Risner Named Semifinalist for Witten Collegiate Man of the Year
Nov 15, 2018 | Football
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State senior right tackle Dalton Risner was named one of 20 semifinalists for the 2018 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, the organization announced Thursday.
Risner is one of five semifinalists from the Big 12 named to the list for the award that focuses primarily on a player's leadership both on and off the field.
A product of Wiggins, Colorado, Risner's semifinal status for the award adds to his lengthy off-the-field accolades during his senior season. Risner is a finalist for the Williams V. Campbell Trophy – also known as the "Academic Heisman" – a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy, was named to the Allstate/American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team and is finalist for the Senior CLASS Award.
A 2017 First Team All-American and the fifth three-time team captain in school history, Risner has made it a priority to make a positive impact on those in the community. He started the RiseUp Foundation last summer, which was started in both a blog and v-log form to "encourage everyone to RISE above the evil and sin in this world and be a positive shining light in the lives of others." Among many other activities, he also visits Buttonwood Special Needs Home and has bonded with one member in particular, Mike, while he is a Big Brother to Kayden, who was battling leukemia but is in remission.
The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, which is in its second year, honors Jason Witten, a man who displayed immense amount of leadership during an NFL career that saw him become the Dallas Cowboys' all-time leading receiver. Witten served as one of football's most prominent role models during his playing days as, in addition to winning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2012, he also received the Bart Starr Award, Pro Football Weekly's Humanitarian of the Year Award, Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP and the Bob Lilly Award, among many others.
"I am honored to announce this impressive group as the semifinalists for the second annual Collegiate Man of the Year," said Witten. "All of these student-athletes are shining examples of what makes college athletics so great. These 20 men have demonstrated exceptional character and leadership, often while overcoming large challenges. They are great representatives for the game of football, and I commend all nominees for getting to this point."
Three finalists will be named for the award on Monday, December 10. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on February 12, 2018, at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Risner and 15 other seniors will play their final game inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium this Saturday against Texas Tech. The Senior Day game kicks off at 2:30 p.m., and will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
Risner is one of five semifinalists from the Big 12 named to the list for the award that focuses primarily on a player's leadership both on and off the field.
A product of Wiggins, Colorado, Risner's semifinal status for the award adds to his lengthy off-the-field accolades during his senior season. Risner is a finalist for the Williams V. Campbell Trophy – also known as the "Academic Heisman" – a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy, was named to the Allstate/American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team and is finalist for the Senior CLASS Award.
A 2017 First Team All-American and the fifth three-time team captain in school history, Risner has made it a priority to make a positive impact on those in the community. He started the RiseUp Foundation last summer, which was started in both a blog and v-log form to "encourage everyone to RISE above the evil and sin in this world and be a positive shining light in the lives of others." Among many other activities, he also visits Buttonwood Special Needs Home and has bonded with one member in particular, Mike, while he is a Big Brother to Kayden, who was battling leukemia but is in remission.
The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, which is in its second year, honors Jason Witten, a man who displayed immense amount of leadership during an NFL career that saw him become the Dallas Cowboys' all-time leading receiver. Witten served as one of football's most prominent role models during his playing days as, in addition to winning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2012, he also received the Bart Starr Award, Pro Football Weekly's Humanitarian of the Year Award, Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP and the Bob Lilly Award, among many others.
"I am honored to announce this impressive group as the semifinalists for the second annual Collegiate Man of the Year," said Witten. "All of these student-athletes are shining examples of what makes college athletics so great. These 20 men have demonstrated exceptional character and leadership, often while overcoming large challenges. They are great representatives for the game of football, and I commend all nominees for getting to this point."
Three finalists will be named for the award on Monday, December 10. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on February 12, 2018, at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Risner and 15 other seniors will play their final game inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium this Saturday against Texas Tech. The Senior Day game kicks off at 2:30 p.m., and will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
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