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Rivers Tabbed to Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Watch List
9/30/2025 12:05:00 PM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke senior cornerback Chandler Rivers has been tabbed to the watch list for the ninth annual Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, the organization announced Tuesday.
Rivers is one of 67 student-athletes selected to the watch list for demonstrating a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.
A returning All-America and First Team All-ACC selection, Rivers was a preseason Second Team All-America pick by the Associated Press, Athlon Sports, CBS Sports, ESPN, Phil Steele, Sporting News and The Athletic and earned a place on the preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy and Wuerffel Trophy.
"It is an incredible honor to announce this group of young men as the watch list for the Collegiate Man of the Year," said Witten. "These student-athletes have all demonstrated exceptional leadership, often in the face of adversity, and are perfect examples of what the sport of college football is all about."
Rivers, a native of Beaumont, Texas, is a cultural anthropology major who is on track to graduate in December. He is a three-time ACC Academic Honor Roll recipient and was selected to the 2024 All-ACC Academic Football Team. In 44 career games (37 starts), he has compiled 184 tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five interceptions, 25 pass breakups, two caused fumbles, one fumble recovery and seven quarterback pressures.
Away from the classroom and field, Rivers' community service focus is on youth mentorship, community empowerment, faith-based service, food and shelter outreach and children's health advocacy. Among his community service initiatives are the Chandler Rivers Youth Football Camp, Duke Football Thanksgiving Drive, Duke Children's Hospital, Emily K Center, Durham Rescue Mission and his church involvement in both in the Beaumont and Durham communities.
The award, presented by Albertsons and Tom Thumb, is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player's leadership, both on and off the field. Leadership is a term synonymous with Jason Witten, who, in addition to becoming one of the best tight ends in the history of the sport, served as one of football's most prominent role models during his 16-year pro career. In addition to winning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2012, Witten also received the Bart Starr Award, Pro Football Weekly's Humanitarian of the Year Award, Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP and the Bob Lilly Award, among many others. All of those honors have recognized his work in the community, achievements on the field and dedication to his teammates and family.
For more information on Duke Football, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "DukeFOOTBALL".
#GoDuke
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Rivers is one of 67 student-athletes selected to the watch list for demonstrating a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.
A returning All-America and First Team All-ACC selection, Rivers was a preseason Second Team All-America pick by the Associated Press, Athlon Sports, CBS Sports, ESPN, Phil Steele, Sporting News and The Athletic and earned a place on the preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy and Wuerffel Trophy.
"It is an incredible honor to announce this group of young men as the watch list for the Collegiate Man of the Year," said Witten. "These student-athletes have all demonstrated exceptional leadership, often in the face of adversity, and are perfect examples of what the sport of college football is all about."
Rivers, a native of Beaumont, Texas, is a cultural anthropology major who is on track to graduate in December. He is a three-time ACC Academic Honor Roll recipient and was selected to the 2024 All-ACC Academic Football Team. In 44 career games (37 starts), he has compiled 184 tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five interceptions, 25 pass breakups, two caused fumbles, one fumble recovery and seven quarterback pressures.
Away from the classroom and field, Rivers' community service focus is on youth mentorship, community empowerment, faith-based service, food and shelter outreach and children's health advocacy. Among his community service initiatives are the Chandler Rivers Youth Football Camp, Duke Football Thanksgiving Drive, Duke Children's Hospital, Emily K Center, Durham Rescue Mission and his church involvement in both in the Beaumont and Durham communities.
The award, presented by Albertsons and Tom Thumb, is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player's leadership, both on and off the field. Leadership is a term synonymous with Jason Witten, who, in addition to becoming one of the best tight ends in the history of the sport, served as one of football's most prominent role models during his 16-year pro career. In addition to winning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2012, Witten also received the Bart Starr Award, Pro Football Weekly's Humanitarian of the Year Award, Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP and the Bob Lilly Award, among many others. All of those honors have recognized his work in the community, achievements on the field and dedication to his teammates and family.
For more information on Duke Football, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "DukeFOOTBALL".
#GoDuke
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