McClendon Curtis is the Chattanooga Mocs second straight finalist for the Stats Perform Doris Robinson Award
photo by Dale Rutemeyer/GoMocs.com
Chattanooga Mocs offensive lineman McClendon Curtis is a finalist for the 2021 Stats Perform FCS Doris Robinson Award. The All-Southern Conference guard is one of four underclassmen among the 15 narrowed down for the honor.
Curtis started all 11 games at right guard for the Mocs. He and left guard Cole Strange are arguably the best guard combo in FCS football. He helped lead a line that ranked among the national leaders in two key categories.
That unit was No. 4 in sacks allowed tying the school record with just nine over the 11 contests.
It was 12th in tackles for loss allowed at just four per game. Both numbers led the Southern Conference. His room paved the way for 205.5 yards rushing per game which is the most since 2016 (206.6).
“McClendon is certainly deserving of this honor,” Coach Rusty Wright explained. “He has a huge impact on our team and University on and off the field and is a national leader.”
The Chattanooga native is on the NCAA Football Oversight Committee Student-Athlete Connection Group. There are members from all NCAA Divisions with Curtis focused on DI. His term runs from Sept. 23, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
Curtis is also employed by student support services on campus working as a tutor while graduating in four years before starting his Master's in Teacher Leadership. He's served as a peer mentor for the University’s First Year Experience as well as the Summer Bridge Program in Student-Athlete Support Services where he worked with incoming freshmen on time management, expectations of the student-athlete experience and sexual assault prevention.
Quarterback Drayton Arnold was a finalist for the 2020-21 award this past spring. Curtis is the 21st finalist for a Stats Perform FCS national honor. He joins defensive lineman Devonnsha Maxwell, who was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, among this year’s top performers.
The Doris Robinson Award is presented to the Scholar Athlete of the Year by Stats Perform. It is selected by the organization from the conference-nominated finalists and is named on Wednesday, Dec. 15. This year’s finalists:
McClendon Curtis, Chattanooga, OL, R-Jr. (Southern) – Degree in Sports Management, 3.30; pursuing Master’s in Teacher Leadership
Troy Andersen, Montana State, LB, Sr. (Big Sky) – Degree in Agricultural Business, 3.91
Bennett Dondoyano, San Diego, WR, R-Sr. (Pioneer) – Finance and Marketing, 3.82
Seth Carlisle, Tennessee Tech, LB, Jr. (Ohio Valley) – Biology Health Sciences (pre-dentistry), 3.61
Davis Cheek, Elon, QB, Sr. (CAA) –Degree in Strategic Communications, 3.51; pursuing MBA
Jake Dixon, Duquesne, OL, Grad (Northeast) – Master’s in Accounting, 4.0
ZeVeyon Furcron, Southern Illinois, OL, Sr. (Missouri Valley) – Master of Science in Education, 3.88
Maurio Goings, Delaware State, LB, R-Fr. (Mid-Eastern Athletic) – Biological Sciences with Chemistry minor, 3.77
Ezra Gray, Alabama State, RB, R-Sr. (Southwestern Athletic) – Degree in Computer Information Systems, 4.0
Gavin Landry, Northwestern State, WR, R-Sr. (Southland) – Degree in Business Administration, 3.94
Parker McKinney, Eastern Kentucky, QB, R-So. (ASUN) – Public Health, 3.42 GPA
Peter Oliver, Holy Cross, RB, Sr. (Patriot) – Chemistry and Spanish double major, 3.95
Caleb O'Neal, Kennesaw State, WR, Grad (Big South) – Biology, 3.43
Deven Osborne, Dixie State, WR, Sr. (Western Athletic) – Degree in Business Administration, 3.31
Spencer Rolland, Harvard, OL, Sr. (Ivy) – Mechanical Engineering, 3.85