The Shaun Alexander Award

HISTORY OF THE SHAUN ALEXANDER AWARD

During the 1996 college football season, future All-American Shaun Alexander didn’t start off the year as the team’s starting running back, in fact, he was actually the 3rd option. That all changed on the ESPN prime time night game on November 9th, 1996 when #10 Alabama played #11 LSU. This was the night in death valley where Shaun became an Alabama legend.

His first carry… a 17-yard touchdown – giving him 1 carry for 17 yards and a touchdown at the end of the 1st half.

His second carry… a 73-yard touchdown.

Shaun ended the night with 4 touchdowns and 291 rushing yards. Alexander’s single-game rushing record (291 yards) still stands today at The University of Alabama.

Shaun ended his career at Alabama with 3,565 yards rushing (41 touchdowns), 798 receiving yards (8 TD receptions), and one kickoff return for a touchdown. Due to Shaun’s tremendous freshman campaign for the Crimson Tide, The College Football Freshman Player of the Year Award is now called The Shaun Alexander Award.

The Inaugural Recipient of The Shaun Alexander Award

After upsetting Alexander's alma mater in the 2019 CFP National Championship, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence was selected as the inaugural recipient of The Shaun Alexander Award. Shaun personally presented the award to Trevor Lawrence in front of a packed crowd during Clemson's spring football game in 2019.

2018-2019 Shaun Alexander Award Winner

Trevor Lawrence Freshman Season Statistics

After the fourth game of the season, Trevor Lawrence became the starting quarterback for the Clemson Tigers. As the starting QB, Trevor led the Tigers to an 11-0 record, capping off his impressive freshman campaign with a National Championship victory over Alabama.

3,280

Passing Yards

30

Passing TD's

157.6

QBR

2019-2020 Shaun Alexander Award Winner

Kenneth Gainwell Freshman Season Statistics

After the starting running back suffered an injury, Kenneth exploded onto the scene for the Memphis Tigers. Gainwell averaged 147.8 yards per scrimmage during the 2019 season, which ranked 6th nationally. Gainwell will forgo the 2020 season to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft.

1,459

Rushing Yards

610

Receiving Yards

16

Total TD's

2020-2021 Shaun Alexander Award Winner

Will Anderson Jr. Freshman Season Statistics

Will Anderson Jr. leaped onto the scene during his freshman campaign, winning several major awards in addition to the Alexander Award. He was named to the SEC All-American Team, he earned 2nd Team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press, and finished 3rd in the SEC in sacks.

7

Sacks

10.5

Tackles for Loss

52

Total Tackles

2021-2022 Shaun Alexander Award Winner

Brock Bowers Freshman Season Statistics

Bowers was a USA Today, ESPN, and The Athletic First Team All-American and was the SEC Freshman of the Year in his first year with the Bulldogs.  He had a team-best 56 catches for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns (12 receiving, one rushing). Bowers owns school records in receptions, yards, and receiving touchdowns for a tight end. He also helped the Bulldogs secure a victory in the National Championship over the Crimson Tide.

13

Touchdowns

882

Yards

56

Receptions