FB: Helms, Tucker, Gibbs Make Preseason Watch Lists

Aug. 4, 2023

Contact: Joey Jones (jo*****@ap******.edu)

Secondary contact (lead writer): Bret Strelow (st******@ap******.edu)

RIMINGTON: https://appstatesports.com/news/2023/8/4/football-helms-named-to-watch-list-for-rimington-trophy.aspx

HORNUNG: https://appstatesports.com/news/2023/8/3/football-tucker-repeats-as-hornung-award-candidate.aspx

WUERFFEL: https://appstatesports.com/news/2023/8/3/football-gibbs-named-to-wuerffel-trophy-watch-list.aspx

RIMINGTON
BOONE, N.C. — App State’s Isaiah Helms has been named to the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, which goes to the nation’s top center.
 
An All-Sun Belt performer, Helms started the last six games at center in 2022 and has started in all 25 of his game appearances for the Mountaineers since transferring in from Western Carolina before the 2021 season. He was the Catamounts’ starting center for two seasons and was named a HERO Sports FCS Sophomore All-American in during the 2020-21 season that didn’t count against his eligibility.
 
Since its inception, the Rimington Trophy has raised more than $5 million for the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. Dave Rimington, the award’s namesake, was a consensus first-team All-America center at Nebraska in 1981 and 1982, during which time he became the John Outland Trophy’s only two-time winner as the nation’s finest college interior lineman.

HORNUNG

BOONE, N.C. — For the second straight year, App State’s Milan Tucker has been named to the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, which is given annually to the most versatile FBS player in the country.
 
The Paul Hornung Award is presented by Texas Roadhouse and given by the Louisville Sports Commission in the memory of the late football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung.

Over the last three seasons, Tucker has returned kicks while spending time at both cornerback and wide receiver, depending on team needs. He was a second-team All-American as a kick returner from the Football Writers Association of America last season, when he ranked second nationally (among qualifying players) with a kick return average of 28.2 yards (with 620 yards on 22 returns).
 
Tucker scored his first career touchdown with a 96-yard kickoff return at Marshall and also had key returns of 47 yards against North Carolina and 63 yards in the win against Georgia State. On defense, he contributed as a cornerback, starting at that position against Robert Morris.

WUERFFEL

BOONE, N.C. — App State tight end Miller Gibbs is a repeat nominee to the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, which is awarded to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.
 
Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel from Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy honors college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society and inspire greater service in the world.
 
During his App State career, Gibbs and other teammates have time coaching and being positive influences for participants in the Girls on the Run program. Gibbs also has led a bible study group involving members of App State’s football team.
 
Gibbs, who earned a management degree in December, has returned to App State for a sixth year and is pursuing a graduate certificate in business analytics. He has played in 45 career games, including all 12 during a 2022 season in which he made five starts and received the team’s Jerry Moore Award.

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