 rout of UTEP in November, completing 22 of 26 passes (84.6%) for a season-best 312 yards and three TDs and running for 43 yards and a pair of touchdowns.



The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. Appearing on the preseason watch list is not a requirement for a player to win the award.



For the second straight year, players honored as weekly Davey O’Brien Great 8 recipients, as well as any additional quarterbacks approved by the selection subcommittee, will be added to form the official Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2021, which will be announced on Monday, Oct. 25.



Sixteen semifinalists selected from the QB Class of 2021 list will be named on Monday, Nov. 8. The Foundation will announce the three finalists two weeks later (Monday, Nov. 22). The 2021 Davey O’Brien Award winner will be unveiled live on ESPN on Thursday, Dec. 9, during The Home Depot College Football Awards. Fan voting on social media will again play a role in the semifinalist, finalist and winner voting totals when combined with the national selection committee’s ballots.



The 45th Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 21, in Fort Worth.



2021 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List

Connor Bazelak, Missouri, So., 6-3, 212, Dayton, Ohio

Charlie Brewer, Utah, Sr., 6-1, 210, Austin, Texas

Matt Corral, Ole Miss, Jr., 6-1, 205, Ventura, Calif.

Malik Cunningham, Louisville, Jr., 6-1, 200, Montgomery, Ala.

Dustin Crum, Kent State, Sr., 6-3, 207, Grafton, Ohio

Jayden Daniels, Arizona State, So., 6-3, 185, San Bernardino, Calif.

JT Daniels, Georgia, Jr., 6-3, 210, Irvine, Calif.

Max Duggan, TCU, Jr., 6-2, 201, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Dillon Gabriel, UCF, Jr., 6-0, 200, Mililani, Hawaii

Frank Harris, UTSA, Sr., 6-0, 200, Schertz, Texas

Sam Howell, North Carolina, Jr., 6-1, 220, Indian Trail, N.C.

Phil Jurkovec, Boston College, Jr., 6-5, 226, Pittsburgh, Pa.

D’Eriq King, Miami, Sr., 5-11, 195, Manvel, Texas

Levi Lewis, Louisiana, Sr., 5-10, 184, Baton Rouge, La.

Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina, So., 6-3, 210, Indian Trail, N.C.

Graham Mertz, Wisconsin, So., 6-3, 225, Overland Park, Kan.

McKenzie Milton, Florida State, Sr., 5-11, 192, Kapolei, Hawaii

Tanner Morgan, Minnesota, Sr., 6-2, 215, Union, Ky.

Michael Penix Jr., Indiana, Jr., 6-3, 218, Tampa, Fla.

Brock Purdy, Iowa State, Sr., 6-1, 220, Gilbert, Ariz.

Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma, So., 6-1, 200, Phoenix, Ariz.

Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati, Sr., 6-4, 215, Louisville, Ky.

Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State, Jr., 6-1, 205, Denton, Texas

Kedon Slovis, USC, Jr., 6-3, 215, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Nick Starkel, San Jose State, Sr., 6-3, 214, Argyle, Texas

Carson Strong, Nevada, Jr., 6-4, 215, Vacaville, Calif.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA, Sr., 6-1, 200, Las Vegas, Nev.

D.J. Uiagalelei, Clemson, So, 6-4, 250, Inland Empire, Calif.

Grant Wells, Marshall, R-Fr., 6-2, 210, Charleston, W.Va.

Malik Willis, Liberty, Jr., 6-1, 215, Atlanta, Ga.



About the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award

The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The Davey O’Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the Davey O’Brien Foundation has awarded more than $1.2 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrien.org.



Season tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

DALLAS — UTSA punter Lucas Dean has been named Conference USA Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year and Roadrunners running back Sincere McCormick has been chosen as C-USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in a vote by the league’s head coaches.



The reigning C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year and a first-team all-conference honoree, Dean earned second-team All-America accolades from the Sporting News and he was Phil Steele’s fourth-team All-America punter after a record-setting campaign in 2020. The Australian shattered the program’s single-season punting average record with a 46.0 mark, which led the league and ranked sixth nationally. A first-team Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-Texas College selection, he registered 27 punts that pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line, including 15 inside the 10 and seven inside the 5 during his sophomore season. Of his 57 total punts, 40 were not returned and he recorded 21 punts of 50-plus yards, including a career-best 67-yarder at FAU. He was named Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week after averaging 45.0 yards on six punts with five inside the 20 and three of 50-plus yards against UAB.



McCormick earned 2020 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference accolades during a record-setting sophomore season. The Converse Judson High School product set UTSA’s single-season marks for rushing yards (1,467), touchdowns (11), carries (249), rushing yards per game (133.4) and all-purpose yards (1,598) en route to being named a second-team All-American by both Phil Steele and the Football Writers Association of America. He finished second in the nation among FBS players in rushing yardage after logging a conference-best seven 100-yard games, including a school-record 251 in the 49-17 win over North Texas. A preseason All-American by multiple national publications and a member of the Maxwell Award watch list, McCormick was one of five finalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football College Player of the Year and a four-time C-USA Offensive Player of the Week pick last fall.



WKU defensive end DeAngelo Malone was pegged as C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.



These preseason honors come one day after the Roadrunners were projected to finish second in the C-USA West Division in a vote by media members who cover the league. UTSA received nine first-place votes for second behind defending conference champion UAB, which collected 15 first-place votes. Louisiana Tech is predicted to finish third in the West Division, followed by Southern Miss, Rice, North Texas and UTEP. Marshall is the preseason favorite in the East.



UTSA welcomes back 71 lettermen, including 10 starters on offense and all 11 on defense, from a 2020 campaign that resulted in a 7-5 record and the program’s second bowl appearance. Head coach Jeff Traylor guided the Roadrunners to the second-most wins in school history, the most victories by a first-year UTSA coach and to a runner-up finish in the C-USA West Division with a 5-2 mark.



Season tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

DALLAS — The preseason honors continue to pour in for Sincere McCormick, as the UTSA running back has been named a preseason candidate for the Doak Walker Award, as announced on Wednesday by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum.



McCormick is one of 82 FBS players, including one of four from Conference USA, named to the Doak Walker Award preseason candidate list. This accolade comes on the heels of the 2020 Doak Walker Award semifinalist being selected for the Maxwell Award watch list on Monday and as the C-USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year on Tuesday.



A product of Converse Judson High School, McCormick earned 2020 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference accolades during a record-setting sophomore season. He eclipsed UTSA’s single-season marks for rushing yards (1,467), touchdowns (11), carries (249), rushing yards per game (133.4) and all-purpose yards (1,598) en route to being named a second-team All-American by both Phil Steele and the Football Writers Association of America.



McCormick finished second in the nation among FBS players in rushing yardage after logging a conference-best seven 100-yard games, including a school-record 251 in the 49-17 win over North Texas. A preseason All-American by multiple national publications, he was one of five finalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football College Player of the Year and a four-time C-USA Offensive Player of the Week pick last fall.



The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists in November and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will be announced later that month. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the recipient, who will be announced live on ESPN on Dec. 9 during The Home Depot College Football Awards. The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives.



The award is named for SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. It is the only major collegiate award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification.



The Doak Walker Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org and @NCFAA on Twitter to learn more about the association.



Season tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

ALLAHASSEE, Fla. — UTSA wide receiver Zakhari Franklin has been named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation announced on Thursday.

Franklin is one of 51 FBS players — including one of three from Conference USA — on the preseason watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which annually recognizes the college football season's outstanding FBS receiver. Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot back and running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award.

Franklin enjoyed a record-setting sophomore season that resulted in honorable mention all-conference accolades in 2020. Despite missing two contests, the Cedar Hill High School product broke UTSA's single-season receiving records with 694 yards and 69.4 yards per game on 49 receptions, and he caught seven touchdown passes, the second-most in a season in program history.

Franklin logged four 100-yard receiving games — also a UTSA record — and he set a single-game mark with 12 receptions against Army, totaling 138 yards and two touchdowns. He also topped the century mark with 119 yards and a touchdown on six catches in the 37-35 win over Middle Tennessee and with 118 yards and a score on six receptions in the 52-21 triumph of UTEP. In his final outing of the year, Franklin piled up 115 yards and a TD on five catches against No. 16 Louisiana in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.

The name Biletnikoff is synonymous with the term receiver. Fred Biletnikoff, a member of the pro and college football halls of fame, was a consensus All-America receiver at Florida State and an All-Pro receiver for the Oakland Raiders. He caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns in his 14-year Raiders career from 1965 through 1978 and was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XI.

The semifinalists, finalists, and award recipient are selected by the highly distinguished Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, Biletnikoff Award winners, and other former receivers. The 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented the Biletnikoff Award trophy by TQC Foundation Chairman Roger Champion, keynoter and college hall of famer and two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, and college and pro football hall of famer Fred Biletnikoff at the Biletnikoff Award Banquet & Celebration at the University Center Club at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on March 5, 2022.

The Biletnikoff Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org and @NCFAA on Twitter to learn more about the association.

The 2021 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List
Jordan Addison, Pitt
Calvin Austin III, Memphis
David Bell, Purdue
Ronnie Bell, Michigan
Max Borghi, Washington State
Kayshon Boutte, LSU
Treylon Burks, Arkansas
Elijah Cooks, Nevada
Jacob Cowing, UTEP
Dontay Demus Jr., Maryland
Jahan Dotson, Penn State
Romeo Doubs, Nevada
Emeka Emezie, NC State
Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech
Zay Flowers, Boston College
Zakhari Franklin, UTSA
Ty Fryfogle, Indiana
Kaylon Geiger, Texas Tech
Justin Hall, Ball State
Mike Harley, Miami
Taj Harris, Syracuse
Jaivon Heiligh, Coastal Carolina
Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
Johnny Johnson III, Oregon
Billy Kemp IV, Virginia
Charlie Kolar, Iowa State
Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina
Drake London, USC
Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Bo Melton, Rutgers
John Metchie III, Alabama
Marvin Mims, Oklahoma
Chris Olave, Ohio State
Sam Pinckney, Georgia State
Rashee Rice, SMU
Jaquarii Roberson, Wake Forest
Reggie Roberson Jr., SMU
Jaylon Robinson, UCF
Gunner Romney, BYU
Justyn Ross, Clemson
Bradley Rozner, Rice
Khalil Shakir, Boise State
Keylon Stokes, Tulsa
Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama
Cole Turner, Nevada
Jaden Walley, Mississippi State
Tahj Washington, USC
Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
Michael Wilson, Stanford
Mike Woods, Oklahoma
Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M

-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

NEW YORK — UTSA senior Leroy Watson has earned a spot on the John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List, The Friends of John Mackey announced on Friday.



Watson is one of 56 FBS players, including one of three from Conference USA, on the preseason watch list for the Mackey Award, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end. The award recipient is selected by a vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee.



A two-year starter for the Roadrunners entering his final campaign, Watson earned honorable mention all-conference accolades in 2020 after catching 14 passes for 176 yards while appearing in all 12 games. The Snellsville, Ga., native averaged 12.6 yards per catch and also was considered one of the top blocking tight ends in the league. Watson had four receptions for 46 yards, including a season long of 26 yards, in the 52-21 victory over UTEP and he was on the receiving end of three passes for a season-best 49 yards at No. 15 BYU. He had two receptions for 26 yards in the 37-25 victory against Middle Tennessee and grabbed a 19-yard pass in the 24-10 win over SFA.



The Mackey Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org and @NCFAA on Twitter to learn more about the association.



Season tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

OKLAHOMA CITY — UTSA safety Rashad Wisdom has been named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association announced on Monday.



Wisdom is one of 40 FBS players, including one of three from Conference USA, on the preseason watch list for the award, which is awarded annually to the nation’s top defensive back.



This honor comes one week to the day after the Converse Judson High School product was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List. Earlier this summer, he earned a spot on Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Preseason All-Texas College Team and he is a preseason first-team all-conference pick by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.



Wisdom garnered first-team all-conference and Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas College honors in the secondary as a sophomore last fall. He led UTSA with 95 total tackles and a league-best four interceptions, which tied the program's single-season record. He recorded a team-best 60 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, a pair of forced fumbles and a pass breakup on the year.



Wisdom was voted Jim Thorpe Award Player of the Week and C-USA Defensive Player of the Week after posting nine tackles and causing two fumbles in the 52-21 win over UTEP. He opened the campaign by registering 10 tackles and returning an interception 81 yards for a touchdown for his second career pick-six, which is tied atop the program's all-time list, in the 51-48 double-overtime victory against Texas State.



A screening committee consisting of OSHOF members monitors the watch list players and narrows the field to 10 to 15 semifinalists in October. This committee reconvenes on the Monday before Thanksgiving to select three award finalists. The three finalists are submitted to a national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players and coaches who vote to determine the winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.



The winner will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show. Other recognized National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) awards announced include the Bednarik Award, Maxwell Award, Mackey Award, Rimington Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Ray Guy Award, Bronko Nagurski Award, Outland Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Biletnikoff Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Doak Walker Award and Walter Camp Award.



The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following ESPN's live presentation at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show. The current winner and all former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.


For more information on the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and past award recipients, please visit oklahomasportshalloffame.org.



The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org and @NCFAA on Twitter to learn more about the association.



Season tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

DALLAS — UTSA offensive lineman Spencer Burford has earned a spot on the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced on Tuesday.



Burford is one of 80 FBS players, including one of three from Conference USA, on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation's most outstanding interior lineman on offense or defense.



Burford earned second-team all-conference and first-team Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-Texas College honors last season after appearing in 11 games and drawing 10 starts at right or left tackle. The San Antonio Wagner High School product helped the offense break UTSA single-season records for rushing yards (2,585), rushing yards per game (215.4), yards per rush (5.21) and rushing touchdowns (24) last fall. He allowed just three hits on the quarterback and four sacks in 388 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.



Burford helped the Roadrunners pile up a program-record 624 yards of offense, including a school-record 443 on the ground, in a 49-17 win over North Texas in the 2020 regular season finale. He started at left tackle in the 52-21 victory over UTEP, helping the Roadrunners tally 600 yards of offense, and he drew the starting nod at right tackle and helped the offense pile up 330 rushing yards in the 51-48 double-overtime win at Texas State in the season opener.



The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from three finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.



The recipient of the 2021 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN in December. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 12, 2022.



The Outland Trophy, celebrating 75 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.



The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org and @NCFAA on Twitter to learn more about the association.



Season tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

SAN ANTONIO — The preseason honors for UTSA continue to roll in, as Lucas Dean has been named to the Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List and Hunter Duplessis has earned a place on the preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award.



Both Roadrunners were semifinalists for the respective awards last season after helping lead UTSA to a 7-5 record and the program’s second bowl appearance.



Dean is one of 51 FBS players, including one of six from Conference USA, on the preseason watch list for the Ray Guy Award, which is awarded annually to the nation’s top collegiate punter.



The reigning C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year and a first-team all-conference honoree, Dean earned second-team All-America accolades from the Sporting News and he was Phil Steele’s fourth-team All-America punter after a record-setting campaign in 2020. The Australian shattered the program’s single-season punting average record with a 46.0 mark, which led the league and ranked sixth nationally.



A first-team Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-Texas College selection and the 2021 C-USA Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year, he registered 27 punts that pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line, including 15 inside the 10 and seven inside the 5 during his sophomore season. Of his 57 total punts, 40 were not returned and he recorded 21 punts of 50-plus yards, including a career-best 67-yarder at FAU. He was named Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week after averaging 45.0 yards on six punts with five inside the 20 and three of 50-plus yards against UAB.



The complete list of Ray Guy Award candidates will grow during the season and then be released on Nov. 2. In mid-November, the Ray Guy Award committee will meet to select the 10 semifinalists, who will be announced on Nov. 10. A national body of sports information directors, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners will then vote for the top three finalists to be announced on Nov. 23. After the finalists are named, the voting body will cast ballots again to select the nation’s top punter. The winner will be announced live during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing on ESPN on Dec. 9.



The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia, native and College and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of times punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage and percentage of punts not returned with particular emphasis placed on net punting average. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team's success.



Meanwhile, Duplessis is one of 30 FBS players, including one of four from C-USA, on the preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, which is awarded annually to the nation’s top kicker.



An honorable mention All-American by Phil Steele and a first-team all-conference selection in 2020, Duplessis made 17 of 20 field goals and 40 of 41 extra points, marks that rank second on the school’s single-season list. The San Antonio Cole High School product ranked ninth nationally in field goals made, 21st in field-goal percentage (.850) and 25th in field goals per game (1.42), and he scored a UTSA-record 91 points, good for second in C-USA.



Duplessis owned an FBS-best consecutive field goals made streak for five weeks until it was snapped at 23 in the win over Louisiana Tech. He was named C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week after making three field goals, including the game winner from 29 yards in the second overtime of the 51-48 win over Texas State, and he also went 3 for 3, including a 35-yarder in the fourth that proved to be the difference in the 37-35 win over Middle Tennessee.



Also a standout in the classroom, Duplessis was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-District choice and a C-USA All-Academic Team selection.



Twenty semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award will be named on Nov. 4. A panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists and current NFL kickers selects the top three finalists for the award, announced on Nov. 23. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be unveiled on Dec. 9 during the The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.



The 30th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl Committee, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet at West Palm Beach’s Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 6.



The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.



For more information on the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award and to see the “Stars of the Week” throughout the season, please go to www.lougrozaaward.com. For even more updates on the best kicking performances throughout the season, follow @LouGrozaAward on Twitter.



The Lou Groza and Ray Guy Awards are members of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org and @NCFAA on Twitter to learn more about the association.



Season tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

We have never had this issue before but there are just too many press releases these days. Will combine them all into one thread.

 

[Javi C]

Duplessis named to Wuerffel Trophy watch list



FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — UTSA senior Hunter Duplessis has been named to the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, college football's premier award for community service.



Duplessis is one of 93 FBS players on the Wuerffel Trophy list and this honor comes one day after he landed on the preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, which is awarded annually to the nation’s top kicker. The San Antonio Cole High School product also is a preseason first-team All-Conference USA choice by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele and he is on the C-USA Preseason Academic Watch List.



An honorable mention All-American by Phil Steele and a first-team all-conference selection in 2020, Duplessis made 17 of 20 field goals and 40 of 41 extra points, marks that rank second on the school’s single-season list. He ranked ninth nationally in field goals made, 21st in field-goal percentage (.850) and 25th in field goals per game (1.42), and he scored a UTSA-record 91 points, good for second in C-USA.



Also a standout in the classroom, Duplessis was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-District choice and a C-USA All-Academic Team selection. He graduated in August 2020 with a 3.78 GPA as a double major in information systems and cyber security. A five-time member of the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll, he currently is continuing coursework in technology management.



Duplessis has been active in the community throughout his UTSA career. A two-time selection for the football team’s Leadership Council, Duplessis is a member of the Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and “The Banquet Table” student group. He has volunteered his time with the San Antonio Food Bank, Haven for Hope (local homeless shelter) and UTSA’s Rowdy Readers program that visits local elementary schools.



Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from the University of Florida, Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented in February annually in Fort Walton Beach. The trophy exists to honor college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society, and inspire greater service in the world. The formal announcement of the 2021 recipient will be made on Dec. 9 and the presentation of the 2021 Wuerffel Trophy will occur in February 2022 in Fort Walton Beach.



The Wuerffel Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org and @NCFAA on Twitter to learn more about the association.



Season tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

McCormick cracks watch list for Walter Camp Player of the Year award



NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced the names of 35 “players to watch” for its 2021 Player of the Year award and UTSA running back Sincere McCormick has earned a spot on the list.



This honor is the latest in a bevy of preseason accolades for McCormick, the only player from Conference USA named to the watch list for the Walter Camp Player of the Year. Last week, he landed on preseason watch lists for the Maxwell and Doak Walker Awards in addition to being voted the 2021 C-USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.



A product of Converse Judson High School, McCormick earned 2020 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference accolades during a record-setting sophomore season. He eclipsed UTSA’s single-season marks for rushing yards (1,467), touchdowns (11), carries (249), rushing yards per game (133.4) and all-purpose yards (1,598) en route to being named a second-team All-American by both Phil Steele and the Football Writers Association of America.



McCormick finished second in the nation among FBS players in rushing yardage after logging a conference-best seven 100-yard games, including a school-record 251 in the 49-17 win over North Texas. A preseason All-American by multiple national publications, he was one of five finalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football College Player of the Year and a four-time C-USA Offensive Player of the Week pick last fall.



The Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists in mid-November. The 2021 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, which is voted on by the 130 FBS head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced live on ESPN on Dec. 9. The winner will receive his trophy at the Foundation’s 55th annual national awards banquet on Jan. 15 in New Haven.



2021 Walter Camp Player of Year Preseason Players to Watch

Will Anderson, LB, Alabama

Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn

Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

Matt Corrall, QB, Ole Miss

Dustin Crum, QB, Kent State

Jayden Daniels, QB, Arizona State

JT Daniels, QB, Georgia

Dillon Gabriel, QB, UCF

Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State

Cade Hall, DE, San Jose State

Kyle Hamilton, DB, Notre Dame

Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

Mohamed Ibrahim, RB, Minnesota

Brandon Joseph, DB, Northwestern

D’Eriq King, QB, Miami

Charlie Kolar, TE, Iowa State

DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M

Grayson McCall, QB, Coastal Carolina

John Metchie, WR, Alabama

Sincere McCormick, RB, UTSA

Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Michael Peniz, QB, Indiana

Brock Purdy, QB, Iowa State

Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma

Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati

Bijuan Robinson, RB, Texas

Mike Rose, LB, Iowa State

Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson

Kedon Slovis, QB, USC

Derek Stingley, DB, LSU

Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon

Demetrius Taylor, DE, Appalachian State

Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame

Malik Willis, QB, Liberty



Walter Camp, “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp — a former Yale University athlete and football coach — is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to 11 men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation — a New Haven-based all-volunteer group — was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America
team.



The Walter Camp Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org and @NCFAA on Twitter to learn more about the association.



Season tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

Harris earns spot on Manning Award watch list



Manning Award Watch List Official Press Release — https://allstatesugarbowl.org/manning-watch-list-2021/



NEW ORLEANS — The preseason accolades continue to pour in for UTSA, as quarterback Frank Harris has earned a spot on preseason watch list for the Manning Award sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl.



Harris is one of 32 FBS signal-callers, and the lone Conference USA selection, to appear on the list for the Manning Award, which was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates’ bowl performances in its balloting.



Harris, who also has landed on the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List, has played in 15 games and started 14 contests over the past two seasons for the Roadrunners, completing 225 of 341 passes for 2,116 yards and 15 touchdowns. A product of Schertz Clemens High School, he currently owns UTSA’s career record for completion percentage (.660) and he ranks third all-time in passing yards, passing touchdowns and passing efficiency (127.9).



An honorable mention all-conference selection a season ago, Harris played in 11 contests and drew 10 starts in 2020 to help lead UTSA to a 7-5 record, a runner-up finish in C-USA’s West Division with a 5-2 mark and the program’s second bowl appearance. A member of the Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2020, he set the program’s single-season standard by completing 63.6% (159-250) of his passes for 1,630 yards and 12 TDs and he also rushed for 528 yards and nine scores on 95 carries.



Harris was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 269 yards and a touchdown on 23-of-36 passing and rushing for 104 yards and a pair of scores on 17 carries in the 24-10 victory against SFA last fall. He enjoyed arguably his top performance as a Roadrunner in the 52-21 win over UTEP in November, completing 22 of 26 passes (84.6%) for a season-best 312 yards and three TDs and running for 43 yards and a pair of touchdowns.



Finalists for the Manning Award will be selected prior to the postseason and the winner will be selected by a voting panel, which includes national media and each of the Mannings, after the bowls. The recipient will be announced following the College Football Playoff National Championship.



Season tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

McCormick lands on Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list



TYLER, Texas — UTSA running back Sincere McCormick has been named to the preseason watch list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, it was announced Thursday at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler 15th Annual East Texas Kick-off Luncheon.



McCormick is one of 43 FBS players — including one of four from Conference USA — on this year’s preseason list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award one year after he was one of five finalists for the award.



This honor comes less than one week after McCormick was named to the preseason watch list for the Walter Camp Player of the Year. He also has cracked preseason lists for the Maxwell and Doak Walker Awards in addition to being voted the 2021 C-USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.



A product of Converse Judson High School, McCormick earned 2020 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference accolades during a record-setting sophomore season. He eclipsed UTSA’s single-season marks for rushing yards (1,467), touchdowns (11), carries (249), rushing yards per game (133.4) and all-purpose yards (1,598) en route to being named a second-team All-American by both Phil Steele and the Football Writers Association of America.



McCormick finished second in the nation among FBS players in rushing yardage after logging a conference-best seven 100-yard games, including a school-record 251 in the 49-17 win over North Texas. A preseason All-American by multiple national publications, he was the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football College Player of the Year and a four-time C-USA Offensive Player of the Week pick last fall.



The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity; specifically, tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals. In addition, the nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas high school and/or played at a Texas-based junior college or four-year college.



The watch list announced today will be narrowed to up to 16 semifinalists in November and then up to five finalists in December. They will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans and previous winners. The finalists will be brought to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for Jan. 12, 2022.



Season tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

McCormick adds to preseason honors collection



USA TODAY Sports Preseason All-America Team — https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...2021-all-america-team-six-players/5551314001/



SAN ANTONIO —Sincere McCormick continues to add to his preseason honors collection, as the UTSA running back has been named a preseason second-team All-American by USA TODAY Sports.



McCormick joins Kansas State’s Deuce Vaughn in the second-team backfield, as the Converse Judson High School product now has been tabbed a preseason All-American by five national publications (Athlon Sports, Phil Steele, Sporting News, USA TODAY and Walter Camp). The 2021 Conference USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year also appears on preseason watch lists for the Doak Walker, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose, Maxwell and Walter Camp Player of the Year Awards.



McCormick earned 2020 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference accolades during a record-setting sophomore season. He eclipsed UTSA’s single-season marks for rushing yards (1,467), touchdowns (11), carries (249), rushing yards per game (133.4) and all-purpose yards (1,598) en route to being named a second-team All-American by both Phil Steele and the Football Writers Association of America. He finished second in the nation among FBS players in rushing yardage after logging a conference-best seven 100-yard games, including a school-record 251 in the 49-17 win over North Texas. He was the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football College Player of the Year and a four-time C-USA Offensive Player of the Week pick last fall.



Season tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

Burford, Woolen chosen for Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list



MOBILE, Ala. — UTSA offensive lineman Spencer Burford and cornerback Tariq Woolen have been named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List.



Burford earned second-team all-conference and first-team Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-Texas College honors last season after appearing in 11 games and drawing 10 starts at right or left tackle. The San Antonio Wagner High School product helped the offense break UTSA single-season records for rushing yards (2,585), rushing yards per game (215.4), yards per rush (5.21) and rushing touchdowns (24) last fall. He allowed just three hits on the quarterback and four sacks in 388 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.



Burford helped the Roadrunners pile up a program-record 624 yards of offense, including a school-record 443 on the ground, in a 49-17 win over North Texas in the 2020 regular season finale. He started at left tackle in the 52-21 victory over UTEP, helping the Roadrunners tally 600 yards of offense, and he drew the starting nod at right tackle and helped the offense pile up 330 rushing yards in the 51-48 double-overtime win at Texas State in the season opener.



Woolen appeared in 11 contests and made seven starts at cornerback last fall in his first full season on the defensive side of the ball. He registered 35 tackles, including 20 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, and also posted four pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and one interception. The Fort Worth native earned the start in the season opener and logged five tackles, including a sack for a 10-yard loss, and one QB hurry in the 51-48 double-overtime win at Texas State. He made five stops and broke up four passes in the 24-10 win over SFA and he had five tackles and his first career pick in the 37-35 victory against Middle Tennessee. Woolen turned in a season-high six stops against No. 16 Louisiana in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.



A former wide receiver who owns 24 catches for 263 yards and a touchdown as a Roadrunner, Woolen posted eye-opening numbers this summer during strength and conditioning testing. He leaped 11 feet, five inches in the broad jump and clocked a time of 4.34 second in the 40-yard dash in which he hit 23.33 miles per hour. Earlier this week, he was tabbed No. 6 out of 101 players on Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks List.



The Reese’s Senior Bowl is the nation’s most prestigious college all-star game, as it annually serves as the first step of the NFL Draft process. The Reese’s Senior Bowl had 106 total players drafted and 36 selected in the first three rounds this year’s NFL Draft. The 106 figure represents 41% of the NFL Draft. This year’s game will be held Feb. 5, 2022, and broadcast on the NFL Network. Practices will be live on ESPN and NFL Network hosts a daily recap show each evening in primetime.



Former UTSA star and current New Orleans Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport played in the 2018 Reese’s Senior Bowl following a senior season that saw him earn 2017 C-USA Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference honors.



Season tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[quisache]

Lots of buzz around woolen. Think that still the case if he hadn’t switched to cb? Seems like that was a smart move by coaches and woolen. Thoughts?

 

[cokermania]

Lots of buzz around woolen. Think that still the case if he hadn’t switched to cb? Seems like that was a smart move by coaches and woolen. Thoughts?

I agree. His receiving skills weren't good enough at WR to be an elite talent but his size and surprising physicality at CB make him unique.

 

[Javi C]

Maka makes watch list for Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award



HONOLULU — UTSA offensive lineman Ahofitu Maka has been named to the watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday.



Maka is one of 63 FBS players on the watch list for the award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.



A second-team All-Conference USA selection a year ago, Maka has started 23 contests — all but one at center — over the last two seasons for the Roadrunners. He made 10 starts at center and one at right guard in 2020, helping the offense break UTSA single-season records for rushing yards (2,585), rushing yards per game (215.4), yards per rush (5.21) and rushing touchdowns (24). The Honolulu, Hawai’i, native helped pave the way for All-America running back Sincere McCormick, who rushed for a school-record 1,467 yards and 11 touchdowns.



Maka started at center in the record-setting 2020 regular season finale that saw UTSA pile up a program-record 624 yards of offense, including a school-record 443 on the ground, in a 49-17 win over of North Texas. He also spearheaded a line that helped the offense pile up 330 rushing yards in the 51-48 double-overtime win at Texas State.



A standout in the classroom, Maka was a 2020-21 CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team selection. He is a two-time C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll member and a C-USA Academic Medal recipient.



The winner of the 2021 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on Dec. 14. Five finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 30. The presentation of the award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner on Jan. 21, 2022, at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized the following day at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl.



The watch list candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2021 season progresses. The finalists and winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee which includes former NFL Player and Inaugural Inductee Jack "The Throwin' Samoan" Thompson (Chairman), Coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL Player and Inaugural Inductee Olin Kreutz, Inaugural Inductee and past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, former NFL Player and Class of 2015 Inductee Ray Schoenke, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, and NFL Network commentator Steve Wyche.



Season and single-game tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here. Payment plans for all season ticket packages are available.



-UTSA-

 

[Javi C]

Burford, Woolen land on NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board



SAN ANTONIO — UTSA offensive lineman Spencer Burford and cornerback Tariq Woolen have been named to the 2021-22 NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl Big Board.



Earlier this month, the duo earned spots on the Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List.



Burford earned second-team all-conference and first-team Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-Texas College honors last season after appearing in 11 games and drawing 10 starts at right or left tackle. The San Antonio Wagner High School product helped the offense break UTSA single-season records for rushing yards (2,585), rushing yards per game (215.4), yards per rush (5.21) and rushing touchdowns (24) last fall. He allowed just three hits on the quarterback and four sacks in 388 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.



Burford helped the Roadrunners pile up a program-record 624 yards of offense, including a school-record 443 on the ground, in a 49-17 win over North Texas in the 2020 regular season finale. He started at left tackle in the 52-21 victory over UTEP, helping the Roadrunners tally 600 yards of offense, and he drew the starting nod at right tackle and helped the offense pile up 330 rushing yards in the 51-48 double-overtime win at Texas State in the season opener.



Woolen appeared in 11 contests and made seven starts at cornerback last fall in his first full season on the defensive side of the ball. He registered 35 tackles, including 20 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, and also posted four pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and one interception. The Fort Worth native earned the start in the season opener and logged five tackles, including a sack for a 10-yard loss, and one QB hurry in the 51-48 double-overtime win at Texas State. He made five stops and broke up four passes in the 24-10 win over SFA and he had five tackles and his first career pick in the 37-35 victory against Middle Tennessee. Woolen turned in a season-high six stops against No. 16 Louisiana in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.



A former wide receiver who owns 24 catches for 263 yards and a touchdown as a Roadrunner, Woolen posted eye-opening numbers this summer during strength and conditioning testing. He leaped 11 feet, five inches in the broad jump and clocked a time of 4.34 second in the 40-yard dash in which he hit 23.33 miles per hour. Earlier this month, he was tabbed No. 6 out of 101 players on Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks List.



The NFL Players Association will produce the 10th annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl game at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Since 2011, the NFLPA Bowl has provided senior NFL prospects with an exceptional platform to showcase their talents to all 32 NFL teams as well as a one-of-a-kind experience that educates participants about the business of football. In the past two years alone, 87 NFLPA Bowl participants have been invited to the NFL Combine and 58 were drafted by NFL clubs.



Season and single-game tickets for UTSA’s 2021 home schedule are on sale now. Please call or text 210-458-UTSA (8872) or click here.



-UTSA-