STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford football program hosted its annual end of the year banquet on Sunday afternoon at McCaw Hall at the Francis C. Arrillaga Alumni center. It was all about the best of the year, with a celebration of this year's senior class and the outstanding work done on and off the field.
A full list of team awards issued during Sunday's banquet can be found below.
Irving S. Zeimer Award – Elic Ayomanor
Awarded to the Offensive Team MVP
Ayomanor burst onto the scene midway through the year and finished with some of the best numbers in the Pac-12. He finished the season with 62 receptions for 1,013 yards and six touchdowns, ranking fifth in the conference in receiving yards. Ayomanor became the first Cardinal since J.J. Arcega-Whiteside in 2018 to record over 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He set the Stanford program record for receiving yards in a single game with a 294-yard performance at Colorado, which featured three touchdowns. Ayomanor was named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List for his efforts.
Jack Huston Award – Tristan Sinclair
Awarded to the Defensive Team MVP
Sinclair finished the season ranked second on the team in tackles with 71, while finishing third in tackles for loss (5) and tied for second in quarterback hurries (4). Recorded his first career sack against UCLA and set a career-high in tackles with 10 against California in the Big Game.
Jim Reynolds Award – Joshua Karty
Awarded to the Special Teams MVP
Karty continues to be one of the best kickers in the NCAA. After being named a Lou Groza Award finalist in 2022, Karty is a semifinalist in 2023 after going 23-27 on field goals and 21-21 on PATs. He was a three-time Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week and nailed a pair of game-winning field goals: in the fourth quarter at Washington State and in double overtime at Colorado. No kicker in Stanford history has a better field goal percentage than Karty and his 85.0%, and his 51 made field goals are fourth most.
Al Masters Award – Tristan Sinclair
Awarded to the player displaying the highest degree of leadership and respect of his teammates
Sinclair started every game for Stanford from the linebacker position and continued to be one of the most respected individuals by his teammates and coaches. He finished the season ranked second on the team in tackles with 71, while finishing third in tackles for loss (5) and tied for second in quarterback hurries (4). Recorded his first career sack against UCLA and set a career-high in tackles with 10 against California in the Big Game.
Tommy Vardell Award – Spencer Jorgensen
Awarded to the junior or senior player who best epitomizes excellence in both academics and athletics
Jorgensen appeared in every game for the Cardinal during his final season at Stanford, playing an important role in the Stanford defense from the linebacker position. Jorgensen was also a 2023 Burlsworth Trophy nominee, which is given every year to the most outstanding individual who began his career as a walk-on. He has a 4.021 graduate grade point average as he finishes his Master of Science in Management Science and Engineering.
Gundelach Award – Gaethan Bernadel
Awarded to the most outstanding junior player
Bernadel started every game for the Cardinal from the linebacker position in his first season after transferring from FIU. Led the team in tackles with 87, a mark that ranks seventh in the Pac-12, and his 42 assisted tackles are fifth-best in the conference.
Deswarte-Eller Award – Ashton Daniels
Awarded to the most outstanding sophomore player
Daniels started as the Cardinal quarterback in nine games and finished with 2,247 yards and 11 touchdowns. Daniels had his first two 300-yard passing games, both in the month of October, including 396 yards in the comeback win at Colorado. Against Washington, Daniels recorded 448 total yards for the second-most in a single game by a Stanford quarterback in program history. His scorching play in midseason helped him land on the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Midseason Watch List.
Outstanding Freshman Award – Tiger Bachmeier
Awarded to the most outstanding freshman player
Bachmeier became a key part in the Stanford offense in 2023, finishing second on the team in receptions (36) and receiving yards (409). Both of those numbers led the Pac-12 and were top-10 in FBS among true freshmen wide receivers. He set the Stanford freshman receiving record for catches in a game twice, with the second occurrence against Washington on Oct. 28, catching 10 passes for 95 yards.
The Billy Anderson Commitment to Community Outreach Award (Offense) – Jayson Raines
Awarded to the offensive player who demonstrates a special commitment to community outreach.
Raines is the head of community service for Cardinal Black. He helped organize a clothing drive for the Parca Foundation, which collects clothing for children and adults with developmental disabilities. He also worked with Lucile Packard Children's Hospital on campus to create memorable football experiences for kids with serious illness.
The Chris Draft Commitment to Community Outreach Award (Defense/Special Teams) – Bailey Parsons
Awarded to the defensive player who demonstrates a special commitment to community outreach.
Parsons organized a volunteer group at Cesar Chavez Middle School to help tutor kids, and also participated in a campus cleanup and library restoration at Cesar Chavez. He is nationally recognized by Shake Shack for his leadership and community outreach efforts.
Frank Rehm Awards – Joshua Karty (offense/special teams), Tristan Sinclair (defense)
Awarded to the most outstanding players in the Big Game
Karty kicked three field goals, including two from 50+ yards, en route to winning his third Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week award. He became just the fifth player in FBS to have multiple made field goals from 50+ yards in the same game. Sinclair was the team's leading tackler on defense, setting a career-high with 10.
Greg Piers Awards – Kenaj Washington (offense), Gavin Geweniger (defense), Kale Lucas (special teams)
Awarded to the most outstanding special teams, offensive, and defensive scout team players.
