CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference had 10 football players named to the 2024 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year watch list, it was announced on Thursday. The ACC’s 10 nominees were the second-most of all conferences among the 52 total players on the watch list for the eighth annual award.
The award, presented by Albertsons and Tom Thumb, is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player’s leadership, both on and off the field. Leadership is a term synonymous with Jason Witten, who, in addition to becoming one of the best tight ends in the history of the sport, served as one of football’s most prominent role models during his 16-year pro career. In addition to winning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2012, Witten also received the Bart Starr Award, Pro Football Weekly’s Humanitarian of the Year Award, Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP and the Bob Lilly Award, among many others. All of those honors have recognized his work in the community, achievements on the field and dedication to his teammates and family.
The 10 ACC nominees represent 10 different member institutions – Justin Barron of Syracuse, Brandon Cleveland of NC State, Brandon George of Pitt, Kevin Knowles II of Florida State, Jaylin Lane of Virginia Tech, Phil Mafah of Clemson, Fernando Mendoza of Cal, Taylor Morin of Wake Forest, Kaimon Rucker of North Carolina and Tristan Sinclair of Stanford.
Twenty semifinalists will be announced on October 22. Three finalists will be named for the award on Monday, December 16. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on February 12, 2025.
Last year, Mike Hollins of Virginia won the seventh annual award. The first six Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year awards were presented to Shaquem Griffin of UCF in 2017, D’Cota Dixon of Wisconsin in 2018, Trey Smith of Tennessee in 2019, Sam Ehlinger of Texas in 2020, Joshua Paschal of Kentucky in 2021 and Deslin Alexandre of Pittsburgh in 2022.
The winner of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year will also receive a $10,000 contribution in his name to his school’s athletic scholarship fund. The…
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