The Gene Upshaw Award is awarded to the best lineman, offensive or defensive, in NCAA Division II college football. The award is presented by the Manheim Touchdown Club and is recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The award is named after former guard Gene Upshaw, who played college football for the Texas A&I Javelinas and later for the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Criteria Must be a junior or senior in athletic eligibility and competed in at least 70 percent of the team's regular season games. Must play at one of the following positions: offensive tackle, guard, center; defensive end, defensive tackle or nose tackle. Must be of good academic standing (eligible to compete). Ineligible players will be disqualified. Must be an All-American or all-region caliber candidate (first- or second-team). Only one nominee per institution (regardless of position).
Winners Season Player Position School Ref. 2004 Offensive lineman Pittsburg State 2005 Defensive lineman Grand Valley State 2006 (2) Defensive lineman Grand Valley State 2007 Offensive tackle Grand Valley State 2008 Center Abilene Christian 2009 Offensive tackle West Liberty 2010 Center Slippery Rock 2011 Offensive tackle Wayne State (MI) 2012 Guard Minnesota Duluth 2013 Defensive end CSU Pueblo 2014 (2) Defensive end CSU Pueblo 2015 Defensive end Grand Valley State 2016 Offensive tackle Kutztown 2017 Defensive end Slippery Rock 2018 Defensive end Angelo State 2019 Defensive end Ferris State 2020 colspan="4" 2021 Offensive tackle Ferris State 2022 Defensive end Ferris State 2023 Offensive tackle Colorado Mines 2024 Defensive end Wingate 2025 Offensive tackle Ferris State Source:
Awards won by school Schools in italics are no longer Division II members.
School Winners Ferris State 4 Grand Valley State 4 Slippery Rock 2 CSU Pueblo 2 Abilene Christian 1 Angelo State 1 Colorado Mines 1 Kutztown 1 Minnesota Duluth 1 Pittsburg State 1 Wayne State (MI) 1 West Liberty 1 Wingate 1
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