2020 Michigan Football Awards and Honors
4/14/2021 5:20:00 PM | Football
• Hutchinson Earns Academic All-District 5 First Team Honor (6/10/21)
• Stueber Named Walter Camp 2020 Connecticut Player of the Year (1/12/21)
• Pair of U-M Special Teams Standouts Honored by Big Ten (12/17/21)
• Five Wolverines Collect All-Big Ten Recognition on Defense(12/16/21)
• U-M Duo Tabbed All-Big Ten Honorable Mention on Offense (12/15/21)
Ben Mason, Jake McCurry, Nate Schoenle (April 14)
National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society Member -- Fifth-year senior wide receiver Nate Schoenle, senior tight end Ben Mason and senior wide receiver Jake McCurry were announced as three of 910 players to receive membership to the 2021 NFF Hampshire Honor Society. All three players graduated from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business with degrees in business administration. All three were also special teams staples for the Wolverines throughout their careers. The society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 grade-point average or better throughout their college careers. The honorees from this past season represent 255 schools during the society's 15th year of membership. A four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and 2019 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, Schoenle also earned minor in entrepreneurship. He appeared in 26 games across his Wolverine career on special teams, with six games played at wide receiver and one start, making 11 career tackles with one fumble recovery to go with four receptions for 41 yards. Mason was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten student and a 2020 team captain, and the two-time Toughest Player of the Year (2017, '19). He also graduated from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. Mason appeared in 45 career games with four starts, one on the defensive line and three in the backfield. He played on both sides of the ball and on special teams, totaling 14 tackles on defense and special teams with 37 carries for 87 yards and nine touchdowns rushing, plus three catches for 32 yards with one touchdown receiving. McCurry is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and 2019 Big Ten Distinguished scholar who appeared in 29 games throughout his career, including four at wide receiver. The 2017 Special Teams Player of the Year, McCurry made 20 tackles on special teams throughout his career with shared tackle for loss and one recovered blocked punt. He caught two passes for 33 yards including one touchdown in his career. » NFF Release
Giles Jackson (Nov. 23)
Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week -- Wide receiver Giles Jackson was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the week after his 95-yard kick return touchdown opened the third quarter in Michigan's 48-42 win over Rutgers on Saturday night (Nov. 21). The play helped cut the Scarlet Knights' lead to a field goal, making the score 17-14. Jackson recorded his second career return touchdown of 95-plus yards, the other being a 97-yard score to open the game at Maryland in 2019; both are among the seven longest return touchdowns in program history. He also added a 31-yard reception in the game, giving him two 20-plus yard plays in the game. Jackson leads the team with 13 such plays this season (10 via return). This marks the first Big Ten weekly honor of Jackson's career. » Big Ten Release
Ronnie Bell (Nov. 19)
Biletnikoff Award Watch List -- Junior wide receiver Ronnie Bell was named as a midseason addition to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation announced. The Biletnikoff Award is presented to college football's outstanding FBS receiver regardless of position. Bell leads all Wolverine pass-catchers in receptions (18), yards (325), average yards per game (81.25), and average yards per catch (18.06). He has been the team's most reliable weapon in the passing game and has one of the team's five touchdowns through the air. Bell was especially explosive during a six-catch, 149-yard outing at Indiana (Nov. 7), which included a 21-yard touchdown. For his career, Bell has made 74 receptions for 1,228 yards with four touchdowns in 30 games played. » Tallahassee Quarterback Club Release
Adam Shibley (Nov. 17)
Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year -- Senior linebacker Adam Shibley was selected as one of 20 semifinalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. Now in its fourth year, the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year honors student-athletes who have demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity, and sportsmanship both on and off the field. Shibley's TUFF organization works to advance the lives of youth athletes and fight for social justice by providing uniforms, equipment and mentorship to underserved sports teams. To date, TUFF has raised more than $155,000, provided uniforms to 12 youth football teams and 17 high school programs around the midwest and recently expanded into two girl's basketball programs. Notable contributors include nine current NFL players, notable football media like Adam Schefter, Maria Taylor, Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, and Holly Rowe, and others. Shibley is a member of the Big Ten's Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate coalition formed over the summer. On the field, Shibley has appeared at linebacker in all four games this season with nine tackles made, a career-best. He is a key special teams contributor on multiple units. » JasonWitten82.com Release
Kwity Paye (Nov. 13)
Senior CLASS Award, Ted Hendricks Award Watch List -- Senior defensive lineman Kwity Paye was listed as one of 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award, one day after he was included among 25 players to be named to the Ted Hendricks Award Watch List (Nov. 12). The Senior CLASS Award celebrates loyalty and achievement for school, honoring those who have notable achievements in the areas of community, classroom, character and competition. The Ted Hendricks Award is presented annually to the top defensive end inc college football. Paye has made 19 starts in 27 career games, with 96 career tackles, including 27.5 for loss and 11.5 sacks. He has forced one fumble, has one recovery and also has a pass breakup in his stat line. A 2020 team captain, Paye was named to the Big Ten Football Preseason Honors list earlier this year. » Senior CLASS Award Release | Ted Hendricks Foundation Release
Adam Shibley (Nov. 10)
Wuerffel Trophy Nominee -- Senior linebacker Adam Shibley was named one of 97 nominees for the Wuerffel Trophy, presented annually to honor college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society and inspire greater service in the world. Shibley's TUFF organization works to advance the lives of youth athletes and fight for social justice by providing uniforms, equipment and mentorship to underserved sports teams. To date, TUFF has raised more than $140,000, provided uniforms to 12 youth football teams and 17 high school programs around the midwest, and recently expanded into two girl's basketball programs. Shibley is a member of the Big Ten's Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate coalition formed over the summer. On the field, Shibley has appeared at linebacker in all three games this season with eight tackles made. He is a key special teams contributor on multiple units as well and made a career-high seven tackles against Michigan State in week two.
Kwity Paye (Oct. 16)
Big Ten Preseason Honors -- Senior defensive lineman Kwity Paye was included in the 2020 Big Ten Football Preseason Honors List, announced on the Big Ten Network. A two-time all-league honoree, Paye has made 16 starts across 34 games played. He registered 50 tackles last fall, including 12.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks, three hurries and one fumble recovery. Paye started 11 games last fall and shared the team's Richard Katcher Award given to the top defensive lineman. He was recognized as a member of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Bednarik Award Watch lists earlier this summer, awarded to the most outstanding defensive player and defensive player of the year, respectively. » Big Ten Release
Will Hart (Oct. 1)
Campbell Trophy Semifinalist -- Graduate student punter Will Hart is one of 199 semifinalists for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy. Now in its 31st year, the award recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists in November, and each will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2020 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. One winner will be chosen later this year and will have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000. Hart was the Big Ten Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year and a second team All-American by Sports Illustrated in 2018, and is a two-time All-Big Ten (first team in 2018; second team in 2019) honoree. He has played in 30 career games with 26 as primary punter the last two seasons and is the Michigan record-holder for single-season punt average (46.98 yards) and single-game punt average (59.3 yards), as well as the U-M 2018 Specialist of the Year. » National Football Foundation Release
