'Roo Football Announces Team Awards

With the 2021 season complete, the Austin College football team has announced its team award winners, capping off a postseason that saw numerous 'Roos earn accolades for their outstanding contributions this year.

In addition to being named a second team All-American Southwest Conference selection at wide receiver, Aaron Rideaux was named the team's Duke Babb Most Valuable Player as selected by his teammates. Rideaux caught 36 passes for 459 yards, in addition to hauling in four touchdown grabs.

This year's William B. Traylor Award winner was senior linebacker Keegan Nichols, a multiple-year All-Conference selection who consistently finished among the conference leaders in tackles, but who missed the 2021 season due to injury. Nichols continued to help the team on the sidelines, serving as a student assistant.

In addition to being named not just a first team All-ASC pick, but also an AFCA first team All-American at punter, Tyler James was named the team's Hersch Special Teams Player of the Year for his outstanding performance. Doubling as the team's starting quarterback, James averaged 42.2 yards-per-punt, good for second nationally.

This year's Van Pelt Lineman of the Year Award went to Max Walstad, a defensive lineman who made 25 tackles, with 11.0 of those stops coming behind the line of scrimmage. Walstad had 3.5 sacks on the year, as well.

The team selected Colton Devoll as the Offensive Scout Player of the Year, while Defensive Scout Player of the Year honors went to Nick Chevalier.

Head coach Loren Dawson and his coaching staff also recognized the student-athletes who finished the semester with the highest grade-point-average in each class, with Joseph McGuire finishing atop the class of first-year players, while Rylan Ritch had top marks among the sophomores, Kennon Magers boasted the highest GPA among juniors, and James finished with the highest marks in the senior class.

Along with the team awards, other 'Roos to earn All-ASC accolades this season included offensive lineman Jason Miao, who was a third team All-Conference pick, as well as Devon Rideaux, who was also named third team All-ASC at running back. John Aldridge and Kaden Bess both earned honorable mention accolades for their work on special teams, with Aldridge as a kicker and Bess as a kick returner.