New York, NY – Four first-time selections headline this year’s recipients of the prestigious Rimington Award, presented annually to the top centers in the FCS, DII, DIII, and NAIA divisions for over two decades.

Reid Williams of UT-Chattanooga has been named the Rimington Award winner for the FCS level. Williams, a redshirt junior from Ringgold, Ga., is a three-time All-Southern Conference Team selection. Williams also earned CSC Academic All-District and FCS ADA Academic awards. As a three-year starter for the Mocs, he played a pivotal role in their 7-5 season, during which the team averaged 346.2 yards per game. Williams was graded as the top center for most of the season by Pro Football Focus (PFF) and served as a team captain.

Jake Gannon of Bemidji State University has earned the Rimington Award at the DII level. Gannon, a graduate student from Franklin, Wisc., is a three-time All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC) honoree and five-time NSIC All-Academic Team member.  Gannon overcame an injury during his senior year to comeback to lead Bemidji State as a graduate student and has been named a 2024 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award finalist. He anchored an offensive line that averaged 360.8 yards per game and helped guide the Beavers to the NCAA DII National Quarterfinals.

Matt Wrather of John Carroll University is this year’s DIII Rimington Award recipient. Wrather, a senior from Powell, Ohio, was named an AFCA First Team All-American in 2024 and earning First Team All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He has also been recognized as an All-American by D3football.com and Lindy’s Sports. Wrather led an offensive line that averaged 442.8 yards per game and helped John Carroll advance to the second round of the NCAA DIII National Playoffs.

Will Angel of Indiana Wesleyan has been honored as the Rimington Award winner for the NAIA division. Angel, a senior from Liberty, Mo., is a three-time MSFA Mideast All-Conference Team selection on the offense line. He and the rest of the Wildcat offensive line allowed time for an offensive attack that ranked Top 6 in the NAIA with 3,666 passing yards, 347 first downs, and only ten sacks allowed. This elite group paved the way on the ground for 2,805 rushing yards with two running backs totaling over 1,000 yards individually leading the Wildcats to an 11-2 record and a quarterfinal appearance in the NAIA Championship Series.

Rimington Award Selection

The Rimington Award winners are selected by Jason Dannelly, coordinator of the award and a prominent voice in college football for non-FBS divisions. Dannelly, the founder of the Victory Sports Network and a 20-year member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), continues the tradition of celebrating excellence with one of college football’s most distinguished honors. Nominations for each level come from a variety of scouts, coaches and media. In order to be considered for the award, the athlete much achieve a minimum of All Conference status.

About the Rimington Trophy

The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I College Football. Since its inception, the award has raised over $5.1 million for the Boomer Esiason Foundation. The 2024 Rimington Trophy recipient will be honored at the Rococo Theatre in Lincoln, NE on January 25, 2025. To learn more about Dave Rimington, the trophy’s namesake, and the event, please visit www.rimingtontrophy.com

The Rimington Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.

About the Boomer Esiason Foundation

In 1993, Boomer Esiason’s son, Gunnar, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF). Boomer and his wife Cheryl founded the Boomer Esiason Foundation to raise funds and awareness for the cystic fibrosis community. To date, the Foundation has raised over $175 million and works to provide educational and financial resources to help people living with CF in the here and now.