Wayne State College center Will Washenberger has been nominated for the 2025 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award, one of 29 nominees announced Friday by the Manheim (Pa.) Touchdown Club. 
            Washenberger, a senior from Sioux Falls, S.D. (O'Gorman HS) is one of 11 nominees from Super Region 3.  The award is nominated and voted on by the nation's NCAA Division II sports information directors. Two finalists will advance from each of the four super regions to a national ballot, with national finalists announced Dec. 5. The winner will be announced Dec. 12. All nominees must be seniors or graduate players/transfers and are linemen on either side of the ball at either offensive tackle, guard, or center, or defensive tackle, guard, or end.
            A 6-3, 300-pound center, Washenberger earned All-NSIC South Division First Team Offense honors this season for the Wildcats, anchoring an offensive line that blocked for NSIC-leading rusher Dawson Forgy and ranked third in the NSIC in rushing yards per game at 229 yards per contest.  He started all 33 games in his three years at Wayne State and was part of an offensive line in 2023 that allowed the fewest sacks in the NSIC (six) and the second-fewest sacks during his junior campaign in 2024.  Washenberger is a two-time All-NSIC selection at Wayne State, also earning All-NSIC Second Team honors in 2023. 
            The Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award is named in honor of the late Mr. Upshaw, who was an All-Pro lineman for the Oakland Raiders and later served as the executive director of the NFL Players Association for 25
years. Upshaw, a former standout offensive lineman at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M Kingsville), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 in his first year of eligibility. The award is presented annually by the Manheim Touchdown Club.
            It marks the second straight season that a Wildcat offensive lineman has been nominated for the Upshaw Award as Jett Janssen was one of 31 nominees last season for the honor. 
            Wayne State ended the season at 7-4 overall, winners of their last four games that included wins over #9 Minnesota State and #13 Augustana.  The Wildcats finished as NSIC South Division champions with a 5-1 division mark.