Washington Named a Finalist for Pop Warner College Football Award

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia wide receiver Malik Washington is one of five finalists for the Pop Warner College Football Award, announced by the Pop Warner Little Scholars, the nation’s preeminent youth football organization. The award recognizes a senior who has made a difference on the field, in the classroom and in the community, and serves as a role model to Pop Warner’s young student-athletes.

Pop Warner College Football Award FinalistsElijah McAllister, Auburn University linebackerTony Bradford Jr., Texas Tech defensive linemanMalik Washington, University of Virginia wide receiverMatthew Cindric, University of California, Berkeley offensive linemanJa’Mion Franklin, Duke University defensive tackle

The Pop Warner Little Scholars National College Football Award will be announced on December 5 as part of the 66th Pop Warner Super Bowl at Camping World Stadium held on December 2 – December 9. Last year’s winner was University of Kentucky guard Kenneth Horsey, winner of the Finn Collier Service Award and Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award, nominee of the Wuerffel Trophy and a member of both the Allstate AFCA National Good Works Team and the SEC Community Service Team.

Washington leads the ACC and is ranked second in the country in receptions (96), receptions per game (8.7), receiving yards (1,311) and receiving yards per game (119.2). His nine 100-yard receiving efforts in 11 games played this season are the most of any player in FBS. Last week against Duke, he eclipsed Virginia’s program records for receptions and receiving yards in a season. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar while at Northwestern, he served on the football team’s Leadership Council, the Executive Board of P.U.R.P.L.E., and as a peer Mentor dedicated to educating student-athletes on a multitude of wellness areas, including mental health, drug and alcohol awareness, and sexual violence prevention. He also volunteered at Lurie’s Children Hospital, Orrington Elementary School, and Special Olympics. At UVA, he organized a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workshop for his teammates and students across campus.