Friends Athletics
Levi Convirs
NEW YORK, NY – The accolades keep piling in for Friends University senior center Keegan Martin, and this latest honor is arguably his biggest career achievement. The Yale, Okla. native is the NAIA winner of the Rimington Award, given to the top centers in FCS, DII, DIII and NAIA divisions, announced today (Jan. 3).
Now a four-time AFCA-NAIA first-team All-American and four-time All-KCAC first-team selection, Martin has made 54 career starts and has consistently performed as one of the top centers in the country throughout his collegiate career.
“I’m very proud of Keegan and what he has meant for our football program,” said Friends football head coach Terry Harrison.
A massive force on arguably the top offensive line in the country, Martin helped pave the running lane for the nation’s top rushing team in yards (4611), yards per game (419.2), yards per attempt (7.4) and touchdowns (59) for the Falcons this past season. The 7.4 yards per rush is tops in NAIA history and the 4611 rushing yards also rank as the third most all-time.
Martin was also a key cog in the Falcons generating a school modern-era record 612 net rushing yards in a 68-6 romp of Bethany College in the regular season finale at Adair-Austin Stadium.
In a 43-0 victory at Bethel College, Martin and the offensive lineman was so effective in a driving rainstorm that the Falcons won in a rout despite not attempting a pass the entire game.
Martin’s effect was felt across the board this year, as the Falcons scored a school-record 509 points overall and won nine games, the program’s highest win total since the 2008 campaign.