Eastern Michigan Athletics
Dooley Named Semifinalist for Witten Award
10/18/2023 12:01:00 PM | Football
Senior one of 20 being considered for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award
DALLAS (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University football senior Brian Dooley (Bowling Green, Ohio/Toledo St. John's Jesuit) was named one of 20 semifinalists being considered to be named the 2023 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, the selection committee announced today, Oct. 18. The seventh annual award features semifinalists who have all demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.
"It's an honor to announce the semifinalists for the Collegiate Man of the Year," said Witten. "This fantastic group of 20 young men are great student-athletes and perfect examples of what makes college football so great. They have demonstrated exceptional character and leadership, often while facing large challenges. They are great representatives for their schools and the game of football, and I commend all nominees for getting to this point."
A two-time captain for the Eagles, Dooley is also a two-time All-MAC honoree who has started 54 games and played in 56 in his career, and can tie the school record for both starts and games played in his next game. His dedication to the community is impressive, having participated in a mission trip to Guatemala and regularly volunteering in schools near campus where he has logged more than 100 hours. But perhaps his most selfless act came ahead of the 2023 season when he gave his full-ride scholarship to fellow lineman Zach Conti (Trenton, Mich./Trenton), who was working construction and donating plasma to try and pay for tuition.
Dooley is one of two players from "Group of Five" schools on the list, joining Xavier McDonald (DB) from the United States Naval Academy, who plays in the American Athletic Conference. All told the semifinalists are comprised of 16 seniors, three juniors, and one sophomore. Among conferences, the ACC leads the way with five selections, the Big Ten has four, the SEC and Big 12 each have three, and the PAC 12 has two. Notre Dame, an independent in football, also has one selection.
The award, presented by Albertsons and Tom Thumb, is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player's leadership, both on and off the field. Leadership is a term synonymous with Jason Witten, who, in addition to becoming one of the best tight ends in the history of the sport, served as one of football's most prominent role models during his 16-year pro career. In addition to winning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2012, Witten also received the Bart Starr Award, Pro Football Weekly's Humanitarian of the Year Award, Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP and the Bob Lilly Award, among many others. All of those honors have recognized his work in the community, achievements on the field and dedication to his teammates and family.
Three finalists for the award will be announced Wednesday, Dec. 13. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony in Frisco, Texas, Feb. 15, 2024.
Dooley and the Eagles are set to take on Northern Illinois University Saturday, Oct. 21, in DeKalb, Ill. The game, which will be played inside Huskie Stadium, will kick at 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT) on ESPN+. As always, fans can hear the game for free on WEMU (89.1 FM) or the Varsity Network app with veteran broadcasters Tom Helmer and Rob Rubick calling the action from the press box.
2023 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Semifinalists
DeWayne Carter • Duke • Sr. • DT
Matthew Cindric • California • Sr. • OL
Brian Dooley • Eastern Michigan • Sr. • OL
Jordan Travis • Florida State • Sr. • QB
Dylan Leonard • Georgia Tech • Sr. • TE
Jack Freeman • Houston • Sr. • C
Isaiah Williams • Illinois • Jr. • WR
J.J. Weaver • Kentucky • Sr. • LB
Josh Williams • LSU • Sr. • RB
Blake Corum • Michigan • Sr. • RB
Xavier McDonald • Navy • Sr. • DB
Joe Shmiko • NC State • Sr. • LS
Sam Hartman • Notre Dame • Sr. • QB
Cade Stover • Ohio State • Sr. • TE
Joe Milton III • Tennessee • Sr. • QB
Tony Bradford • Texas Tech • Sr. • DL
Caleb Williams • USC • Jr. • QB
Mike Hollins • Virginia • Sr. • RB
Zach Frazier • West Virginia • Jr. • DB
Chimere Dike • Wisconsin • So. • WR
"It's an honor to announce the semifinalists for the Collegiate Man of the Year," said Witten. "This fantastic group of 20 young men are great student-athletes and perfect examples of what makes college football so great. They have demonstrated exceptional character and leadership, often while facing large challenges. They are great representatives for their schools and the game of football, and I commend all nominees for getting to this point."
A two-time captain for the Eagles, Dooley is also a two-time All-MAC honoree who has started 54 games and played in 56 in his career, and can tie the school record for both starts and games played in his next game. His dedication to the community is impressive, having participated in a mission trip to Guatemala and regularly volunteering in schools near campus where he has logged more than 100 hours. But perhaps his most selfless act came ahead of the 2023 season when he gave his full-ride scholarship to fellow lineman Zach Conti (Trenton, Mich./Trenton), who was working construction and donating plasma to try and pay for tuition.
Dooley is one of two players from "Group of Five" schools on the list, joining Xavier McDonald (DB) from the United States Naval Academy, who plays in the American Athletic Conference. All told the semifinalists are comprised of 16 seniors, three juniors, and one sophomore. Among conferences, the ACC leads the way with five selections, the Big Ten has four, the SEC and Big 12 each have three, and the PAC 12 has two. Notre Dame, an independent in football, also has one selection.
The award, presented by Albertsons and Tom Thumb, is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player's leadership, both on and off the field. Leadership is a term synonymous with Jason Witten, who, in addition to becoming one of the best tight ends in the history of the sport, served as one of football's most prominent role models during his 16-year pro career. In addition to winning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2012, Witten also received the Bart Starr Award, Pro Football Weekly's Humanitarian of the Year Award, Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP and the Bob Lilly Award, among many others. All of those honors have recognized his work in the community, achievements on the field and dedication to his teammates and family.
Three finalists for the award will be announced Wednesday, Dec. 13. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony in Frisco, Texas, Feb. 15, 2024.
Dooley and the Eagles are set to take on Northern Illinois University Saturday, Oct. 21, in DeKalb, Ill. The game, which will be played inside Huskie Stadium, will kick at 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT) on ESPN+. As always, fans can hear the game for free on WEMU (89.1 FM) or the Varsity Network app with veteran broadcasters Tom Helmer and Rob Rubick calling the action from the press box.
2023 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Semifinalists
DeWayne Carter • Duke • Sr. • DT
Matthew Cindric • California • Sr. • OL
Brian Dooley • Eastern Michigan • Sr. • OL
Jordan Travis • Florida State • Sr. • QB
Dylan Leonard • Georgia Tech • Sr. • TE
Jack Freeman • Houston • Sr. • C
Isaiah Williams • Illinois • Jr. • WR
J.J. Weaver • Kentucky • Sr. • LB
Josh Williams • LSU • Sr. • RB
Blake Corum • Michigan • Sr. • RB
Xavier McDonald • Navy • Sr. • DB
Joe Shmiko • NC State • Sr. • LS
Sam Hartman • Notre Dame • Sr. • QB
Cade Stover • Ohio State • Sr. • TE
Joe Milton III • Tennessee • Sr. • QB
Tony Bradford • Texas Tech • Sr. • DL
Caleb Williams • USC • Jr. • QB
Mike Hollins • Virginia • Sr. • RB
Zach Frazier • West Virginia • Jr. • DB
Chimere Dike • Wisconsin • So. • WR
Players Mentioned
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