Alex Forsyth named a finalist for Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year
From University of Oregon athletics press release –
DALLAS — Oregon center Alex Forsyth was announced as one of three finalists for the sixth annual Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award on Thursday by the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Board of Directors. The award recognizes the player in college football who best demonstrates an outstanding record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship.
Forsyth is joined on the finalist list by Penn State’s Sean Clifford and Pittsburgh’s Deslin Alexandre. The winner will be announced at an award ceremony in Frisco, Texas, on Feb. 23, 2023.
“I am excited to announce these three outstanding young men as the finalists for the sixth annual Collegiate Man of the Year,” Witten said. “Deslin Alexandre, Sean Clifford and Alex Forsyth have all demonstrated exceptional leadership on and off the field and set the standard for what being a student-athlete is all about. It’s nearly impossible to choose just three from all of the great players nominated. There are so many great representatives for college football, and I commend all of the nominees for the tremendous example of leadership they set on the field, on campus and in the community.”
A FWAA second-team all-American and a first-team all-Pac-12 selection this season, Forsyth has been a leader for the Ducks since taking over the starting center role in 2020. He has started 27 games and played more than 1,900 snaps in his career, and was a two-time second-team all-Pac-12 honoree before earning first-team recognition in his final season.
Forsyth is the leader of an Oregon offensive line that leads the nation with just four sacks allowed and is tied for eighth with 48 tackles for loss allowed. His 85.0 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus ranks seventh nationally among all centers, and he has allowed just one quarterback pressure in 365 pass-blocking opportunities.
Forsyth endured the tragic loss of his father as a young boy, and has used his football career as a way to honor his dad’s legacy. The West Linn, Ore., native is working on a Master’s degree after earning his undergraduate degree in advertising from UO. Forsyth is also very active in the Eugene community, regularly volunteering for projects like the Eugene Mission homeless shelter, Food for Lane County and KidSports.