Ray Ray Award for Defensive Player of the Year: FBS Nominees

URA Sports Show Introduces the Ray Ray Award for Defensive Player of the Year: FBS Nominees

In a groundbreaking move that puts the power in the hands of the fans, URA Sports Show proudly announces the creation of the Ray Ray Award – Defensive Player of the Year. This prestigious honor celebrates exceptional defensive performances in college football, allowing fans—not media insiders or sportswriters—to choose who truly stands out on the defensive side of the ball.

Why the Ray Ray Award?

The Ray Ray Award was inspired by the legendary legacy of one of football’s most iconic defenders. While legal restrictions prevented using the exact name, the award pays homage to a relentless, game-changing spirit reminiscent of Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens.

How It Works

The selection process is refreshingly simple and democratic:

Nominees Announced: Throughout the college football season, standout defensive players will be nominated based on their on-field dominance, leadership, and game-altering plays.

Fan Voting: Fans will vote online to decide who deserves the title of the year’s best defensive player. The power rests entirely in the hands of the people who live and breathe college football.

What the Award Represents

The Ray Ray Award isn’t just about stats—it’s about heart, grit, and the will to dominate. It’s a platform to pay homage to top athletes who are household names and athletes who may not get the traditional media spotlight but prove themselves as forces to be reckoned with.

When and Where

The inaugural Ray Ray Award winner will be announced during the highly anticipated URA Sports Awards Show hosted by NFL Veteran Derrick Tatum and CEO of Elite Talent Football Podcast. The night will be dedicated to recognizing the most electrifying college football performances at the FBS and HBCU levels, with plans to expand to FCS, Div 2, and High School in the future.

Get Involved!

Stay tuned for updates on nominees and voting dates by following the URA Sports Show (@urafootballshow) and Elite Talent Football (@elitetalentfootball) on social media and on our website, www.underrecruitedathlete.com.

FBS Ray Ray Award Nominees

Antwaun Powell-Ryland
Position: Defensive Lineman (DL)
Class: Redshirt Senior
Hometown: Portsmouth, Virginia

Antwaun Powell-Ryland emerged as a standout player from Indian River High School under head coach Marcus Ferebee. A four-star recruit, he played a pivotal role in the Braves’ impressive 12-1 season in 2018 and earned a spot in the prestigious Under Armour All-America Game.

In 2023, Powell-Ryland’s on-field dominance earned him All-ACC Second Team honors and recognition as a Phil Steele Honorable Mention All-American. He capped off his final season with an impressive stat line: 43 tackles, 16 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.

Abdul Carter
Position: Defensive Lineman (DL)
Class: Junior
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Abdul Carter of Penn State has earned national recognition as a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, and Lott IMPACT Trophy. His dominant play garnered multiple weekly honors, including the Bednarik Award, Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week (11/12), and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Illinois – 9/28). Powell-Ryland also appeared on several preseason watch lists, including the Bednarik, Butkus, and Nagurski trophies. Starting ten games this season, he recorded 45 tackles (29 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss (leading the Big Ten, 2nd nationally), eight sacks, two forced fumbles, and three pass breakups, earning Defensive Player of the Game honors from the coaching staff three times. Carter ends his post-season play with 60 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, ten sacks, two force fumbles, and three pass deflections.

Jackson Woodward
Position: Linebacker (LB)
Class: Senior
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas

In 2023, after transferring from Arkansas, he started all 14 games for UNLV, earning First Team All-Mountain West honors and MW Defensive Newcomer of the Year. He ranked second in the conference with 117 tackles, led the team with nine tackles for loss, and added four pass breakups. Notable performances included 14 tackles against CSU, an interception against Nevada, and a key sack at Air Force. He enrolled at UNLV in January and participated in spring practice.

Woodward’s performance has been stellar this season, earning him recognition as one of the team’s top players. Woodard has been a standout in defensive play, contributing significantly to his team’s success. He ends the post-season play with 124 tackles, nine pass deflections, 3,5 sacks, and four interceptions.

Carson Schwesinger
Position: Linebacker (LB)
Class: Red Shirt Junior
Hometown: Moorpark, Calif.

Carson Schwesinger, linebacker for UCLA, has had an impressive 2024 season. He played a key role in the team’s defense, making significant contributions each week. Schwesinger post-season play netted him a total of 136 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two ints, and one forced fumble. Schwesinger also earned recognition as a semifinalist for both the Butkus Award and the Burlsworth Trophy, showcasing his stellar rise from walk-on to one of the league’s top linebackers. His leadership as team captain further highlights his integral role in UCLA’s defense during the 2024 season.

Shaun Dolac
Position: Linebacker (LB)
Class: Grad Student
Hometown: West Seneca, New York

Shaun Dolac had an exceptional 2024 season with the University at Buffalo, where he was recognized as one of the top defensive players in college football. Dolac led the nation in tackles and was named the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Defensive Player of the Week four times, the most by any UB player in a single season.

His season stats are impressive: Dolac recorded 156 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and five interceptions.

Caleb Downs
Position: Defensive Back (DB)
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Hoschton, GA

Since childhood, Caleb Downs, son of former NFL player Gary Downs, has been recognized for his extraordinary football talent. Gary notes that Caleb has been “blessed like few others” with an innate ability for the game that was evident even when he was six years old. Caleb earned five-star status as a high school recruit, and by his true freshman year at Alabama, he was an All-American. After transferring to Ohio State, he recorded 107 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in 2023. Coach Ryan Day highlighted Caleb’s athleticism, suggesting he could play both sides of the ball, a versatility seen in his high school performances.

In the 2024 season, Downs has continued to shine as a sophomore at Ohio State, playing in 12 games. He has totaled 61 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and one interception. Additionally, Downs contributed in special teams, recording 102 yards and a touchdown on five punt returns, plus a 16-yard kickoff return. His strong all-around play has cemented his role as a key defensive and special teams asset for the Buckeyes.

Travis Hunter
Position: Defensive Back (DB)
Class: Junior
Hometown: Suwanee, Georgia

In the 2024 season, Travis Hunter continued to showcase his exceptional ability as a defensive back for Colorado. Over the course of the season, he posted impressive stats, including multiple pass breakups and significant defensive contributions in key games. Notably, Hunter had standout performances with his four pass breakups in one game, demonstrating his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. His athleticism and versatility were recognized as he earned the Jim Thorpe Award for the best defensive back and the Paul Hornung Award for the most versatile player. Hunter’s performance solidified his reputation as one of the top defensive backs in the nation and underscored his all-around skill set on the field. He closes out his post-season play with 32 tackles, 11 pass breakups, one forced fumble, four interceptions, and one tackle for loss.