Clemson QB Cade Klubnik and Illinois DB Xavier Scott named Walter Camp National FBS Players of the Week, presented by The Heights Group at Morgan Stanley
The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced the Football Bowl Subdivision National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games ending September 7, presented by The Heights Group at Morgan Stanley.
About the Award: This is the 21st year that the Walter Camp Football Foundation will honor one offensive and one defensive player as its national Football Bowl Subdivision player of the week during the regular season. It is the nation’s longest running Player of Week award.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior, Quarterback, Austin, TX
Cade Klubnik amassed seven total touchdowns (five passing, two rushing) in just one half of play and set a school record for pass efficiency rating (277.9), finishing 24-of-26 (.923 pct.) for 378 yards in the Tigers’ 66-20 win over App State. He became the first FBS quarterback in the last 25 years with five passing touchdowns, multiple rushing touchdowns, and a completion percentage of 90.0-percent or better in a game.
Notes: It is the 13th time a Clemson player has earned Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004, and the Tigers’ first offensive honoree since RB Travis Etienne (Sept. 1, 2019).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior, Defensive Back, Riviera Bach, FL
Xavier Scott forced three turnovers in Illinois’ 23-17 win over #19 Kansas. Scott collected two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, one forced fumble, 1.0 quarterback sacks and had eight solo tackles to lead Illinois to its highest-ranked nonconference win since 1995. He recorded the game-ending strip-sack, forced fumble on the final play to secure the win for the Fighting Illini (2-0).
Notes: Xavier Scott is the fourth Illinois player to earn Walter Camp National FBS Player of Week honors since 2004, and first since DB Sydney Brown (Nov. 27, 2022).
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 eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation (www.waltercamp.org) – 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 Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 13 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.
Global Sports & Entertainment is a dedicated division of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management that focuses exclusively on the complex financial needs of professional athletes and entertainers. Our division grew out of an understanding that every sports and entertainment profession has its own unique characteristics, earnings profile and career span. Our clients need the support of advisors who understand how their money flows from their work to their wallet and can help them craft innovative financial strategies that match their lifestyle and career trajectory.
The Heights Group is led by brothers Ryan Heald and Brooke Heald, both of whom are former collegiate student-athletes and have earned the rare distinction of Morgan Stanley Global Sports and Entertainment Director, a designation earned by fewer than 1% of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors. Ryan is a NFLPA Registered Institutional Player Financial Advisor with more than 20 years of experience working with top performers in sports and entertainment. The Heights Group started working with many talented clients and their families before they signed their first pro contracts, helping them understand, and prepare for, the complex financial challenges they would face as their careers progressed. The Heights Group at Morgan Stanley serves as their go-to advisors, always ready to help them sort through any financial issue and make informed decisions while pursuing their most important life goals.
Visit The Heights Group at Morgan Stanley at https://advisor.morganstanley.com/the-heights-group
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan and UNLV LB Jackson Woodard named Walter Camp National FBS Players of the Week, presented by The Heights Group at Morgan Stanley
The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced the Football Bowl Subdivision National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games ending September 4, presented by The Heights Group at Morgan Stanley.
About the Award: This is the 21st year that the Walter Camp Football Foundation will honor one offensive and one defensive player as its national Football Bowl Subdivision player of the week during the regular season. It is the nation’s longest running Player of Week award.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior, Wide Receiver, Waimanalo, HI
Tetairoa McMillan had 10 catches for 304 yards and four touchdowns in 21st-ranked Arizona’s 61-39 victory over New Mexico. He became the first player in FBS history to have a game with 10-plus receptions, 300-plus receiving yards, 30-plus yards per reception and four-plus receiving touchdowns. His 304 receiving yards were the second most in Big 12 history and his four touchdowns tied for the third best in league history.
Notes: It is the sixth time an Arizona player has earned Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004, and the first since former Wildcat quarterback Khalil Tate (October 8, 2017).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior, Linebacker, Little Rock, Ark./Little Rock Christian HS
Jackson Woodard recorded a game-high 11 tackles in UNLV’s season-opening 27-7 win at Houston. He had four tackles for loss, including a career-best three quarterback sacks. Woodard also recorded one pass breakup and helped the Rebels hold Houston to just 38 yards rushing and 247 yards of total offense. The win was UNLV’s first against a Big 12 opponent since 2008.
Notes: Jackson Woodard is the first UNLV player to earn Walter Camp National FBS Player of Week honors since 2004.
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 eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation (www.waltercamp.org) – 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 Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.
Global Sports & Entertainment is a dedicated division of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management that focuses exclusively on the complex financial needs of professional athletes and entertainers. Our division grew out of an understanding that every sports and entertainment profession has its own unique characteristics, earnings profile and career span. Our clients need the support of advisors who understand how their money flows from their work to their wallet and can help them craft innovative financial strategies that match their lifestyle and career trajectory.
The Heights Group is led by brothers Ryan Heald and Brooke Heald, both of whom are former collegiate student-athletes and have earned the rare distinction of Morgan Stanley Global Sports and Entertainment Director, a designation earned by fewer than 1% of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors. Ryan is a NFLPA Registered Institutional Player Financial Advisor with more than 20 years of experience working with top performers in sports and entertainment. The Heights Group started working with many talented clients and their families before they signed their first pro contracts, helping them understand, and prepare for, the complex financial challenges they would face as their careers progressed. The Heights Group at Morgan Stanley serves as their go-to advisors, always ready to help them sort through any financial issue and make informed decisions while pursuing their most important life goals. Visit The Heights Group at Morgan Stanley at https://advisor.morganstanley.com/the-heights-group
Walter Camp 2024 Player of Year Preseason Watch List, presented by David McDermott Lexus of New Haven
The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced the names of fifty “players to watch” for its 2024 Player of the Year award, the nation’s fourth-oldest individual college football accolade, and presented by David McDermott Lexus of New Haven.
The 2024 watch list includes 41 offensive players (20 quarterbacks, 11 running backs, five receivers/tight ends and two offensive lineman) along with nine from the defensive side of the ball.
Players from 39 different schools representing 10 conferences (including independents) are represented on the preseason watch list. Ohio State and Notre Dame each have three players on the watch list, while seven schools (Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Ole Miss and Penn State) each have two.
LSU’s Jayden Daniels, now with the Washington Redskins, was the 2023 Walter Camp Player of Year.
“We are proud to continue the great work of Walter Camp and recognize the best college football players in the nation,” Foundation president John Barbarotta said. “This watch list is a great start to what is shaping up to be another exciting year of college football.”
Earlier in the summer, the Foundation announced its 2024 preseason All-American teams. Walter Camp is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious collegiate football All-America team.
The 2024 Player of Year watch list will be narrowed to 10 semi-finalists in early November and three finalists will be announced on November 26. The 2024 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, which is voted on by the 133 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced on ESPN’s College Football Awards Show on December 12.
Please note: Appearing on the preseason Watch List is not a requirement for a player to win the Walter Camp award or be named to the All-America team.
2024 Walter Camp Player of Year Preseason Players to Watch
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Zachariah Branch, WR/KR, Southern California
Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech
Antario Brown, RB, Northern Illinois
Byrum Brown, QB, South Florida
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
Howard Cross III, DT, Notre Dame
Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas
Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Noah Fifita, QB, Arizona
TJ Finley, QB, Western Kentucky
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
Garrett Greene, QB, West Virginia
Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Jamal Haynes, RB, Georgia Tech
Seth Henigan, QB, Memphis
Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
Travis Hunter, WR/DB, Colorado, WR/DB
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Grayson McCall, QB, North Carolina State
Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
Jordan McCloud, QB, Texas State
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Malachi Moore, DB, Alabama
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
Cameron Rising, QB, Utah
Kaidon Salter, QB, Liberty
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
Malaki Starks, DB, Georgia
Terion Stewart, RB, Bowling Green
Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
D.J. Uiagalelei, QB, Florida State
Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Xavier Watts, DB, Notre Dame
Conner Weigman, QB, Texas A&M
Ricky White, WR, UNLV
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 eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation (www.waltercamp.org) – 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. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit the NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a 15-day period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award’s preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2024 preseason watch list calendar:
Tue., Aug. 6: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 7: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 8: Davey O’Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 9: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy
Mon., Aug. 12: Bednarik Award
Tue., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
About McDermott Lexus of New Haven
David McDermott Lexus of New Haven is located at 655 Main Street in East Haven, CT, convenient from anywhere in the North East directly off of I-95. Visit them at https://www.mcdermottlexusofnewhaven.com/
About Lexus
Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 244 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With seven models incorporating LexusHybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers eight F SPORT models, one F performance model and one F model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.
Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces Preseason All-America Teams
2024 will mark the 135th edition of the nation’s oldest college football All-America team
A Little History
Walter Camp is the nation’s oldest college football All-America team. 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 eleven 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.
Typically announced in early December, the Walter Camp All-America teams are selected by the FBS head coaches and sports information directors.
- From 1889 to 1964, eleven players were selected.
- In 1965, both offensive and defensive teams were picked.
- In 1972, the first punter (Ray Guy, Southern Mississippi) was honored.
- In 1975, the first placekicker (Chris Bahr, Penn State) was selected.
- In 1998, the first-ever Second Team All-America team was recognized.
- In 2001, the first kick returner (Herb Haygood, Michigan State) was picked.
Good to See You Again
- Sixteen players who earned 2023 Walter Camp All-America First and Second Team honors are on the 2024 preseason list, led by running backs Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State) and Omarion Hampton (North Carolina).
- Placekicker Graham Nicholson (Alabama) is on the First Team list. Last year, Nicholson earned First Team honors and the Groza Award at Miami (Ohio).
- Three 2023 First Team defensive honorees – linebacker Jason Henderson (Old Dominion) and defensive backs Xavier Watts (Notre Dame) and Malaki Starks (Georgia) – are 2024 preseason First Team All-Americans.
- Two kick returners honored in 2023 are on the 2024 preseason list – Zachariah Branch (USC) and Jayden Harrison (Notre Dame – transfer from Marshall).
2024 Walter Camp Preseason All-America Teams
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Wide Receiver: Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)
Tight End: Colston Loveland (Michigan)
Offensive Line: Clay Webb (Jacksonville State) #, Tate Ratledge (Georgia), Tyler Booker (Alabama), Will Campbell (LSU)
Center: Cooper Mays (Tennessee)
Quarterback: Carson Beck (Georgia)
Running Back: Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)*, Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)*
Placekicker: Graham Nicholson (Alabama)*
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Line: James Pearce, Jr. (Tennessee), Howard Cross III (Notre Dame) #, Ashton Gillotte (Louisville) #, Tyleik Williams (Ohio State) #
Linebacker: Jay Higgins (Iowa) #, Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma) #, Jason Henderson (Old Dominion)*
Defensive Back: Xavier Watts (Notre Dame)*, Travis Hunter Jr. (Colorado), Malaki Starks (Georgia)*, Will Johnson (Michigan)
Punter: Alex Mastromanno (Florida State)
Kick Returner: Zachariah Branch (USC)#s
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
Wide Receiver: Ricky White III (UNLV), Luthur Burden III (Missouri)
Tight End: Bryson Nesbit (North Carolina)
Offensive Line: Luke Kandra (Cincinnati) #, Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas), Ajani Cornelius (Oregon), Wyatt Milum (West Virginia)
Center: Parker Brailsford (Alabama)
Quarterback: Quinn Ewers (Texas)
Running Back: Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State), Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech)
Placekicker: Andrew Borregales (Miami)
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Line: Peter Woods (Clemson), Mason Graham (Michigan), Deone Walker (Kentucky), Landon Jackson (Arkansas)
Linebacker: Harold Perkins (LSU), Barrett Carter (Clemson), Abdul Carter (Penn State)
Defensive Back: Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), Dillon Thieneman (Purdue), Denzel Burke (Ohio State) #, Caleb Downs (Ohio State)
Punter: James Burnip (Alabama)
Kick Returner: Jayden Harrison (Notre Dame)*
* – 2023 First Team Walter Camp All-America selection
# – 2023 Second Team Walter Camp All-America selection
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 eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation (www.waltercamp.org) – 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 Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s website, www.ncfaa.org
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Retired Iowa Sports Information Director Steve Roe to be Honored by Walter Camp Foundation
Recently retired University of Iowa associate athletic director of athletic communications Steve Roe will be honored by the Walter Camp Football Foundation at its 57th annual National Awards Dinner on March 16.
The Walter Camp Sports Communicator award is named in memory of Bill Keish, who was a longtime Foundation member and chairman of the public relations committee. The award originated as the Foundation’s “Media Appreciation” award. It was awarded to local sports media professionals in recognition of their contributions on behalf of the WCFF. It has recently been expanded to a broader scope, recognizing contributions to sports communications. Roe joins former USC sports communicator Tim Tessalone as recipients of the award.
Roe retired last July after 33-plus years of service at Iowa. He joined the Iowa staff as an assistant SID in September of 1990 and assumed the department’s top position in 2011 after roles as assistant and associate sports information director.
During that time, Roe helped promote a litany of Walter Camp All-Americans, including 15 First Team selections and 11 Second Team honorees.
Last summer, Roe was inducted into the College Sports Communicators’ Hall of Fame.
Prior to Iowa, Roe worked at Drake University as SID (1985-88) and at Northwestern State (La.) as head SID (1980-85).
University at Albany’s Greg Gattuso Named Walter Camp 2023 Football Championship Subdivision Coach of the Year
University at Albany’s Greg Gattuso has been selected as Walter Camp’s 2023 Football Championship Subdivision Coach of the Year. This is the first year the Walter Camp Foundation has given this award.
Under Gattuso’s leadership, UAlbany’s 2023 season was the best in program history. The Great Danes finished with an 11-4 overall record, going 7-1 in the highly competitive Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). UAlbany claimed its first-ever conference title, sharing it with Villanova and Richmond. The Great Danes defeated Villanova midway through the season, 31-10 at home, and took down Richmond, 41-13, in the second round of the FCS Playoffs.
UAlbany was awarded the NCAA’s #5 seed in the FCS playoffs and earned a first-round bye. Following its second-round win over Richmond, the Great Danes traveled to #4 Idaho and defeated the Vandals, 30-22. UAlbany’s 2023 season came to an end in the semifinals, falling to top-seeded and eventual national champion, South Dakota State.
Up front, UAlbany led the nation in team sacks – led by Walter Camp FCS All-America defensive end Anton Juncaj (15.0 sacks). Juncaj finished as the nation’s leader in sacks, and finished fifth in the Buck Buchanan Award voting.
Gattuso was also named CAA Coach of the Year, FCS Football Central Coach of the Year and ECAC Coach of the Year in 2023. Gattuso has been the head coach at UAlbany for 10 seasons, and previously was the head coach at Duquesne University (97-32 record, 12 years) and served as an assistant coach at Maryland and his alma mater Penn State, where he played for the Nittany Lions and graduated in 1983.
Gattuso will be honored along with FCS Player of the Year Jaden Shirden (Monmouth, along with the members of the 2023 Walter Camp FBS All-America Team, Player of Year Jayden Daniels (LSU), Coach of Year Kalen DeBoer (Washington… now at Alabama) and Connecticut Players of the Year Tyler Van Dyke and Justin Barron at the Foundation’s 57th National Awards Gala on Saturday, March 16 in New Haven. National Awards Gala tickets are $350 and available at https://waltercamp.org/product/awards-dinner/
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 eleven 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. Visit www.waltercamp.org for more information.
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