A diverse, talented group of 13 FCS college football players are finalists for the 2024 FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award, now in its 10th anniversary season. In November, each finalist is being profiled on TheAnalyst.com for his excellence both on and off the field.
Central Connecticut State’s Dan Toatley has continued to succeed against the odds over his six-year college career.
The senior defensive lineman joined the Blue Devils as a walk-on in 2019, but did not see any action until his third season in 2021. Since then, Toatley has been one of the more successful defensive linemen in the Northeast Conference.
The success also extends off the field, which has led him to be named a finalist for the 2024 FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award.
The 10th annual award, named after the late schoolteacher and the wife of legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson, is presented to a student-athlete in FCS college football who excels on the playing field, in the classroom and across the community. Toatley is one of 13 finalists – one from each NCAA Division I FCS conference.
The winner will be announced on Dec. 10 and honored at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas. (Here’s a look at FCS National Awards history).
Dan Toatley made a particular impact during Central Connecticut State’s National Marrow Donor Program drive involving students, faculty and staff. He matched with a patient in need last year and donated his bone marrow in February.
Toatley was inspired after losing his father and brother, which created a need to honor his family members. He became only the second CCSU football player to match with a patient and donate bone marrow through the annual event.
His impact earned him the New England Football Writers Association’s Jerry Nason Award, given to the student-athlete who has succeeded in football against all odds. Toatley graduated with a degree in Criminology with a 3.56 GPA, then enrolled in the Criminal Justice master’s program at CCSU.
His Doris Robinson Award candidacy includes:
On the Field
- Has recorded 139 total tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks over his career
- Earned 2023 first-team All-NEC honors after leading the conference in sacks per game (0.55) and setting his career high with 52 tackles
- Has served as a team captain
In the Classroom
- Graduated with a 3.56 cumulative GPA while majoring in Criminology; now enrolled in the Criminal Justice master’s program
- Five-time NEC Academic Honor Roll Member
In the Community
- Donated bone marrow to a patient in need as part of the annual National Marrow Donor Program drive (formerly “Be the Match”) at Central Connecticut State
- NEFWA Jerry Nason Award recipient, presented to the student-athlete who has succeeded in football against all odds
FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award Finalists
Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington, WR (Big Sky Conference)
James Conway, Fordham, LB (Patriot League)
Caleb Curtain, Elon, DB (CAA Football)
Paxton DeLaurent, Southeast Missouri, QB (Big South-OVC Football Association)
Jewelz-Unique Demps, East Texas A&M, DB (Southland Conference)
Mark Gronowski, South Dakota State, QB (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Chandler Kirton, Austin Peay, OL (United Athletic Conference)
Reuben Lowery III, Chattanooga, DB (Southern Conference)
Matt Noll, Jackson State, P (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Julian Rawlins, Davidson, DL (Pioneer Football League)
Ben Sahakian, Cornell, LB (Ivy League)
Dan Toatley, Central Connecticut State, DL (Northeast Conference)
Juan Velarde, North Carolina Central, P (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Follow all of our FCS football coverage, including on X, Facebook and Instagram.
