FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State linebacker Logan Kopp was one of 13 college football players named finalists for the Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award on Tuesday, Nov. 18, by Stats Perform.
In its 11th season, the award honors FCS student-athletes who exemplify excellence on the field, in the classroom and across the community. The values embody the leadership and integrity championed by Doris Robinson, a former school teacher and the wife of legendary Grambling State University coach Eddie Robinson.
The award winner will be announced on Dec. 9 and then honored at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show on Jan. 3 in Nashville, Tenn.
Kopp, who was named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team earlier this season, has been one of the primary leaders of Fellowship of Christian Athletes at NDSU and has been active in the local community by volunteering for Night To Shine, Feed My Starving Children, the Kiwanis Pancake Karnival, Able Games, TNT Kids Fitness, Royal Family Kids Camp, elementary school reading and recess activities, and visits to the Roger Maris Cancer Center and Fargo VA hospital.
A senior from St. Louis, Mo., is a two-time All-Missouri Valley Football Conference first team linebacker. He is NDSU's third leading tackler with 62 total tackles, leads the Bison with 9.0 tackles for loss, and is third on the team with 3.0 sacks.
North Dakota State (11-0) closes out the regular season hosting a non-conference game against St. Thomas at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. The Bison qualified for the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs with an 8-0 record in Missouri Valley Football Conference play.
2025 Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award Finalists
Dillon Botner, Montana, OL, Grad (Big Sky Conference)
On the Field: Over 40 career appearances; 2025 starter on one of the FCS’ more potent offenses
In the Classroom: Three separate Bachelor degrees in Biochemistry (Health Professions), Biology (Human Biological Sciences) and Neuroscience (Cellular and Molecular) with a Physics minor (3.70 GPA)
In the Community: High school sporting event and football camp/clinic volunteer; National Marrow Donor Program; Neighbors Helping Neighbors Leaf Raking; Civic & Community; Seeding a Burn Scar on Mt. Sentinel
James Conway, Fordham, LB, Gr. (Patriot League)
On the Field: Four-time All-Patriot League selection; Division I leader in career tackles since at least 2000
In The Classroom: Bachelor degree in Marketing Information systems (3.71 GPA) with Master’s study in Artificial Intelligence; 2024 Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award finalist and 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy finalist
In The Community: Part of the Solution (POTS), a provider of emergency food, social services and legal representation in New York; Team Impact; elementary school reading
Erick Hunter, Morgan State, LB, R-Sr. (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
On the Field: 2025 MEAC preseason defensive player of the year and Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America second team; 287 tackles and 34 TFLs in his career
In the Classroom: Majoring in Business Administration (3.04 GPA); consistently on MSU Athletic Director's Honor Roll
In the Community: Volunteer at Baltimore’s Marian House, working with families that have experienced trauma; Youth camps involvement and with Omega Psi Phi fraternity’s partnership with Food 4 Thought Community Outreach Services Inc.
Tremel Jones, Tennessee Tech, WR, R-Sr. (OVC-Big South Football Association)
On the Field: Two-year starting wide receiver and a returner
In the Classroom: Majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies (3.37 GPA) with plans for an Exercise Science post-graduate field of study; William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist
In the Community: Cookeville-Putnam County Animal Shelter volunteer; Tech Food Pantry; local elementary school reading
Chandler Kirton, Austin Peay, OL, Grad (United Athletic Conference)
On the Field: Set program record with a 45th consecutive start on Nov. 8; 2023 first-team All-UAC and a 2025 preseason selection
In the Classroom: Earned Bachelor degree in Management (3.92 GPA), currently pursuing an MBA; previously a 2024 Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award finalist as well as the UAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year; 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy finalist (the first in APSU history)
In the Community: Austin Peay Student-Athlete Advisory Committee since 2023; volunteered as a tutor in APSU Athletics Study Hall, Buddy Ball, Operation Christmas Child, Clarksville Feeds the World and APSU SAAC’s Canned Food Drive; helped raise funds for pediatric cancer research
Chris Leonardo, Marist, OT, R-Jr. (Pioneer Football League)
On the Field: Starting right tackle for three consecutive seasons; in 2024 season, played 95 percent of the Red Foxes’ snaps and allowed just two sacks on 388 pass attempts
In the Classroom: Majoring in Economics (3.85 GPA); Campbell Trophy semifinalist; three-time PFL Academic Honor Roll
In the Community: White Ribbon campaign (a movement aimed at ending violence against women and girls); fund-raising for The Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse; Special Olympics volunteer
JaCobian Morgan, Jackson State, QB, Grad (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
On the Field: 2024 All-SWAC second team and Celebration Bowl Offensive MVP; 2025 Stats Perform Walter Payton and HBCU National Player of the Year preseason watch lists
In the Classroom: Graduate of Jackson State, pursuing Master's degree; William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist
In the Community: Gun violence youth prevention and football camps; Children's Hospital "Tailgating with Friends"; Middle school speaker
Micah Nelson, Western Carolina, DE, R-Sr. (Southern Conference)
On the Field: Starter since 2020 season; second-team All-SoCon preseason honoree
In the Classroom: Bachelor degree in Education (Health and Physical Education), pursuing Master's in Sport Management; working through a 200-hour internship and developing a project that he leads; two-time William V. Campbell Trophy nominee and 2025 semifinalist
In the Community: Team initiatives in the community following the tragedies of Hurricane Helene; elementary school reading
Liam O’Brien, Penn, QB, Sr. (Ivy League)
On the Field: Starter since midseason 2024 and one of the Ivy League’s top passers this season; first player in Quakers history to account for five-or-more touchdowns in two separate games
In the Classroom: Finance and Business Analytics double major (3.85 GPA); William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist
In the Community: Uplifting Athletes, a non-profit organization that invests in lives of those affected by rare disease; National Marrow Donor Program
Derek Robertson, Monmouth, QB, Grad (CAA Football)
On the Field: Was the 2025 FCS leader in passing, passing TDs and total offense before suffering an injury in the Hawks’ seventh game; 2024 CAA offensive player of the year and Walter Payton Award finalist
In the Classroom: Bachelor degree in Business Administration with a focus in Finance (3.31 GPA), currently pursuing an MBA; CAA’s 2025 Chuck Boone Leadership and Excellence Award, voted on by the league’s athletics directors; frequent CAA Commissioner’s Honor Roll
In the Community: Participant in Read Across America and National Marrow Donor Program; served as athletics department ambassador for the Monmouth University Excellence Fund
Shawn Solomon Jr., Duquesne, RB, Jr. (NEC Football)
On the Field: 2024 NEC offensive rookie of the year; has surpassed rookie totals in 2025
In the Classroom: Majoring in Education (3.50 GPA); two-time NEC Academic Honor Roll honoree; completed field placements at Falk Laboratory School and the Campus Laboratory School at Carlow University
In the Community: Active alum of the AD99 Foundation, a non-profit founded by former NFL star Aaron Donald and supporting underserved youth through programs in education, arts and athletics; Pittsburgh Brashear High School mentoring; youth flag football coach
Ky Thomas, Stephen F. Austin, DE, Grad (Southland Conference)
On the Field: Well-rounded statistical line over last two seasons, including 18.0 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and 19 QB hurries; 2025 SFA Football Single-Digit Number Honoree (uniform No. 0), voted on by teammates and awarded to players who showcase exceptional leadership in the locker room
In the Classroom: Bachelor degree in Business Administration and Management, currently pursuing MBA; William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist
In the Community: SFA Football Kids Camp; Nacogdoches Blueberry Festival; MLK Day of Service; Thanksgiving Homebound Project