Andersen Named Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Semifinalist
10/14/2025 2:55:00 PM | Football
The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award is presented annually to the FBS college football player who has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest football redshirt senior defensive back Nick Andersen was named as one of 20 semifinalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, the organization announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Entering his second year as a team captain, Andersen has been a cornerstone of the defense during his entire career. After a breakout three-interception performance against nationally-ranked Virginia Tech in 2020, he was honored on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt in their "inspirational" stories piece following the aforementioned performance.
Since then, Andersen has become a fan favorite and one of the best football players in the ACC, leading the conference and ranking in the top 10 nationally with 122 tackles last season.
Academically, he has excelled with remarkable distinction. Andersen graduated with a BA. in Communications and a minor in Entrepreneurship, and he is currently pursuing his graduate degree at Wake Forest in project management. He has earned recognition as a four-time All-ACC Academic Team honoree, a testament to his consistent academic excellence.
Nick's performance extends beyond the field and classroom. His involvement in community service is commendable, with participation in 13 different initiatives, including Santa's Helper, the Juneteenth Annual Kickball Tournament and Wake Forest Victory Day. His dedication to service reflects his commitment to making a positive impact on those around 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 presented annually to the FBS college football player who has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field. The award honors the type of exemplary character and commitment to community, family and teammates demonstrated by Jason Witten, the 2012 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year and one of the most prominent role models in the game.
More on Andersen on the Field
Through six games, Nick Andersen leads the team in tackles, totaling 41, including a team-high and season-high 11 against NC State.
Going into the bye week, Andersen ranks fifth in the ACC in tackles per game:
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 career, Andersen has collected 312 total tackles, which ranks 15th in program history 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 games last season, Andersen was one of the best tacklers in the country and led the Demon Deacons with 122 total tackles (10.2), which is 28 more than the next closest player on the team. Andersen was one of just 17 players nationally with 120 or more tackles last season.
In addition to leading the team in this category, Andersen was also the ACC leader with the next closest player totaling 117 tackles last season. Andersen's 10.2 tackles per game also 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 the most by a Demon Deacon in the College Football Playoff era (2014-Pres.):
1. Nick Andersen (2024) - 122
2. Ryan Smenda Jr. (2022) - 117
3. Ryan Janvion (2014) - 115
Andersen has recorded eight interceptions during his career, including a pair during the 2024 season. He sits just outside the top 10 in program history and in the College Football Playoff era (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
Entering his second year as a team captain, Andersen has been a cornerstone of the defense during his entire career. After a breakout three-interception performance against nationally-ranked Virginia Tech in 2020, he was honored on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt in their "inspirational" stories piece following the aforementioned performance.
Since then, Andersen has become a fan favorite and one of the best football players in the ACC, leading the conference and ranking in the top 10 nationally with 122 tackles last season.
Academically, he has excelled with remarkable distinction. Andersen graduated with a BA. in Communications and a minor in Entrepreneurship, and he is currently pursuing his graduate degree at Wake Forest in project management. He has earned recognition as a four-time All-ACC Academic Team honoree, a testament to his consistent academic excellence.
Nick's performance extends beyond the field and classroom. His involvement in community service is commendable, with participation in 13 different initiatives, including Santa's Helper, the Juneteenth Annual Kickball Tournament and Wake Forest Victory Day. His dedication to service reflects his commitment to making a positive impact on those around 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 presented annually to the FBS college football player who has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field. The award honors the type of exemplary character and commitment to community, family and teammates demonstrated by Jason Witten, the 2012 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year and one of the most prominent role models in the game.
More on Andersen on the Field
Through six games, Nick Andersen leads the team in tackles, totaling 41, including a team-high and season-high 11 against NC State.
Going into the bye week, Andersen ranks fifth in the ACC in tackles per game:
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 career, Andersen has collected 312 total tackles, which ranks 15th in program history 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 games last season, Andersen was one of the best tacklers in the country and led the Demon Deacons with 122 total tackles (10.2), which is 28 more than the next closest player on the team. Andersen was one of just 17 players nationally with 120 or more tackles last season.
In addition to leading the team in this category, Andersen was also the ACC leader with the next closest player totaling 117 tackles last season. Andersen's 10.2 tackles per game also 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 the most by a Demon Deacon in the College Football Playoff era (2014-Pres.):
1. Nick Andersen (2024) - 122
2. Ryan Smenda Jr. (2022) - 117
3. Ryan Janvion (2014) - 115
Andersen has recorded eight interceptions during his career, including a pair during the 2024 season. He sits just outside the top 10 in program history and in the College Football Playoff era (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
Players Mentioned
DB
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