November 27th, 2024 12:00pm
MANHEIM, Pa. – Thirty-one nominees have been named for the 2024 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. 4. 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 nine nominees who are still playing as they will showcase their talents in this weekend’s NCAA Division II Championship second round. Five more nominees qualified with their teams for the national tournament and played in the NCAA First Round on Nov. 23.
The award is named in honor of the late Mr. Upshaw, who was not only an All-Pro lineman for the Oakland Raiders, but 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 (GMAC, MEC, NE10, PSAC)
Nick Affholter - OC - Hillsdale
Jaheim Bassham - OC - California (Pa.)
Yoesph Carter - OG - Findlay
Raymond Christas - OC - East Stroudsburg
Todd Hill - DE - Slippery Rock
Jack Quander - DT - New Haven
Austin Spille - DE - Saint Anselm
Jake Tarburton - DE – Clarion
Super Region 2 (CIAA, GSC, SAC, SIAC)
Issac Anderson - DE - Virginia Union
Jaelon Brown - OG - Delta State
Marquise Fleming - DE - Wingate
Will Flowers - OC - Valdosta State
Trevon Lambert - DE - West Alabama
Super Region 3 (GAC, GLIAC, GLVC, MIAA)
Aaron Barnett - DE - Indianapolis
Brandon Bishop - OT - Henderson State
Gabe Brown - OT - Grand Valley State
Gabe Clark - OT - Central Missouri
CeDarrion Crooks - OG - East Central
Quillan Felton - DE - Nebraska Kearney
Jake Fisher - DE - Northwest Missouri State
Cole Littrell - OG - Missouri S&T
Myles Menges - DE - Fort Hays State
Victor Nelson - DT - Ferris State
Gage Price - NT – Harding
Super Region 4 (LSC, NSIC, RMAC)
Jake Gannon - OC - Bemidji State
Jett Janssen - OT - Wayne State (Neb.)
David Ma’ake - OG - Eastern New Mexico
Hunter O’Connor - DE - Chadron State
Makeah Scippio - DE - CSU Pueblo
Nic Van de Graaf - OT - Colo. School of Mines
Aiden Williams - OT - Minnesota Duluth