Andersen Named Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Semifinalist

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest soccer redshirt senior defensive again Nick Andersen was named as one in every of 20 semifinalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, the group introduced on Tuesday afternoon.

Entering his second 12 months as a workforce captain, Andersen has been a cornerstone of the protection throughout his whole profession. After a breakout three-interception efficiency towards nationally-ranked Virginia Tech in 2020, he was honored on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt of their “inspirational” tales piece following the aforementioned efficiency.

 Since then, Andersen has turn into a fan favourite and among the finest soccer gamers within the ACC, main the convention and rating within the high 10 nationally with 122 tackles final season.

 

Academically, he has excelled with exceptional distinction. Andersen graduated with a BA. in Communications and a minor in Entrepreneurship, and he’s presently pursuing his graduate diploma at Wake Forest in venture administration. He has earned recognition as a four-time All-ACC Academic Team honoree, a testomony to his constant tutorial excellence.

 

Nick’s efficiency extends past the sphere and classroom. His involvement in neighborhood service is commendable, with participation in 13 totally different initiatives, together with Santa’s Helper, the Juneteenth Annual Kickball Tournament and Wake Forest Victory Day. His dedication to service displays his dedication to creating a constructive impression on these round him. Andersen exemplifies the spirit of teamwork, dedication, and excellence that the William V. Campbell Trophy honors.

About the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award

The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award is introduced yearly to the FBS faculty soccer participant who has demonstrated a document of management by exhibiting distinctive braveness, integrity and sportsmanship each on and off the sphere. The award honors the kind of exemplary character and dedication to neighborhood, household and teammates demonstrated by Jason Witten, the 2012 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year and one of the crucial distinguished function fashions within the recreation.

More on Andersen on the Field

Through six video games, Nick Andersen leads the workforce in tackles, totaling 41, together with a team-high and season-high 11 towards NC State.

Going into the bye week, Andersen ranks fifth within the ACC in tackles per recreation:

Rank                            School              Tackles/Game

1. Caden Fordham         NC State           9.9

2. Rasheem Biles          Pitt                   8.8

3. Cade Uluave             Cal                   8.7

4. KP Price                   B.C.                 8.5

5. Nick Andersen          Wake Forest     8.3

Overall in his Wake Forest profession, Andersen has collected 312 whole tackles, which ranks fifteenth in program historical past and is the fifth-most by a Demon Deacon since 2000:

Wake Forest Total Tackles Since 2000

Rank                                                   Total Tackles

1. Ryan Smenda Jr. (2018-22)                355

2. Aaron Curry (2005-08)                      332

3. Ryan Javion (2013-16)                       328

4. Brandon Chubb (2012-15)                  326

5. Nick Andersen (2020-Pres.)              312

6. Jon Abbate (2004-06)                        297

In 12 video games final season, Andersen was among the finest tacklers within the nation and led the Demon Deacons with 122 whole tackles (10.2), which is 28 greater than the subsequent closest participant on the workforce. Andersen was one in every of simply 17 gamers nationally with 120 or extra tackles final season.

In addition to main the workforce on this class, Andersen was additionally the ACC chief with the subsequent closest participant totaling 117 tackles final season. Andersen’s 10.2 tackles per recreation additionally ranked seventh nationally:

Rank                           School Tackles/Game

1. Shaun Dolac             Buffalo             12.9

2. Red Murdock            Buffalo             12.0

3. Travion Barnes          FIU                  11.7

4. Isaac Smith               Miss. State        11.5

5. Carson Schwesinger  UCLA              11.3

6. Stone Blanton            Miss. State        10.4

7. Nick Andersen          Wake Forest     10.2

8. Marques W-Trent      Ga. Southern     10.0

8. Bryan McCoy            Akron               10.0

10. Colin Ramos           Navy                9.9

 His 122 tackles are essentially the most by a Demon Deacon within the College Football Playoff period (2014-Pres.): 

1. Nick Andersen (2024) – 122

2. Ryan Smenda Jr. (2022) – 117

3. Ryan Janvion (2014) – 115

 

Andersen has recorded eight interceptions throughout his profession, together with a pair throughout the 2024 season. He sits simply exterior the highest 10 in program historical past and within the College Football Playoff period (2014-Pres.):

Career Interceptions in CFB Era (2014-Pres.)

Rank   Name                                      Career INTs

1.         Nick Andersen (2020-Pres.)      8

T2.       Amari Henderson (2016-19)      7

T2.       Jessie Bates III (2015-17)          6

T2.       Ja’Sir Taylor (2017-21)             6

5.         Essang Bassey (2016-19)           5