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.
Fordham’s James Conway is one of the most accomplished linebackers in Patriot League history.
The senior has set the Patriot League’s career tackles with 436, and he’s earned all-league honors in each of his first three seasons.
His ability to create a similar impact off the field has made him 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. Conway 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).
James Conway has served his community by volunteering for Part of the Solution (POTS), a local soup kitchen in New York. The organization is the leading provider of emergency food, social services and legal representation in the community. It also helps organize and serve meals to the less fortunate in the community surrounding Fordham.
Conway’s success extends to the classroom, where he has earned a 3.57 cumulative GPA in Business Administration. He’s a two-time Academic All-Patriot League selection and earned CSC Academic All-District honors in 2023. He also has been named to the PL Academic Honor Roll in three consecutive seasons.
Conway’s leadership helped lead Fordham to the 2022 FCS playoffs for the first time in seven years. Despite being limited to only three games by injury this season, he leads all active FCS players in total tackles (436) and total tackles per game (11.5). He’s eligible to return for a redshirt season next year.
His Doris Robinson Award candidacy includes:
On the Field
- Leads all active FCS players with 436 total tackles (the Patriot League record) and 11.5 tackles per game in his career
- Earned 2024 Stats Perform Preseason FCS All-American honors
- Three-time All-Patriot League selection (2021-23)
In the Classroom
- Has earned a 3.57 cumulative GPA majoring in Business Administration
- Two-time Academic All-Patriot League selection
- CSC Academic All-District selection in 2023
In the Community
- Volunteered for Part of the Solution (POTS), a local soup kitchen in New York that serves meals to the less fortunate in the community around Fordham
- Participates in Fordham’s Team IMPACT program, which has matched a young boy named Hudson to the Rams team. The national non-profit organization matches children with serious illness and disability to college athletic teams – fostering socialization, empowerment and resilience.
2024 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.
