Florida State Announces Team Awards For 2023 Season

Despite how the last couple of weeks have unfolded, there is still a lot worth celebrating about Florida State's performance throughout the 2023 season. The Seminoles finished the regular season undefeated and won the ACC Championship for the first time in nine years.

Here's a full list of the Seminoles who were honored for their performances and a breakdown of the awards.

Offensive Most Improved Player: Tight End Jackson West

West appeared in eight games during the 2023 season, seeing 10+ snaps in two of FSU's last three games.

Defensive Most Improved Player: Defensive Tackle Joshua Farmer and Cornerback Jarrian Jones

Jones has been named one of the defense's most improved players for the second straight year. He totaled a career-high 25 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three pass deflections, three interceptions, and one defensive touchdown.

Farmer developed into a starter and had a career year with 32 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble, and two pass deflections.

Crenshaw Award (Presented by the Tallahassee QB Club to the offensive player with the most heart): Offensive Lineman D'Mitri Emmanuel and Wide Receiver Johnny Wilson

Emmanuel returned to Florida State for his seventh year at the college level and was a key piece on the offensive line.

Wilson fought through injuries to make an impact on the offense. He caught 41 passes for 617 yards and two touchdowns.

Monk Bonasorte Award (Presented by the Tallahassee QB Club to the defensive player with the most heart: Safety Shyheim Brown and defensive end Patrick Payton

Brown took over a starting role in 2023 and blossomed. He recorded 46 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, one fumble recovery, one interception, and three pass deflections.

Payton built off his campaign last year to have success once again. He totaled 42 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble, and ten pass deflections.

Don Powell Award (Presented by the Orlando Seminole Club to the Unsung Heroes): Linebacker AJ Cottrill, safety Akeem Dent, wide receiver Ja'Khi Douglas, cornerback Renardo Green, long snapper James Rosenberry Jr and offensive lineman Darius Washington

Cottrill played a role on special teams after joining the program as a walk-on. He recorded six tackles while appearing on multiple special teams units.

Dent had arguably his most impactful season during his final year with the program. He totaled 44 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass deflection.

Douglas stepped up throughout the year when injuries hit the wide receivers. He caught 12 passes for 230 yards.

Green continued his lockdown ways on the outside, flying under the radar with his impact on one of the best defenses in the country. He recorded 43 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 13 pass deflections, and an interception.

Rosenberry Jr. earned a scholarship before the season and snapped for Alex Mastromanno and Ryan Fitzgerald during standout seasons.

Washington played across the offensive line with the unit banged up for much of the year. He started at left tackle and center while also spending time at the other tackle spot.

Bill McGrotha Award (Presented by the Tallahassee QB Club to the top Humanitarians): Tight end Brian Courtney, cornerback Fentrell Cypress II, kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, defensive tackle Darrell Jackson, offensive lineman Casey Roddick, cornerback Azareye'h Thomas

The Seminoles have made community service and giving back a major part of their program. Former offensive lineman Dillan Gibbons helped lead the charge with his efforts through Big Man Big Heart over the years. That legacy has continued with tight end Brian Courtney, cornerback Fentrell Cypress II, kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, defensive tackle Darrell Jackson, offensive lineman Casey Roddick, and cornerback Azareye'h Thomas being honored this season.

Devaughn Darling Award (Presented to the defensive freshmen of the year): Safety Conrad Hussey

Hussey has made his presence felt since arriving at Florida State in June and that carried over into the season. He recorded 15 tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, and two pass deflections.

Offensive Newcomers of the Year: Tight End Jaheim Bell, Offensive Lineman Jeremiah Byers, Offensive Lineman Casey Roddick, Tight End Kyle Morlock

The Seminoles had multiple transfers assume big roles on offense after joining the program out of the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Bell was a versatile playmaker on the unit. He caught 39 passes for 503 yards and two touchdowns while adding a score on the ground.

Byers locked down the right tackle spot and came on strong during the second half of the year. He started all 13 games.

Roddick started the majority of the season at left guard. He started 12 of 13 games for the Seminoles.

Morlock moved up from the D2 level. There was a learning curve but he still caught 19 passes for 255 yards.

Special Teams Newcomer of the Year: Defensive Back Donny Hiebert and linebacker Blake Nichelson

Hiebert totaled five tackles while playing on special teams during his first season with the program.

Nichelson, also in his first year with the Seminoles, finished with 14 tackles and a pass deflection.

Bobby Bowden Leadership Award: Running back Trey Benson, linebacker Tatum Bethune, cornerback Jarrian Jones, offensive lineman Maurice Smith, defensive end Jared Verse, wide receiver Johnny Wilson

The Seminoles were aided by numerous leaders on both sides of the ball.

Benson rushed 156 times for 905 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 20 passes for 227 yards and a score.

Smith started in all 11 games that he appeared in. He fought through injuries to stay in multiple games.

Wilson caught 41 passes for 617 yards and two touchdowns.

Bethune finished with 70 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three pass deflections, and an interception.

Jones recorded a career-high 25 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three pass deflections, three interceptions, and one defensive touchdown.

Verse totaled 41 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and three pass deflections.

Offensive Scout Team Players of the Year: Offensive Lineman Andre' Otto and running back Demetric Stephens

Otto is a true freshman with a lot of potential. He played in one game during the regular season.

Stephens is a walk-on who just completed his first season with the Seminoles.

Defensive Scout Team Players of the Year: Defensive tackle Liam McCormick and defensive tackle KJ Sampson

McCormick was honored as a scout team player of the year for the second straight season. He entered the transfer portal earlier this month.

Sampson appeared in four games and recorded one tackle during his first year with the program.

Special Teams Scout Team Players of the Year: Linebacker Emile Aime

Aime is a walk-on at Florida State and a key part of the scout team preparations.

Defensive MVPs: Linebacker Kalen DeLoach and defensive end Jared Verse

DeLoach has developed into a standout defender throughout his career. He saved his best performance for his last season with the Seminoles, recording 66 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, two pass deflections, and a defensive touchdown.

Verse was honored as one of Florida State's defensive MVPs for the second straight year. He totaled 41 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and three pass deflections.

Offensive MVP: Quarterback Jordan Travis

Travis concluded his final season at Florida State as the offensive MVP of the program. Despite going down with a season-ending injury in the home finale, he completed 207/324 passes for 2,756 yards with 20 touchdowns to two interceptions while rushing 73 times for 176 yards and seven scores on the ground.