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.

Trent Fraley of North Dakota State has been named the Rimington Award winner for the FCS level. Fraley, a junior from Moon Township, Pa., was named a first team All-American by FCS Central, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) as well as first team all-conference by the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Fraley has started every game at center for the Bison over the last two seasons, leading an offense that averaged 212 yards rushing and 238 yards passing per game. Fraley is 26-3 as a starter.

Slade Edwards of Central Washington has earned the Rimington Award at the DII level. Edwards, a senior from Yelm, Wash., was a Gene Upshaw Award Finalist as well as First Team All Lone Star Conference and AFCA All-American. Edwards has been a leader of the Wildcats offensive unit that was dominant in 2025. The ‘Cats offense garnered 266.1 rushing yards per game and 154.83 passing yards per game for a total of 420.9 yards per contest this season. The offensive line was exceptional at containing defenses only allowing 43 tackles for loss and 10 sacks all season

Caleb Bayer of Trinity University is this year’s DIII Rimington Award recipient. Bayer, a senior from Grand View, Texas, earned AFCA All-American honors, led the Tiger football team to a 10-2 overall record and advanced to the Third Round of the NCAA Playoffs for the first time since 2002. It was the fourth time in the last five years that Trinity has won 10 or more games. Bayer is a four-time All-Southern Athletic Association honoree, earning first Team honors each of the past three seasons. Bayer was also nominated for the AFCA Goodworks Team and to the National Football Foundation Campbell Trophy

Rashad Beckham of Benedictine College has been honored as the Rimington Award winner for the NAIA division. Beckman, a senior from Oceanside, Calif., was named an All-American by the Victory Sports Network and the AFCA in 2025. He was a four-year starter for the Ravens and started 50 games in his career at center, never missing a game. Beckham anchored an offensive line that allowed just 4 sacks all season with a 476.6 yards per game average. He is the fourth Rimington Award winner for Benedictine College.

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 $5.2 million for the Boomer Esiason Foundation. The 2024 Rimington Trophy recipient will be honored at the Rococo Theatre in Lincoln, NE on January 24, 2026. 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.