Thompson Again Named Semifinalist for Witten Award
Nov 10, 2021 | Football
MANHATTAN, Kan. – For the second time in as many seasons, Kansas State senior quarterback Skylar Thompson is one of 20 semifinalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award, the award's committee announced Wednesday.
The award is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player's leadership, both on and off the field. In addition to Thompson's two semifinalist honors, K-State's Dalton Risner was one of three finalists for the award in 2018. Thompson is one of three semifinalists from the Big 12 this year, joining Oklahoma's Patrick Fields and Texas Tech's Tony Bradford Jr.
Thompson's personal story is well documented, including a first-person story he wrote in May 2019. He is heavily involved with Big Brother, Big Sisters in Manhattan, being paired with his little for four years now. Additionally, Thompson was one of the driving forces behind the team's involvement with Gunar Reed, who suffered from heart defects from birth and went through nearly 40 surgeries. Thompson, along with head coach Chris Klieman and multiple members of the K-State football team, often had Zoom session with Gunar – who they call 'G-Man' – to keep his spirits up. He was also an honorary member of K-State's 2021 Signing Class.
On the field, Thompson is a three-time team captain who ranks in the top 10 in 15 different K-State career categories. He has started 37 career games – the most by a K-State quarterback since 1990 – while his 22 career wins as a starter is tied for first by a K-State quarterback since 1990.
Entering play this week, Thompson is ranked fifth in the nation this year in passing yards per attempt (9.92), seventh in completion percentage (71.3), 10th in passing efficiency (166.4) and 21st in yards per completion (13.91). He has thrown for over 200 yards in each of the last five games, the longest streak by a Wildcat since Jake Waters did so in 14-straight games over the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
Three finalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year will be named on Wednesday, December 15. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony in Frisco, Texas, on February 17, 2022.
Kansas State, 6-3 overall and 3-3 in Big 12 play, hosts West Virginia on Saturday inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The game, which kicks at 11 a.m., will be televised by FS1.
The award is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player's leadership, both on and off the field. In addition to Thompson's two semifinalist honors, K-State's Dalton Risner was one of three finalists for the award in 2018. Thompson is one of three semifinalists from the Big 12 this year, joining Oklahoma's Patrick Fields and Texas Tech's Tony Bradford Jr.
Thompson's personal story is well documented, including a first-person story he wrote in May 2019. He is heavily involved with Big Brother, Big Sisters in Manhattan, being paired with his little for four years now. Additionally, Thompson was one of the driving forces behind the team's involvement with Gunar Reed, who suffered from heart defects from birth and went through nearly 40 surgeries. Thompson, along with head coach Chris Klieman and multiple members of the K-State football team, often had Zoom session with Gunar – who they call 'G-Man' – to keep his spirits up. He was also an honorary member of K-State's 2021 Signing Class.
On the field, Thompson is a three-time team captain who ranks in the top 10 in 15 different K-State career categories. He has started 37 career games – the most by a K-State quarterback since 1990 – while his 22 career wins as a starter is tied for first by a K-State quarterback since 1990.
Entering play this week, Thompson is ranked fifth in the nation this year in passing yards per attempt (9.92), seventh in completion percentage (71.3), 10th in passing efficiency (166.4) and 21st in yards per completion (13.91). He has thrown for over 200 yards in each of the last five games, the longest streak by a Wildcat since Jake Waters did so in 14-straight games over the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
Three finalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year will be named on Wednesday, December 15. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony in Frisco, Texas, on February 17, 2022.
Kansas State, 6-3 overall and 3-3 in Big 12 play, hosts West Virginia on Saturday inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The game, which kicks at 11 a.m., will be televised by FS1.
Players Mentioned
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