Jan. 6—NEW YORK, N.Y. — Four first-time selections headline this year’s recipients of the prestigious Rimington Award, presented annually to the top centers across FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA football for over two decades. On the list is Bemidji State fifth-years senior center Jake Gannon.
Gannon has earned the Rimington Award at the Division II level. Gannon, a graduate student from Franklin, Wisc., is a three-time All-NSIC honoree and five-time NSIC All-Academic Team member. Gannon overcame an injury during his senior year to comeback and lead Bemidji State as a graduate student, putting together a season that earned him a spot as a 2024 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award finalist.
Gannon anchored an offensive line that averaged 360.8 yards per game and helped guide the Beavers to the NCAA DII National Quarterfinals. He started in all 14 games for Bemidji State this season as the top center and earned a D2Football Elite 100 First Team Offense nod. A team captain, Gannon was named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Preseason Watch List’s Second Team Offense prior to the start of the season.
Following the season, he was named to the All-NSIC First Team Offense and Academic Team of Excellence, D2CCA All-Super Region 4 First Team, D2CCA All-American Second Team, AP All-American First Team and was a finalist for the 2024 Gene Upshaw Award.
At center, Gannon helped BSU’s rushing attack collect to 2,515 total yards this season, with 23 touchdowns and an average of 179.6 rushing yards per game. Bemidji State’s offense ranked in the top 50 of all NCAA Division II programs in third down conversion (47th), fourth down conversion (22nd), completion percentage (48th), first downs (14th), rushing offense (27th), sacks allowed (29th), tackles for loss allowed (17th), time of possession (25th) and winning percentage (35th).
Gannon’s blocking helped sophomore running back Jayden Washington reach over 1,000 career rushing yards in just his second season (1,034). The Beaver offensive line also propelled quarterback Sam McGath to 18th in the nation for passing touchdowns and 14th for points responsible for. BSU allowed just 1.21 sacks per game and 4.29 tackles for a loss per game.
Gannon and the rest of the honorees will be recognized at the Rimington Trophy Presentation on Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m. in Lincoln, Neb.
The Rimington Award winners are selected by Jason Dannelly, coordinator of the award and a prominent voice in college football for non-FBS divisions. Dannelly, the founder of the Victory Sports Network and a 20-year member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), continues the tradition of celebrating excellence with one of college football’s most distinguished honors. Nominations for each level come from a variety of scouts, coaches and media. In order to be considered for the award, the athlete much achieve a minimum of All-Conference status.
