Pop Warner Little Scholars, the nation’s preeminent youth football organization, has announced four finalists for its 15th Annual Pop Warner College Football Award. The award was established in 2010 to recognize a senior who has made a positive impact on the field, in the classroom and in the community, and serves as a role model to Pop Warner’s young student-athletes.
This year’s finalists include:
Fernando Mendoza, Cal, QB: The Golden Bears captain and starting quarterback from Miami has thrown for 3,000 yards and 16 touchdowns this year. He coordinated the Columbus High School Turkey Drive in which 436 turkeys were given to families in need in Miami-Dade County, and is a founding member of They Can Too, a global organization dedicated to helping and spreading awareness for youth in need. He hosts The Daily Take podcast, and organized a Cuban Relief Service trip in which he and his grandfather Alberto Espino went to Cuba to give back to their native community, locals and family members. He is one of three hosts of the 2024 Golden Buddies Football Clinic for youth with and without disabilities along with Golden Bear teammates Jack Endries and Myles Williams.
Jalen Milroe, Alabama, QB: Considered one of the most prolific players in college football, Jalen has thrown for 15 touchdowns and rushed for 20 as the starting quarterback for the 13th ranked Crimson Tide. He graduated cum laude with a degree in management – entrepreneurship concentration in only three years, finished with a 3.5 cumulative GPA in undergrad and is currently pursuing his master's degree in sport management. He is a President's List honoree and three time Dean's List honoree. He was 2023 CoSIDA Academic All-District IV and 2022 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll and consistently serves as one of the top contributors to the Crimson Tide's community service efforts since his arrival on campus.
Connor Pay, BYU, OL: The Cougars senior captain is a semifinalist for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy, three-time Rimington Trophy Watch List (2022, 2023, 2024), member of the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12 (2024) team, and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List. Connor is the current starting center and blocking scheme play caller on what was the College Football News Offensive Line of the Year in 2022. He is part of the BYU True Blue Hero program, recognizing people in the community who are dealing with life-changing illnesses, and is part of Tabitha’s Way Food Pantry, where he volunteers to help at the food bank on a regular basis. He is part of the Make a Wish Foundation and hosted lunch at the BYU football stadium for a young boy who is fighting a terminal disease. He regularly visits children who are struggling with illness and injuries.
Josh Kattus, Kentucky, TE: Josh has appeared in 27 games for Kentucky, including 10 starts, with 19 receptions and touchdown catches against Texas and Tennessee this season. He made a pivotal play at No. 6 Ole Miss, recovering a fumble at the two-yard line and diving into the end zone for UK's game-winning touchdown. Academically, Kattus was named to the First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll as a freshman and the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll as a sophomore. He is a three-time Dean's List honoree. Kattus participated in the 2024 Dancing with the Lexington Stars event, raising over $34,000 for the Lexington Rotary Club Endowment Fund and Surgery on Sunday, a nonprofit providing free outpatient procedures for those in need. He actively volunteers at Lexington's Ronald McDonald House and Scott County Humane Society.
The Pop Warner Little Scholars National College Football Award will be announced on December 9 as part of the 67th Pop Warner Super Bowl at Camping World Stadium, which is held on December 7-14. Last year’s winner was Texas Tech defensive lineman Tony Bradford Jr., two-time All-Big 12 honorable mention and a member of the AFCA Good Works Team, recognized for his leadership on and off the field, contributing significantly to discussions within the Big 12 Conference and serving as a driving force behind Texas Tech's community service initiatives.
Previous recipients have included, Prince Amukamara (Nebraska), Chase Minnifield (Virginia), Sean Renfree (Duke), Gary Bush (Purdue), Jordan Richards (Stanford), Brandon Chubb (Wake Forest), Evan Engram (Mississippi), Braxton Berrios (Miami), CJ Conrad (Kentucky), Michael Pittman, Jr. (USC), Ian Book (University of Notre Dame) and Elijah Hicks (University of California) and Kenneth Horsey (Kentucky).