November 28th, 2025 1:00pm
MANHEIM, Pa. – Twenty-nine nominees have been announced for the 2025 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award, presented by the Manheim Touchdown Club.
The award is nominated and voted on by the nation’s NCAA Division II sports information directors. Two finalists will advance from each of the four super regions to a national ballot, with national finalists announced Dec. 5. The winner will be announced Dec. 12. All nominees must be seniors or graduate players/transfers and are lineman on either side of the ball at either offensive tackle, guard, or center; or defensive tackle, guard, or end.
The list includes eight nominees who are still playing as they will showcase their talents in this weekend’s NCAA Division II Championship second round. Nine more nominees qualified with their teams for the national tournament and played in the NCAA First Round on Nov. 22. One nominee - Ashland defensive end Michael Shimek - was also named a nominee for the Harlon Hill Award given to the Division II national player of the year.
The award is named in honor of the late Mr. Upshaw, who was an All-Pro lineman for the Oakland Raiders and later served as the executive director of the NFL Players Association for 25 years. Upshaw, a former standout offensive lineman at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M Kingsville), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 in his first year of eligibility. The award is presented annually by the Manheim Touchdown Club.
Super Region 1 (CIAA, MEC, NE10, PSAC)
Guy Gilyard - OT - East Stroudsburg
Joe Cooper - OT - Slippery Rock
Joe LoChiatto - OT - Bentley
Chance Batte - OG - IUP
Ryan Schernecke - OT - Kutztown
Jack Driscoll - OT - Assumption
Super Region 2 (CC, GSC, SAC, SIAC)
Noah Stovall - OT - Albany State
Collin Shaw - DE - West Florida
Mark Robinson - DT - Valdosta State
Ben Newton - OC - West Alabama
Avery Swinton - OT - Catawba
Will Hart - OG - Wingate
Super Region 3 (GLIAC, GLVC, GMAC, NSIC)
Isaac Hagstrom - OT - Bemidji State
Will Washenberger - OC - Wayne State (Neb.)
Caydon Christensen - OC - Concordia-St. Paul
Thomas Spaulding - DE - Truman State
Michael Shimek - DE - Ashland
Jaylin Vaughn - DE - Quincy
Adom LeDuc - DE - Saginaw Valley State
Klay Seehase - OT - Upper Iowa
Mojo Weerts - DE - Minnesota-Duluth
Ryne Buttz - OT - Indianapolis
Tim Anderson - OT - Ferris State
Super Region 4 (GAC, LSC, MIAA, RMAC)
Clayton Power - DT - Northwest Missouri State
Jake Mitchell - OT - Harding
Dylan Horton - OT/C - Ouachita Baptist
Hunter Hewitt - DE - Southern Arkansas
Domingo Prince II - OG - CSU Pueblo
Slade Edwards - OC - Central Washington