MANHEIM, Pa. --- Tusculum University's Tommy Mahoney has been named one of 33 nominees for the 2022 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award, which is presented by the Manheim Touchdown Club.
The award is voted on by the nation's NCAA Division II athletic media relations directors. Two finalists will advance from each of the four NCAA II Super Regions to a national ballot to select the winner. All nominees must be seniors or graduate players / transfers.
Mahoney, a 6-1, 305-pound offensive center from Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, is a two-time All-South Atlantic Conference first team honoree. He was named to the 2021 All-SAC first team and was tabbed to the 2022 All-SAC Mountain Division squad as a first team pick.
He was the lone player on the Tusculum offensive line to start in all 11 games this season. He graded out at 92 percent on the year and finished with 26 pancake blocks. He completed his career making 26 consecutive starts for the Pioneers as TU offense averaged 30.5 points per game (4th in SAC) and generated 396.5 offensive yards (2nd in SAC / 49th in NCAA II). Tusculum was also the No. 2 pass offense in the league, averaging 235 yards per game (39th in NCAA II). The Pioneers also recorded 217 first downs which were the second-most in the SAC.
Joining Mahoney on the Super Region 2 ballot are: Emanuel Boone (Fort Valley St.), DJ Horne (Wingate), Trayzel Jureidini-Wyche (Carson-Newman), Nicolas Melsop (Delta St.), Dalton Simpler (West Florida), Cameron Thomason (Limestone) and Kody Varn (Newberry).
Regional voting will conclude Nov. 22 with the announcement of the eight national finalists. National round voting will begin Nov. 25 and close Dec. 2. The 2022 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award recipient will be announced on Dec. 5.
The award recipient has an invitation to participate in front of professional scouts and coaches at the East-West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas, Nevada on Feb. 2, 2023. The winner will also be recognized at the Manheim Touchdown Club's annual banquet.
The NFL recognizes, endorses and supports the winner of the award by guaranteeing a place in the all-star games. The support comes as recognition and appreciation for the late Mr. Upshaw, who was not only an All-Pro lineman for the Oakland Raiders, but later served as the executive director of the NFL Players Association for 25 years. Upshaw, a former standout offensive lineman at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M Kingsville), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 in his first year of eligibility.
Tusculum completed the 2022 season with an 8-3 record and finished runner-up in the SAC Mountain Division. TU's eight wins are tied for the third-most in a season in school history.
Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award
Super Region 2 Nominees
Emanuel Boone (Fort Valley St.)
DJ Horne (Wingate)
Trayzel Jureidini-Wyche (Carson-Newman)
Tommy Mahoney (Tusculum)
Nicolas Melsop (Delta State)
Dalton Simpler (West Florida)
Cameron Thomason (Limestone)
Kody Varn (Newberry)
