This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Kaimon Rucker! The UNC football star recently gave $10,000 of his NIL money to the MANNA Food Bank in Asheville to help with Hurricane Helene relief. Learn more: chapelboro.com/town-square/ho…

Semifinalist Spotlight - Luke Deal is the essence of leadership both on and off the field at Auburn Football , where he is a 2-time captain. After losing his father to ALS two years ago, he’s carried his dad’s memory on by becoming an active community volunteer.

One of the nation’s most experienced linemen, Jake Majors is also highly regarded as one of the top centers in the sport. But his ability to mentor young players and become the face of Texas Football in the community has set him apart as one of the top leaders in college FB.

Semifinalist Spotlight - Coming to the US as a teenager from Egypt, Ahmed Hassanein didn’t know English and had never played football. Since then, he’s become an all conference DE for Boise State Football and an academic All-American.

The face of the resurgent UNLV Football program, Jackson Woodard has put together a dominant 2024 season after becoming the Rebs’ first ever Academic All-American last year. His extensive work in the community has made him a nominee for the AFCA Good Works team.

Devin Neal is closing in on becoming the all-time leading rusher at Kansas Football. But the two-time captain and Lawrence, KS, native has nearly as big a presence off the field, where he has helped put together winter coat and toy drives and back to school supply giveaways.

After losing his father and his beloved high school coach to cancer, JJ Weaver of Kentucky Football used his experiences with grief to launch a grief counseling support group on campus that recently received a $40,000 grant is now available to all UK students.

Semifinalist Spotlight - One of the nation’s top tacklers, Justin Barron🎱 is the leader of the Syracuse Football defense. Off the field, he is a three-time All-ACC Academic Team member and he has used NIL partnerships to give back to area charities.

Semifinalist Spotlight - Isaiah Jacobs overcame homelessness as a child and has used that experience as fuel to become a mentor and two-time captain for his teammates at UAB Football and a role model in his community.

A dominant force on the Cincinnati Football defensive front, 2-time captain Dontay Corleone was named preseason All-American but had to fight to get back on the field after being diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs. His return has been inspiring to his teammates.

Semifinalist Spotlight -One of the nation’s top LB’s, Jalon Walker has 5.5 sacks for the vaunted Georgia Football defense this season. He’s also a member of the SEC and NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committees and is a regular visitor to area schools, where he reads to children.

Semifinalist Spotlight - A four-year starter as the quarterback for Memphis Football, Seth Henigan is nearly as accomplished in the classroom, where he has been Academic All-AAC, as he is on the field, where he has thrown for more than 13,000 career yards.

Semifinalist Spotlight - The leader of the vaunted Ohio State Football defense who wears the revered “Block O” jersey, Cody Simon is a force on the field. He also is a Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholar and a three-time Academic all-Big Ten honoree.

Due to his exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship, Kaimon Rucker is a finalist for Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year. 👏

𝘼𝙝𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙃𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙞𝙣 - Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year finalist 🙌 #BleedBlue | #BuiltDifferent

.JJ Weaver has been named a Jason Witten Award Finalist. 📰🔗 - bit.ly/4iCyNjk

Congratulations to JJ Weaver who is the 2025 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Jason Witten Award 📰 🔗 bit.ly/42NVv2F

Congratulations to the winner of the 8th Annual Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, J.J. Weaver of Kentucky Football.

The Jason Witten Award Man of the Year, JJ Weaver 👏