Mason Rudolph up for Inaugural Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award

Add another to the massive collection of awards Mason Rudolph and James Washington have been up for. After winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in part for “character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, and leadership qualities,” Rudolph is a finalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the year Award.

The Jason Witten Award “recognizes exemplary leadership both on and off the field” and will be presented to one of the three finalists on February 22 in Frisco, Tex. Rudolph will be joined by Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick and UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffin.

“I am very excited to announce these three exceptional young men as the finalists for the inaugural Collegiate Man of the Year,” said Witten. “Minkah Fitzpatrick, Shaquem Griffin and Mason Rudolph are outstanding leaders on the field, in the classroom and in the community, and they embody what the sport of college football is all about.

“It was a nearly impossible task to choose just three from all of the great student-athletes nominated. There are so many outstanding leaders who are great representatives for college football, and I commend all of the nominees for the tremendous example they set on and off the field.”

Congratulations to@minkfitz_21 @Rudolph2Mason @Shaquemgriffin
for being selected as this years finalists— well earned. https://t.co/PzAOMEWMW6

— Jason Witten (@JasonWitten) December 13, 2017

Honored to have been selected as a finalist. Looking forward to February?? https://t.co/qX5eIJtIm8

— Mason Rudolph (@Rudolph2Mason) December 13, 2017

Rudolph has an outside chance to become the first QB in Big 12 history that didn’t go to Texas Tech to throw for 5,000 yards in a season and will likely overtake Brandon Weeden for the most passing yards in a single season in Oklahoma State football history.

“Here’s what he’s done. He has been the most committed player to this team that I’ve ever seen,” said Mike Gundy earlier in the year. “Really, the organization. With his commitment to ‘I’m going to try to do the very best I can.’ Doesn’t guarantee you’re going to make all your throws. Doesn’t guarantee he’s going to misread something. Doesn’t mean that you might not throw an interception. But his commitment to success for his team and himself is through the roof.

“That’s what I shared with his mom and dad. I said, ‘All the other stuff is awesome, but what he’s done, you guys should be really proud of.’ I have three sons. I would only hope they would be that committed to some organization at some point in their life. Only hope. And he’s done it humble. He’s a low-ego guy, and he’s humble. I’m proud to watch him … he makes me proud. That’s what he does.”