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.
While making a difference as North Carolina Central’s starting punter for four straight seasons, Juan Velarde also has established himself as one of the most-impactful FCS players off the playing field.
The redshirt senior’s continued success has led to him being a finalist for the 2024 FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award. He also received that distinction as a sophomore and a junior.
The 10th annual Doris Robinson 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. Velarde 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).
Juan Velarde has volunteered his time at multiple Durham-area schools, including W.G. Pearson Elementary, Durham Academy and Shepard Magnet Middle School. He serves on the Neuse River Middle School Men’s Discussion Group while serving as a CREAR (Culturally Responsive Engagement, Articulation and Research) mentor.
Velarde’s ability to serve as a leader in the community is evident in his selection to be the speaker for the U.S. Embassy in Peru during Hispanic Heritage Month. He also is a nominee for the Diamante Arts & Cultural Center Award for community engagement.
His Son of a Saint community service with the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is another example of Velarde’s impact off the field. He has found similar success in the classroom with memberships in multiple honors programs.
His Doris Robinson Award candidacy includes:
On the Field
- Ranks first in the MEAC as a senior in punting average per game (44.5)
- Has 178 punts through 44 career games
- Named to the 2024 MEAC preseason first team
In the Classroom
- Has earned a 4.00 cumulative GPA in Business Administration
- Named to the Academic All-District Team by the College Sports Communicators
- Member of the University Honors Program and Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society
In the Community
- Son of a Saint community service with Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
- Has volunteered with multiple Durham-area elementary and middle schools, including Durham Academy, Shepard Magnet Middle School and W.G. Pearson Elementary School
- Over 2,000 hours of community service.
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)
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