MANHEIM, Pa. – Regional voting narrowed a field of 46 candidates to eight finalists for the 2018 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award. The finalists include four offensive linemen and four defensive linemen - as well as one representative from West Chester University.
The award is presented by the Manheim Touchdown Club and voted on by the nation's NCAA Division II sports information directors. Two finalists advance from each of the four NCAA Division II super regions. Representing Super Region 1 is West Chester offensive lineman
Tyler Drob (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East) and Notre Dame College offensive lineman Austin Treneff. Drob becomes the first Golden Rams player to be named a finalist since Andrew Cohen in 2015.
An ACL injury cost Drob his entire 2017 season, but he bounced back in 2018 by helping West Chester (10-1) to a PSAC Championship, undefeated regular season and a berth into the NCAA playoffs. Drob was named All-PSAC East First Team for the second time in his career after not allowing a sack the entire regular season and paving the way to the PSAC's top-ranked rushing offense.
The national round of voting begins on Monday, Nov. 19 and closes on Monday, Nov. 26. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 28. The award recipient has an invitation to participate in front of professional scouts and coaches at the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla. The winner will also be recognized at the Manheim Touchdown Club's annual banquet in May. The NFL recognizes, endorses and supports the winner of the award by guaranteeing a place in the all-star games. The support comes as recognition and appreciation for the late Mr. Upshaw, who was not only an All-Pro lineman for the Oakland Raiders, but later served as the executive director of the NFL Players Association for 25 years. Upshaw, a former standout offensive lineman at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M Kingsville), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 in his first year of eligibility.
PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS
• 2017 - Marcus Martin, Slippery Rock
• 2016 - Jordan Morgan, Kutztown
• 2015 - Matt Judon, Grand Valley State
• 2014 - Darius Allen, Colorado State-Pueblo
• 2013 - Darius Allen, Colorado State-Pueblo
• 2012 - Garth Heikkinen, Minnesota-Duluth
• 2011 - Joe Long, Wayne State
• 2010 - Brandon Fusco, Slippery Rock
• 2009 - Ben Staggs, West Liberty
• 2008 - Sam Collins, Abilene Christian
• 2007 - Brandon Barnes, Grand Valley State
• 2006 - Mike McFadden, Grand Valley State
• 2005 - Mike McFadden, Grand Valley State
• 2004 - Nathan Baker, Pittsburg State
