Walter Camp Football Foundation Enters New Era; Names Paddle Agency as Agency of Record

The Walter Camp Football Foundation, caretaker of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious college football All-America team, today announced it is entering a bold new chapter with the appointment of Paddle Agency as its exclusive Agency of Record.

This strategic partnership marks a renewed focus on growth, innovation, and expanding the Foundation’s impact across the evolving college football landscape. With a legacy dating back to Walter Camp, long considered the “Father of the American Football,” the Foundation is positioning itself for the future—reimagining how its platform engages fans, partners, and the broader football community.

Paddle Agency, a boutique sponsorship and partnerships firm founded by Johnathan Fisher, will lead all corporate partnership development and strategic brand initiatives on behalf of the Foundation.

“Walter Camp has always represented the very best of college football,” said John Barbarotta, President of the Walter Camp Football Foundation. “As we look ahead, we see tremendous opportunity to elevate our awards platform and connect with partners in new and meaningful ways. Paddle Agency brings the experience, relationships, and strategic vision to help guide us into this next era.”

The partnership will be led on behalf of Paddle Agency by founder Johnathan Fisher and veteran sports marketing executive Ralph Ockenfels, who bring decades of experience in building high-impact sponsorship platforms across sports and entertainment.

“The Walter Camp Football Foundation is the custodian of one of the most iconic and respected brands in all of sports,” said Johnathan Fisher, Founder of Paddle Agency. “To help shape its next chapter is both an honor and an incredible opportunity. There is meaningful momentum ahead, and we’re excited to build partnerships that reflect the legacy of Walter Camp while positioning it for the future.”

Walter Camp’s legacy in the game is unmatched, particularly through the tradition of the Walter Camp All-America Team,” said Ralph Ockenfels, a 35-year NFL veteran. “We see tremendous opportunity to build on that foundation in a way that resonates across the entire football community.”

As part of this new chapter, the Foundation and Paddle Agency will work collaboratively to introduce forward-thinking partnerships, enhance year-round engagement, and create new platforms for brands to align with one of the most trusted names in college football.

Additional announcements and initiatives are expected in the coming months.

About the Walter Camp Football Foundation

Considered the “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp introduced the play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side in 1880. Nine years later, Mr. Camp, then the Yale University head coach, selected the first-ever college football All-America team. 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. Visit www.waltercamp.org for more information.

About Paddle Agency

Paddle Agency is a boutique sponsorship and partnership development firm specializing in helping properties unlock revenue and build meaningful brand relationships. Founded by Johnathan Fisher, Paddle Agency brings a nimble, relationship-driven approach to partnership strategy and execution.

 

For more information, please contact:

Johnathan Fisher, Paddle Agency (310) 221-2612  fisher@paddleagency.com

Al Carbone, Walter Camp Foundation (203) 671-4421 publicity@waltercamp.org

 

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Sixteen 2025 Walter Camp All-Americans Selected in First Round of 2026 NFL Draft; 30 Drafted Overall

Sixteen former Walter Camp All-Americans were selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, led by 2025 Walter Camp Player of the Year Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana), who was the first overall selection by the Las Vegas Raiders.

All told, 30 All-Americans were selected in the three-day, seven-round draft, which was held in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mendoza becomes the 12th Walter Camp Player of the Year winner (first awarded in 1967) to also be selected as the first pick in the NFL Draft.    Current Chicago Bear quarterback and 2022 Walter Camp Player of the Year Caleb Williams (USC) was selected first in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Other Walter Camp Players of Year who were drafted first — Joe Burrow, USC, 2020; Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, 2018; Jameis Winston, Florida State, 2015; Andrew Luck, Stanford, 2012; Cam Newton, Auburn, 2011; Vinny Testaverde, Miami, 1987; Bo Jackson, Auburn, 1986; Billy Sims, Oklahoma, 1980; Jim Plunkett, Stanford, 1971; O.J. Simpson, USC, 1969

The Walter Camp All-America Teams, first selected by the “Father of American Football” Walter Camp in 1889, is the nation’s oldest All-America team.   The 2025 team was the 136th edition.  

 

First Team All-America

Fernando Mendoza, QB Indiana – 1st round, 1st pick, Las Vegas Raiders

David Bailey, LB, Texas Tech – 1st round, 2nd pick, New York Jets

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame – 1st round, 3rd pick, Arizona Cardinals

Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State – 1st round, 5th pick, New York Giants

Mansoor Delane, DB, LSU – 1st round, 6th pick, Kansas City Chiefs

Spencer Fano, OL, Utah – 1st round, 9th pick, Cleveland Browns

Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami – 1st round, 10th pick, New York Giants

Caleb Downs, DB, Ohio State – 1st round, 11th pick, Dallas Cowboys

Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama – 1st round, 12th pick, Miami Dolphins

Rueben Bain, Jr., DL, Miami – 1st round, 15th pick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Makai Lemon, WR, USC – 1st round, 20th pick, Philadelphia Eagles

Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M, 2nd round, 41st pick, Cincinnati Bengals

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech, 2nd round, 43rd pick, Miami Dolphins

Eli Stowers, T, Vanderbilt, 2nd round, 54th pick, Philadelphia Eagles

Kaden Wetjen, KR/WR, Iowa, 4th round, 121st pick, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

Second Team All-Americans

Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State – 1st round, 14th pick, Baltimore Ravens

Kenyon Sadiq, DL, Oregon – 1st round, 16th pick, New York Jets

Dillon Thieneman, DB, Oregon – 1st round, 25th pick, Chicago Bears

Keylan Rutledge, OL, Georgia Tech – 1st round, 26th pick, Houston Texans

Jadarian Price, KR/RB, Notre Dame – 1st round, 32nd pick, Seattle Seahawks

D’Angelo Ponds, DB, Indiana – 2nd round, 50th pick, New York Jets

CJ Allen, LB, Georgia – 2nd round, 53rd pick, Indianapolis Colts

Keagan Trost, OL, Missouri – 3rd round, 93rd pick, Los Angeles Rams

Skyler Bell, WR, Connecticut – 4th round, 125th pick, Buffalo Bills

Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska, 5th round, 161st pick, Kansas City Chiefs

Hezekiah Masses, CB, California, 5th round, 175th pick, Las Vegas Raiders

Brian Parker II, C, Duke, 6th round, 189th pick, Cincinnati Bengals

Caden Curry, Edge, Ohio State, 6th round, 214th pick, Indianapolis Colts

Landon Robinson, OL, Navy, 7th round, 226th pick, Cincinnati Bengals

Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo, 7th round, 257th pick, Denver Broncos