STANFORD, Calif. — The annual end-of-season team banquet was held on Sunday afternoon by Stanford football, celebrating the season that concluded on Saturday night. Stanford recognized the best on and off the field from the 2025 season during the annual celebration, held at McCaw Hall at the Francis C. Arrillaga Alumni Center. Players, coaches, staff, and families gathered to recognize the contributions of all involved in the season.
A full list of team awards issued during Sunday afternoon’s banquet can be found below:
Al Masters Award – Sam Roush
Awarded to the player displaying the highest degree of leadership and respect of his teammates
Roush put together the best season of his career and is among the best tight ends in the country, restoring Stanford's moniker of Tight End U. Roush compiled 49 receptions for 545 yards with a pair of touchdowns, setting career highs across the board. He led ACC tight ends in receiving yards and tied for the most receptions. Nationally, Roush is tied for fourth in receiving yards by tight ends and is fifth in receptions.. He became just the eighth different Cardinal tight end since 1995 to eclipse 100 receiving yards in a game when he racked up 104 yards against Pittsburgh. Roush has also shown his ability to turn intermediate routes into big plays. He has two catches of at least 50 yards this season, one of just five tight ends in the nation and the only tight end in the ACC to do so.
Irving S. Zeimer Award – CJ Williams
Awarded to the Offensive Team MVP
Williams blossomed into the most reliable target for Stanford quarterbacks this season. He had 59 receptions for 749 yards and six touchdowns. Among ACC receivers, Williams is seventh in receptions, ranks tenth in receiving yards, and finished one touchdown shy of the ACC lead. He had four 100-yard games this season, becoming the first Cardinal since J.J. Arcega-Whiteside in 2018 to do so. Earlier this season, Williams had 100 receiving yards in three consecutive games, becoming the first Stanford player to achieve that feat since Alex Smith in 2004, and the first Stanford wide receiver to do so since Troy Walters in 1999.
Jack Huston Award – Matt Rose
Awarded to the Defensive Team MVP
In his first season as one of the Cardinal’s starting inside linebackers, Rose bloomed into one of the best in the conference. He ranks second in the ACC and led Stanford by a wide margin with 106 total tackles, the most by a Stanford player since Blake Martinez in 2015. Rose added eight tackles-for-loss, three sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery this year, and had four games of 10 or more tackles. He finished 2025 inside the top 25 overall in tackles.
Jim Reynolds Award – Anson Pulsipher
Awarded to the Special Teams MVP
Pulsipher appeared in every game this season for Stanford after playing in just three games during his first three seasons on The Farm. Playing primarily on special teams, he recorded six tackles this year, including a multi-tackle performance on the road against SMU on Oct. 11.
Tommy Vardell Award – Sam Roush
Awarded to an academic junior or senior player who best epitomizes excellence in both academics and athletics
Not only is Roush one of the top tight ends in the country, but he is also one of the brightest in the classroom. Roush earned his undergraduate degree in computer science with a 3.8 grade-point average and has earned a host of academic honors. awards, including landing on the ACC All-Academic Team and Academic All-District team by College Sports Communicators. He was also named to the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year and Campbell Trophy watch lists. In November, Roush was named a Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete. He is currently focusing his studies for his master’s degree in computer science on artificial intelligence, finance, and innovation in computer engineering.
Gundelach Award – Tevarua Tafiti
Awarded to the most outstanding junior player
Tafiti continues to be one of the most dangerous outside linebackers on The Farm, recording 32 total tackles and a pair of sacks, giving him eight sacks in his Stanford career and three seasons with multiple sacks. He tied a career high in tackles-for-loss this season with seven, including a pair of games with two, one of which was Stanford’s comeback win against San Jose State.
Deswarte-Eller Award – Micah Ford
Awarded to the most outstanding sophomore player
Ford turned into a true bell cow running back for the Cardinal, leading the team with 145 carries, 643 rushing yards, and four touchdowns. Few Stanford running backs have had this kind of success in recent years: he had the most rushing touchdowns since 2022, the most 100-yard rushing games (3) since 2020, the most rushing yards since 2019, and the most 150-yard rushing games (2) since 2017. He was named ACC Running Back of the Week following Stanford’s home-opener win against Boston College, where he ran for 157 yards and a touchdown.
Outstanding Freshman Award – Cole Tabb
Awarded to the most outstanding freshman player
Tabb has enjoyed a strong redshirt freshman season in Stanford’s backfield, carrying the ball 114 times for 445 yards and three touchdowns, all representing career highs. After being thrust into a starting role in the middle of the season, Tabb delivered a 118-yard performance with a score against Florida State as the Cardinal upset the Seminoles. Tabb was named ACC Running Back and Rookie of the Week for the first time in his career following the win. The last Stanford freshman running back with at least 400 rushing yards in a season was Anthony Wilkerson in 2010.
Billy Anderson Commitment to Community Outreach Award (Offense) – Fisher Anderson
Awarded to the offensive player who demonstrates a special commitment to community outreach
Chris Draft Commitment to Community Outreach Award (Defense/Special Teams) – Zach Buckey
Awarded to the defensive or special teams player who demonstrates a special commitment to community outreach
Frank Rehm Awards – Matt Rose, Jay Green, Micah Ford
Awards to the most outstanding players from Big Game
Matt Rose set a career-high in tackles (14) and a sack and a fumble recovery to help lead a smothering defensive effort over California. Became the first ACC player since 2023 to have that stat line in a game, and is the only Power-4 player to do so in 2025. Jay Green broke up three passes and ran back a fumble 49 yards for Stanford’s first touchdown of the game, one of two fumble return touchdowns recorded by Stanford’s defense. Micah Ford paced the offense with 150 rushing yards and his fourth touchdown of the season, racking up the second-most rushing yards in a game in his career.
Greg Piers Awards – Dylan Rizk (Offense), Jacobi Murray/Brendan Delaney (Defense), Preston Jernegan (Special Teams)
Awarded to the most outstanding offensive, defensive, and special teams scout players