University of North Carolina Athletics
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FWAA Names Howell A Semifinalist For Freshman Player of the Year Award
December 23, 2019 | Football
Record-setting Carolina quarterback Sam Howell has been named a semifinalist for the 2019 FWAA Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Year Award.
Howell, the ACC's Offensive Rookie and overall Rookie of the Year, leads the conference in passing yards (3,347) and touchdowns (35). His 35 passing touchdowns rank fourth in FBS this season, and broke the previous single-season school record set by Mitchell Trubisky in 2016 (30). He also surpassed Trevor Lawrence's 30 passing touchdowns from last season, giving him the most passing touchdowns by a true freshman in FBS history.
The award recognizes the most outstanding freshman player in the FBS ranks. Redshirt freshmen are eligible to receive the award as well.
The 2018 winner, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, completed 65.2% of his passes for 3,280 yards while leading the Tigers to a perfect 15-0 season that culminated with a victory in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Sam Howell, University of North Carolina, Quarterback — Howell finished the regular season with 3,347 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions. His 35 passing touchdowns rank fourth in FBS this season, and he broke the previous single-season record at North Carolina set by Mitchell Trubisky in 2016 (30). He also surpassed Trevor Lawrence's 30 passing touchdowns from last season, giving him the most passing touchdowns by a true freshman in FBS history. Howell has been named the ACC's Offensive Rookie and overall Rookie of the Year, as he led the conference in passing yards and touchdowns.
Gregory Rousseau, University of Miami, Defensive Lineman, Redshirt — Rousseau was named the ACC's Defensive Rookie of the Year. He recorded 18 tackles for loss and 14 sacks throughout the 2019 campaign. Rousseau's 14 sacks are tied for second in FBS this season, trailing only Ohio State's Chase Young. It was also the fourth-most sacks in a single season in Miami football history, and the most by a freshman. He recorded four sacks against rival Florida State on November 2, a game the Hurricanes won 27-10.
Kedon Slovis, University of Southern California, Quarterback — Slovis was named the Pac-12's Offensive Freshman of the Year. He finished the regular season ranked fourth nationally in completion percentage (71.8) and eighth nationally in yards per game (294.7). His 515-yard performance against rival UCLA made him the first USC quarterback to throw for 500+ yards in a single game, and his current streak of three consecutive games with 400+ passing yards is a school record.
Derek Stingley Jr., Louisiana State University, Defensive Back — Stingley led all freshmen with six interceptions this season, including two against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. He was named the Freshman of the Year by Pro Football Focus. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, La., Stingley has helped his hometown team to a 13-0 record and No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
Kenneth Gainwell, University of Memphis, Running Back, Redshirt — Gainwell was named the American Athletic Conference's Rookie of the Year for his performance this season. His 1,425 rushing yards rank first among freshmen and eighth nationally. He has amassed 1,957 yards from scrimmage, which also ranks first among freshmen and fourth nationally. Gainwell recorded 200+ yards from scrimmage in three consecutive games against Louisiana-Monroe (251), Temple (204), and Tulane (307). His efforts helped Memphis claim a New Year's Six bowl berth, their first in school history.
Azeez Ojulari, University of Georgia, Linebacker, Redshirt — Ojulari led the SEC's top total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense in quarterback hurries with 36, recording a team-high 4.5 sacks while setting the edge agains the run. He has played in every game this season, starting in all but one. Ojulari became the first freshman to be named a team captain under head coach Kirby Smart.
Jayden Daniels, Arizona State University, Quarterback — Daniels compiled 2,748 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and just two interceptions this season. His 8.9 yards per attempt ranks 13th nationally. He also added 319 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Daniels threw for a season-high 408 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions in a victory over then-No. 6 Oregon on 11/23.
Howell, the ACC's Offensive Rookie and overall Rookie of the Year, leads the conference in passing yards (3,347) and touchdowns (35). His 35 passing touchdowns rank fourth in FBS this season, and broke the previous single-season school record set by Mitchell Trubisky in 2016 (30). He also surpassed Trevor Lawrence's 30 passing touchdowns from last season, giving him the most passing touchdowns by a true freshman in FBS history.
The award recognizes the most outstanding freshman player in the FBS ranks. Redshirt freshmen are eligible to receive the award as well.
The 2018 winner, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, completed 65.2% of his passes for 3,280 yards while leading the Tigers to a perfect 15-0 season that culminated with a victory in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
The three finalists will be named after Jan. 1, with the player of the year, most inspirational and breakout players released in New Orleans the morning of the CFP Championship Game.
Here are the 2019 semifinalists:Sam Howell, University of North Carolina, Quarterback — Howell finished the regular season with 3,347 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions. His 35 passing touchdowns rank fourth in FBS this season, and he broke the previous single-season record at North Carolina set by Mitchell Trubisky in 2016 (30). He also surpassed Trevor Lawrence's 30 passing touchdowns from last season, giving him the most passing touchdowns by a true freshman in FBS history. Howell has been named the ACC's Offensive Rookie and overall Rookie of the Year, as he led the conference in passing yards and touchdowns.
Gregory Rousseau, University of Miami, Defensive Lineman, Redshirt — Rousseau was named the ACC's Defensive Rookie of the Year. He recorded 18 tackles for loss and 14 sacks throughout the 2019 campaign. Rousseau's 14 sacks are tied for second in FBS this season, trailing only Ohio State's Chase Young. It was also the fourth-most sacks in a single season in Miami football history, and the most by a freshman. He recorded four sacks against rival Florida State on November 2, a game the Hurricanes won 27-10.
Kedon Slovis, University of Southern California, Quarterback — Slovis was named the Pac-12's Offensive Freshman of the Year. He finished the regular season ranked fourth nationally in completion percentage (71.8) and eighth nationally in yards per game (294.7). His 515-yard performance against rival UCLA made him the first USC quarterback to throw for 500+ yards in a single game, and his current streak of three consecutive games with 400+ passing yards is a school record.
Derek Stingley Jr., Louisiana State University, Defensive Back — Stingley led all freshmen with six interceptions this season, including two against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. He was named the Freshman of the Year by Pro Football Focus. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, La., Stingley has helped his hometown team to a 13-0 record and No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
Kenneth Gainwell, University of Memphis, Running Back, Redshirt — Gainwell was named the American Athletic Conference's Rookie of the Year for his performance this season. His 1,425 rushing yards rank first among freshmen and eighth nationally. He has amassed 1,957 yards from scrimmage, which also ranks first among freshmen and fourth nationally. Gainwell recorded 200+ yards from scrimmage in three consecutive games against Louisiana-Monroe (251), Temple (204), and Tulane (307). His efforts helped Memphis claim a New Year's Six bowl berth, their first in school history.
Azeez Ojulari, University of Georgia, Linebacker, Redshirt — Ojulari led the SEC's top total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense in quarterback hurries with 36, recording a team-high 4.5 sacks while setting the edge agains the run. He has played in every game this season, starting in all but one. Ojulari became the first freshman to be named a team captain under head coach Kirby Smart.
Jayden Daniels, Arizona State University, Quarterback — Daniels compiled 2,748 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and just two interceptions this season. His 8.9 yards per attempt ranks 13th nationally. He also added 319 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Daniels threw for a season-high 408 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions in a victory over then-No. 6 Oregon on 11/23.
Players Mentioned
Quarterback
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