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The FCS National Awards honor the best of the best across college football’s Division I subdivision. This 2024 season banquet, featuring the FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award and five other awards, is scheduled for Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas.
A diverse, talented group of 13 FCS college football players – one from each conference involved in the Division I subdivision – have been named finalists for the 2024 FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award.
The Doris Robinson Award is celebrating its 10th anniversary season and honors an FCS student-athlete who exemplifies excellence on the field, in the classroom and across the community. The values embody the leadership and integrity championed by Doris Robinson, a former schoolteacher and the wife of legendary Grambling State University coach Eddie Robinson.
FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award Finalists
Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington, WR (Big Sky Conference)
Majoring in Health & Physical Education, 3.93 GPA – Profile
James Conway, Fordham, LB (Patriot League)
Majoring in Business Administration, 3.57 GPA – Profile
Caleb Curtain, Elon, DB (CAA Football)
Majoring in Business Administration/Marketing, 3.24 GPA – Profile
Paxton DeLaurent, Southeast Missouri, QB (Big South-OVC Football Association)
Majoring in Physical Education (K-12), 3.95 GPA – Profile
Jewelz-Unique Demps, East Texas A&M, DB (Southland Conference)
Degree in Technology Management, 3.81 GPA; Supply Chain Management master’s program – Profile
Mark Gronowski, South Dakota State, QB (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Graduate in Mechanical Engineering, 3.76 GPA; Engineering Management master’s program – Profile
Chandler Kirton, Austin Peay, OL (United Athletic Conference)
Majoring in Management, 3.94 GPA – Profile
Reuben Lowery III, Chattanooga, DB (Southern Conference)
Graduate in Mechanical Engineering (3.786 GPA); currently in post-baccalaureate program – Profile
Matt Noll, Jackson State, P (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Degree in Sports Science at Delaware State, 3.49 GPA; master’s program at Jackson State – Profile
Julian Rawlins, Davidson, DL (Pioneer Football League)
Majoring in Biology (Public Health minor), 3.475 GPA – Profile
Ben Sahakian, Cornell, LB (Ivy League)
Majoring in Biological Studies, 3.5 GPA – Profile
Dan Toatley, Central Connecticut, DL (Northeast Conference)
Degree in Criminology, 3.56 GPA; Criminal Justice master’s program – Profile
Juan Velarde, North Carolina Central, P (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Degree in Business Administration (Entrepreneurship concentration), 4.00 GPA; master’s program – Profile
The collaboration between FedEx and the Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award underscores a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of student-athletes, ensuring they are well-prepared for success beyond their collegiate careers. Through the Doris Robinson Award and the Career Expose – College Pathways Program, FedEx continues to invest in the future of young leaders, providing them with the tools and resources needed to thrive in the professional world.
Each finalist will be profiled on TheAnalyst.com in November before the recipient will be announced on Dec. 10, then honored at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas.
In addition to the FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award, the awards banquet will celebrate the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year) and, new this year, the HBCU FCS Player of the Year Award, presented by Urban Edge Network’s HBCU+ streaming service.
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