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A diverse, talented group of 13 FCS college football players are finalists for the 2024 FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award, now in its 10th anniversary season. In November, each finalist is being profiled on TheAnalyst.com for his excellence both on and off the field.
Elon’s Caleb Curtain established himself as one of the top defensive backs at the FCS level last season, named to Stats Perform All-America second team.
His leadership on the field then led to him being selected as a team captain and a first-team preseason All-American this year.
Still, the redshirt junior defensive back’s impact off the field also has led him to being a finalist for the 2024 FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award.
The 10th annual award, named after the late schoolteacher and the wife of legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson, is presented to a student-athlete in FCS college football who excels on the playing field, in the classroom and across the community. Caleb is one of 13 finalists – one from each NCAA Division I FCS conference.
The winner will be announced on Dec. 10 and honored at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas. (Here’s a look at FCS National Awards history).
Caleb Curtain’s involvement in the community stems from his leadership as the president of the Sigma Mu chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He also serves as the treasurer of Elon’s National Pan-Hellenic Council, which governs all the historically African American fraternities and sororities on campus.
He’s been heavily involved in the fraternity’s community service, including activities with the Special Olympics and the “Get Out the Vote” campaign. His impact extends to the locker room, where he’s served on the Elon football player’s council for four consecutive years. He earned the 2023 Stein H. Basnight Award as the univerity’s top male athlete.
Curtain finds similar success in the classroom, where he has been named to the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. He was named a semifinalist for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy, awarded annually to the top scholar-athlete in all divisions of college football.
His Doris Robinson Award candidacy includes:
On the Field
- Selected for the 2024 preseason watch list of the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the best defensive player in FCS football
- Named the CAA’s 2024 preseason defensive player of the year
- Earned 2023 Stats Perform FCS All-America second-team honors, followed by 2024 preseason first-team honors
In the Classroom
- Has earned a 3.24 cumulative GPA, majoring in Business Administration and Marketing
- Named a semifinalist for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy
- Named to the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll
In the Community
- Serves on the executive board of the National Pan-Hellenic Council at Elon
- President of the Sigma Mu chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity
- Member of the AFCA Good Works Team
2024 FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award Finalists
Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington, WR (Big Sky Conference)
James Conway, Fordham, LB (Patriot League)
Caleb Curtain, Elon, DB (CAA Football)
Paxton DeLaurent, Southeast Missouri, QB (Big South-OVC Football Association)
Jewelz-Unique Demps, East Texas A&M, DB (Southland Conference)
Mark Gronowski, South Dakota State, QB (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Chandler Kirton, Austin Peay, OL (United Athletic Conference)
Reuben Lowery III, Chattanooga, DB (Southern Conference)
Matt Noll, Jackson State, P (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Julian Rawlins, Davidson, DL (Pioneer Football League)
Ben Sahakian, Cornell, LB (Ivy League)
Dan Toatley, Central Connecticut State, DL (Northeast Conference)
Juan Velarde, North Carolina Central, P (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
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