Botner a finalist for the Dorris Robinson Award

Montana center Dillon Botner of Whitefish again added to his lengthy off-field resume after being named the Big Sky Conference's representative for the 2025 Dorris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award, Stats Perform announced on Tuesday.

The Doris Robinson Award, first presented in 2015 and in its 11th season, honors FCS student-athletes who exemplify excellence on the field, in the classroom and across the community. The values embody the leadership and integrity championed by Doris Robinson, a former schoolteacher and the wife of legendary Grambling State University coach Eddie Robinson.

As the Big Sky's selection for the award, Botner is now one of just 13 players in the FCS – one from each conference in the subdivision – to be named a finalist.

The Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award recipient will be announced on Dec. 9, then honored at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show on Jan. 3 in Nashville, Tennessee. Also to be presented are the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year) and HBCU National Player of the Year Award.

It's the second major academic accolade for Botner this year after being named a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's William V. Campbell Trophy in September – also known as the "Academic Heisman."

With eyes set on medical school and a career as an orthopedic surgeon, Botner has earned bachelor's degrees with Magna Cum Laude honors in biochemistry, biology, and neuroscience. He's also earned a minor in physics and is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in business entrepreneurship, all while maintaining a 3.70 GPA and balancing D-I football at the same time. He's the only one of the 177 semifinalists to have obtained three bachelor's degrees.

On the field he's started every game this season at center to bring his career total to 14 starts and 50 total appearances for the Griz. A four-time letterman, he was the team's 2024 Tony Barbour Award Winner for "most inspirational player" after battling back from knee injury.

A week one team captain, he's been a part of offensive lines that have helped pave the way for back-to-back 2,000-plus yard rushing seasons. Now in his final season of eligibility, he's gone 56-15 in his career as a Grizzly and helped lead the team to the 2023 Big Sky Championship.

An active member of the Missoula community, he's put in over 46 hours of volunteer work in his time at UM as well. He's volunteered at high school sporting events, helped lead Montana's National Marrow Donor Registry efforts, assisted elderly neighbors of the university rake fall leaves, seeded a burn scar from a fire on Mt. Sentinel, assisted with youth football camps and clinics, and much more.

Montana has now had four finalists for the award in its 11-year history. Rhodes Scholarship finalist Derek Crittenden was selected in 2015, Reggie Tilleman in 2018 and Dante Olson in 2019 were also finalists.

2025 Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award Finalists

Dillon Botner, Montana, OL, Grad (Big Sky Conference)
On the Field: Over 40 career appearances; 2025 starter on one of the FCS' more potent offenses
In the Classroom: Three separate Bachelor degrees in Biochemistry (Health Professions), Biology (Human Biological Sciences) and Neuroscience (Cellular and Molecular) with a Physics minor (3.70 GPA)
In the Community: High school sporting event and football camp/clinic volunteer; National Marrow Donor Program; Neighbors Helping Neighbors Leaf Raking; Civic & Community; Seeding a Burn Scar on Mt. Sentinel

James Conway, Fordham, LB, Gr. (Patriot League)
On the Field: Four-time All-Patriot League selection; Division I leader in career tackles since at least 2000
In The Classroom: Bachelor degree in Marketing Information systems (3.71 GPA) with Master's study in Artificial Intelligence; 2024 Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award finalist and 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy finalist
In The Community: Part of the Solution (POTS), a provider of emergency food, social services and legal representation in New York; Team Impact; elementary school reading

Erick Hunter, Morgan State, LB, R-Sr. (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
On the Field: 2025 MEAC preseason defensive player of the year and Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America second team; 287 tackles and 34 TFLs in his career
In the Classroom: Majoring in Business Administration (3.04 GPA); consistently on MSU Athletic Director's Honor Roll
In the Community: Volunteer at Baltimore's Marian House, working with families that have experienced trauma; Youth camps involvement and with Omega Psi Phi fraternity's partnership with Food 4 Thought Community Outreach Services Inc.

Tremel Jones, Tennessee Tech, WR, R-Sr. (OVC-Big South Football Association)
On the Field: Two-year starting wide receiver and a returner
In the Classroom: Majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies (3.37 GPA) with plans for an Exercise Science post-graduate field of study; William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist
In the Community: Cookeville-Putnam County Animal Shelter volunteer; Tech Food Pantry; local elementary school reading

Chandler Kirton, Austin Peay, OL, Grad (United Athletic Conference)
On the Field: Set program record with a 45th consecutive start on Nov. 8; 2023 first-team All-UAC and a 2025 preseason selection
In the Classroom: Earned Bachelor degree in Management (3.92 GPA), currently pursuing an MBA; previously a 2024 Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award finalist as well as the UAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year; 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy finalist (the first in APSU history)
In the Community: Austin Peay Student-Athlete Advisory Committee since 2023; volunteered as a tutor in APSU Athletics Study Hall, Buddy Ball, Operation Christmas Child, Clarksville Feeds the World and APSU SAAC's Canned Food Drive; helped raise funds for pediatric cancer research

Logan Kopp, North Dakota State, LB, Sr. (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
On the Field: 2023 Buck Buchanan Award finalist; led the Bison's 2024 national championship team in tackles and interceptions, and was second in tackles for loss and sacks
In the Classroom: Majoring in Mechanical Engineering (3.76 GPA); two-time MVFC Scholar-Athlete team
In the Community: Night to Shine; Feed My Starving Children; TNT Kids Fitness; Royal Family Kids Camp; Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center and Fargo VA hospital visits; elementary school reading

Chris Leonardo, Marist, OT, R-Jr. (Pioneer Football League)
On the Field: Starting right tackle for three consecutive seasons; in 2024 season, played 95 percent of the Red Foxes' snaps and allowed just two sacks on 388 pass attempts
In the Classroom: Majoring in Economics (3.85 GPA); Campbell Trophy semifinalist; three-time PFL Academic Honor Roll
In the Community: White Ribbon campaign (a movement aimed at ending violence against women and girls); fund-raising for The Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse; Special Olympics volunteer

JaCobian Morgan, Jackson State, QB, Grad (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
On the Field: 2024 All-SWAC second team and Celebration Bowl Offensive MVP; 2025 Stats Perform Walter Payton and HBCU National Player of the Year preseason watch lists
In the Classroom: Graduate of Jackson State, pursuing Master's degree; William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist
In the Community: Gun violence youth prevention and football camps; Children's Hospital "Tailgating with Friends"; Middle school speaker

Micah Nelson, Western Carolina, DE, R-Sr. (Southern Conference)
On the Field: Starter since 2020 season; second-team All-SoCon preseason honoree
In the Classroom: Bachelor degree in Education (Health and Physical Education), pursuing Master's in Sport Management; working through a 200-hour internship and developing a project that he leads; two-time William V. Campbell Trophy nominee and 2025 semifinalist
In the Community: Team initiatives in the community following the tragedies of Hurricane Helene; elementary school reading

Liam O'Brien, Penn, QB, Sr. (Ivy League)
On the Field: Starter since midseason 2024 and one of the Ivy League's top passers this season; first player in Quakers history to account for five-or-more touchdowns in two separate games
In the Classroom: Finance and Business Analytics double major (3.85 GPA); William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist
In the Community: Uplifting Athletes, a non-profit organization that invests in lives of those affected by rare disease; National Marrow Donor Program

Derek Robertson, Monmouth, QB, Grad (CAA Football)
On the Field: Was the 2025 FCS leader in passing, passing TDs and total offense before suffering an injury in the Hawks' seventh game; 2024 CAA offensive player of the year and Walter Payton Award finalist
In the Classroom: Bachelor degree in Business Administration with a focus in Finance (3.31 GPA), currently pursuing an MBA; CAA's 2025 Chuck Boone Leadership and Excellence Award, voted on by the league's athletics directors; frequent CAA Commissioner's Honor Roll
In the Community: Participant in Read Across America and National Marrow Donor Program; served as athletics department ambassador for the Monmouth University Excellence Fund

Shawn Solomon Jr., Duquesne, RB, Jr. (NEC Football)
On the Field: 2024 NEC offensive rookie of the year; has surpassed rookie totals in 2025
In the Classroom: Majoring in Education (3.50 GPA); two-time NEC Academic Honor Roll honoree; completed field placements at Falk Laboratory School and the Campus Laboratory School at Carlow University
In the Community: Active alum of the AD99 Foundation, a non-profit founded by former NFL star Aaron Donald and supporting underserved youth through programs in education, arts and athletics; Pittsburgh Brashear High School mentoring; youth flag football coach

Ky Thomas, Stephen F. Austin, DE, Grad (Southland Conference)
On the Field: Well-rounded statistical line over last two seasons, including 18.0 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and 19 QB hurries; 2025 SFA Football Single-Digit Number Honoree (uniform No. 0), voted on by teammates and awarded to players who showcase exceptional leadership in the locker room
In the Classroom: Bachelor degree in Business Administration and Management, currently pursuing MBA; William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist
In the Community: SFA Football Kids Camp; Nacogdoches Blueberry Festival; MLK Day of Service; Thanksgiving Homebound Project

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