Former BYU and current New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill, a 2016 NFF National Scholar-Athlete, and 12 Utah High School student Athletes headlined the 25th annual Utah Chapter of National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame banquet.
 
In response the COVID-19 crisis, the Utah Chapter Scholarship banquet was held virtually on Saturday, April 25, and can be found at https://www.utahfootballfoundation.com/events/virtual-banquet/. In addition, the Chapter is pleased to announce a new "Helping Heroes" partnership with Nicholas and Company to provide meals for the frontline workers.
 
Nicholas and Company has been in business for more than 80 years and has teamed with the Utah Chapter to provide meals to the frontline heroes at Rocky Mountain Healthcare and South Davis Metro Fire. Beginning Monday, April 27, Nicholas and Company will begin donating food to participating restaurants to prep, cook and package meals. The public can help by purchasing curbside meals, and in return the restaurant will provide a meal to a hero through our "Buy One, Give One" promotion. In addition, the public can also donate to the cause at www.utahfootballfoundation.com. Participating restaurants can be found online at https://www.nicholasandco.com/
 
Hill, the former BYU standout was recognized with the Distinguished American Award, which depicts leadership and outstanding performance on and off the field. In 2019, Hill carried 27 times for 176 yards with one touchdown, caught 19 passes for 236 yards and six touchdowns, completed three-of-five passes for 55 yards and added two special teams tackles. A 2016 NFF National Scholar-Athlete while at BYU, Hill started 33 of 37 games played in five seasons, finishing with 23 wins as starter…Finished his career with 6,929 yards and 43 TDs on 609-of-1,047 passing…Added 2,815 rushing yards and 32 TDs on 534 attempts.
 
Cole Hagen, the All-State quarterback from Corner Canyon High School, headlines 12 outstanding high school seniors who were recognized for their work on the field, in the classroom and in the community. On the field the award winners were all First Team All-State performers. The average GPA of the group was 3.84 and each of the recipients exhibited tremendous leadership in their school and community
 
Award winners include:

Name	Position	School
Cole Hagen	QB	Corner Canyon
Jake Jackson	RB/LB	Delta
Jaxson Dastrup	WR/TE	Cedar Valley
Chase Hopkins	FB/LB	Olympus
Burke Mickelsen	WR/LB	North Sevier
Emerson Conlon	OL/DL	Olympus
Conner Jorgensen	LB/RB	North Sanpete
Sione Moa	RB/DB	Timpview
Austin Mortensen	WR/DB	Springville
Kael V Myers	DB/RB	Millard
Devin Downing	WR/Ret	American Fork
Bodie Schoonover	LB/TE	American Fork

 
Award Winners:
Taysom Hill – Distinguished American Award
NFL CAREER – Claimed off of waivers from Green Bay at the conclusion of the 2017 preseason by the Saints, Hill has provided value to New Orleans in multiple spots on both offense and special teams. His role continues to expand as he serves as an integral part of both units. In 2019, Hill carried 27 times for 176 yards with one touchdown, caught 19 passes for 236 yards and six touchdowns, completed three-of-five passes for 55 yards and added two special teams tackles.
 
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Claimed by the New Orleans Saints off waivers from the Green Bay Packers, 9/3/17; Waived by the Packers, 9/2/17; Signed by the Packers as an undrafted free agent, 5/5/17.
 
HONORS –2018: NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 14).
2019 – Played in all 16 regular season games with five starts, contributing on offense and special teams…Carried 27 times for 176 yards with one touchdown, caught 19 passes for 236 yards and six touchdowns, completed three-of-five passes for 55 yards, returned a kickoff 12 yards and made two special teams tackles…Started NFC Wild Card Playoff vs. Minnesota, 1/5/20 and carried four times for 50 yards, caught two passes for 25 yards with one touchdown, completed a 50-yard pass to Deonte Harris and made a special teams tackle…In season opener vs. Houston, Sept. 9, scored his first career regular season touchdown, catching a nine-yard pass and rushing twice for eight yards…Carried two times for 16 yards, including an 18-yard rush, in Sunday night win vs. Dallas, Sept. 29…Started at WR vs. Tampa Bay, Oct. 6. Finished with two rushes for 16 yards and completed first pass attempt of season, an 18-yard throw with 12:53 left in second quarter, extending a nine-play, 75-yard TD drive…At Jacksonville, Oct. 13, played on offense and special teams, rushing for the Saints' longest play on the ground with a 19-yard carry. Finished with three carries for 37 yards…At Chicago, Oct. 20, Played on offense and special teams, catching his second touchdown of season, a four-yard completion from Teddy Bridgewater. Also carried twice for 23 yards, including a 21-yard carry…Vs. Arizona, Oct. 27, finished with three receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown, including the Saints' longest gain of day-a 36-yard fourth quarter reception from Drew Brees…Vs. Atlanta, Nov. 10, finished with a 17-yard completion, a three-yard reception and a 11-yard rush…On Thanksgiving night at Atlanta, Nov. 28, deflected Atlanta's first punt, adding two carries for 33 yards and a touchdown and two receptions for 12 yards and a touchdown…Vs. Indianapolis, Dec. 16, started at TE and recorded first TD reception of season, finishing with two grabs for 42 yards and two carries for one yard…Started at FB at Tennessee, Dec. 22, catching two passes for 21 yards, carrying twice for 11 yards, completing a 20-yard pass to Michael Thomas where he tied NFL single-season receptions record and added two special teams stops…In regular season finale at Carolina, Dec. 29, started in two-TE set, carried once for four yards and caught a career-long 45-yard TD. 
 
2018 – Played in all 16 regular season games and carried 37 times for 196 yards with two touchdowns, caught five passes, completed three-of-seven throws for 64 yards, returned 14 kickoffs for 348 yards (24.9 avg.), posted six special teams stops and blocked a punt…At Atlanta, Sept. 23, rushing three-times for career-high 39 yards, including the Saints' longest rush with a 35-yard gain, returning three kickoffs for 64 yards and a coverage stop…At N.Y. Giants, Sept. 30, carried four times for 28 yards, completed one-of-two passes for ten yards, caught a pass for -4 yards and returned a kickoff 16 yards…Vs. Washington, Oct. 8, carried five times for 23 yards, scoring his first career TD on a third quarter one-yard run and returned two kickoffs for 43 yards…At Baltimore, Oct. 21, played on offense and special teams, carrying career-high six times for 35 yards and making two coverage tackles. Converted a fake punt for a first down on a direct snap, rushing up the middle for a four-yard gain…At Minnesota, Oct. 28, started as jumbo TE and connected with Thomas on a career-long 44-yard completion on the opening drive. Had a five-yard reception, carried three times for -2 yards and ran back two kickoffs for 50 yards…Vs. L.A. Rams, Nov. 4, played on both offense and special teams, carrying twice for ten yards and running back two kickoffs for 49 yards…At Cincinnati, Nov. 11, started as jumbo TE, carrying four times for 24 yards and catching a pass for 0 yards…Vs. Philadelphia, Nov. 18, started at WR and played on special teams, carrying three times for four yards, completing one-of-two passes for one yard and fielding a punt…Vs. Atlanta, Nov. 22, played on offense and on special teams, carrying twice for 13 yards and returning a kickoff 32 yards…At Tampa Bay, Dec. 9, helped New Orleans clinch their second straight NFC South title, as he blocked a punt midway through the third quarter, setting of the Saints offense with their best field position at the Buccaneers 30-yard line. Hill was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week…At Carolina, Dec. 17, played on offense and special teams, carrying once for 17 yards and recording an assisted coverage tackle…Threw first quarter interception vs. Pittsburgh, Dec. 23…Vs. Carolina, Dec. 30, started in two-TE set and played on special teams, carrying three times for 11 yards with a nine-yard touchdown and catching a pass for a gain of three yards…In two postseason contests, carried three times for eight yards, caught a two–yard touchdown, threw an incomplete pass and had a special teams tackle…In NFC Divisional Playoff vs. Philadelphia, 1/13/19, carried twice for eight yards, including a second quarter four-yard rush on a successful fake punt attempt. Added an assisted special teams stop…In NFC Championship vs. L.A. Rams, 1/20/19, carried once for 0 yards, caught a two-yard touchdown and threw an incomplete pass.  
 

Student Athletes
Emerson Conlon
6-2, 245  OL/DL  Olympus
Football Accomplishments: Two-time Deseret News 1^st Team All-State…Region VI MVP… Olympus High School Football MVP…Football Team Captain…Designated Olympus High School Ring Bearer for leadership and athletic ability… 2018 All Region VI Defensive End…2018 Olympus High School Football Fighting Heart Award.
 
Academic Accomplishments: 3.8 GPA…High Honor Roll…AP English Literature…Honors Chemistry; Honors English 10; Honors Secondary Mathematics 3; Honors Biology; English 9; Gifted and Talented Honors Secondary Mathematics 2; Statistics.
 
Extracurricular:  Olympus High Seminary Council…Wrestling Team Captain…Rugby Team Captain…Olympus High Madrigals…2019 State Wrestling Champion at 220 weight class…Other Side Academy volunteer (a training school in which students who were previously incarcerated or spent time on the streets, learn pro-social, vocational, and life skills allowing them to emerge with a healthy life on "the other side)…Red Barn Academy volunteer…Work with students at Olympus that have special needs…Created metal yard stakes with school logo for fundraising…Held numerous church leadership positions.
 
Parents:               Fred & Taya
Head Coach:       Aaron Whitehead
 

Jaxson Dastrup
5-10, 185  WR/TE  Cedar Valley
Football Accomplishments: Deseret News 1st Team All-State…1st Team All-Region 10…Region 10 Special Teams Player of the Year…Honorable Mention All-Valley Team…Two-time Letterman…Team Captain…2019 Statistics: 81 receptions, 1061 receiving yards, 10 Touchdowns, 564 Return yards.
 
Academic Accomplishments: 3.84 GPA…High Honor Roll…High School National Honor Society…Honors Math…Math Student of the Year.
 
Extracurricular: Eagle Scout…Patrol Leader…School Flight Crew Member…Archery Club…Lacrosse Team MVP…Track…Organized emergency housing numbers for Eagle Mountain City…Peer Tutor…Reading tutor for Elementary School…Owns and operates his own lawn care business…Operates pet care business…Homecoming Committee…Youth football and lacrosse peer mentor…Youth football and lacrosse official…Lead and organized team community service events -Community Fence Painting -Field and Park Clean Ups -Youth Football Camp.
 
Parents:               Derrick & Racquel
Head Coach:       Weston Zabriskie
 

Devin Downing
6-1, 180  WR/Ret  American Fork
Football Accomplishments: 1st Team All-State Deseret News…Blue-Grey All American…2019 All-Valley Offensive MVP…Team MVP…Team Captain…7 on 7 National Championship Tournament participant…2018 Deseret News All-Region 4 WR…2019 statistics: 101 receptions (new school record), 1,765 rec. yards, 23 TD's (new school record), 17.48 Yds/catch, 126 yds/game.
 
Academic Accomplishments: 3.75 GPA…Honor Roll 2019…2018 German Honors…2017 Academic All-Region Football 2019.
 
Extracurricular: Conducted youth football camp teaching elementary youth football fundamentals, sportsmanship and positive attitude…Visited local elementary schools teaching about good citizenship, anti-drugs and the importance of health and nutrition…Developmental Center Volunteer assisting disabled residents to attend church and dance activities…Collected clothing from community members and donated to foreign countries in need…Collected canned food for a local food pantry.
 
Parents:               Dahlen & Evelyn
Head Coach:       Aaron Behm
 

Cole Hagen
6-2, 185  QB  Corner Canyon
Football Accomplishments: Deseret News 6A MVP…Two-time State champion…28-0 as a Starter…National Junior Scholar Award Winner…2019 State Gatorade Player of the Year…Team Captain,…2019 6A passing leader 3676 yards…Led state in total yards 4,784 yards…Mountain Star Athlete of the Week…Southtowne Auto Mall Player of the Week…2019 Blue Grey All American Bowl Invitee.
 
Academic Accomplishments: 4.0 GPA…35 ACT…Ranked #1 in class of 2020…AP Human Geography, AP World History, ELA honors 9th grade, Secondary Math Honors, Honors Chemistry 10th grade, ELA honors 10th grade, Math 2 Honors 10th grade, Math 3 Honors 11th grade, 1050 Finance, English Language Comp AP, AP Calculus, English Lit Comp AP, 1020 Drawing, AP US History…Honor Roll through out high school.
 
Extracurricular: E4A (Especially For Athletes)…Special Needs Friend…National Honor Society…Participated in Book Drive for children in The Philippines- Cole earned the rank of Eagle Scout by planning, organizing, and carrying out a book drive for Filipino children…Gathered supplies for Road Home Move Out Kits…Volunteer for Draper Rehab Care Center…Held numerous church leadership positions.
 
Parents:               Sean & Marci
Head Coach:       Eric Kjar


Chase Hopkins
6-0, 210  FB/LB  Olympus
Football Accomplishments: 1st Team All State Deseret News…Deseret News Rewind Offensive Player of the Year…Region VI Offensive MVP 2019…Olympus High School Offensive MVP…Led both class 5A and 6A in rushing yards during the 2019 season: 207 carries for 1716 yards (8.3 yards per carry, 143 yards per game), 20 rushing touchdowns, one receiving touchdown.
 
Academic Accomplishments: 3.89 GPA…Honor Roll (7th - 12th)…National Honors Society…Salt Lake Valley Science and Engineering Fair President's Education Award…Linnie F Robinson Short Story Winner…1st Place Poetry Recitation & Penmanship Grand Prize World Fair…Winner Future Business Leaders of America…AP Calculous, Concurrent Enrollment Marketing, Advanced Accounting.
 
Extracurricular: Participated in humanitarian trip to Thailand…Participated in a youth summit in Jerusalem, discussing the Palestinian and Israeli conflict to find common ground in the community…Participated in monthly service projects at Holladay Healthcare, the Road Home Shelter, the Utah Food Bank…Assisted with the elderly shut-ins and homeless at Pioneer Park…Appointed the head of the Senior Leadership Committee for our football team.
 
Parents:               Brett & Traci
Head Coach:       Aaron Whitehead
 

Jake Jackson
5-10, 200  RB/LB  Delta
Football Accomplishments: Two-time 1st Team All State Deseret News…Team Defensive MVP…2018 Team MVP 2019 All Region Linebacker…2019 stats: 14 Touchdowns, 82 carries 383 yards, 12 receptions, 168 yards, 120 tackles (87 solo) 4 sacks 1 interception.
 
Academic Accomplishments: 3.9 GPA…Three-year member of National Honor Society…High Honor Roll all four years…Math Sterling Scholar…2020 Delta High School Math Team Captain…AP/Concurrent Enrollment Classes: Psychology 1010, Political Science 1100, Communications, Human Development, Math 1050, Sociology 1010, Language Arts Honors Classes: Mathematics I and Mathematics II.
 
Extracurricular: Organized volunteers, prepared, and served Thanksgiving dinner at the Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake City…Served dinner to families with children at Primary Children's Medical Center...Held class officer positions all four years…Baseball team captain…Held numerous church leadership positions.
 
Parent:                 Kaela Jackson
Head Coach:       Russ Fowles


Connor Jorgensen
6-0, 195  RB/LB  North Sanpete
Football Accomplishments: Two-time 1^st Team Deseret News All-State…Two-time Region Offensive MVP…Mid Utah Defensive Player of the Year…North Sanpete MVP…Team Captain…Individual Stats: 512 receiving yards 6 touchdowns, 121 carries for 645 yards 14 TD, All-purpose yards: 1228, Total TD's-21; Defense: 102 Tackles, 4 INT, 7 Caused Fumbles, 3 Sacks, 12 Hurries.
 
Academic Accomplishments: 3.9 GPA…AP 1010, Intro to Criminal Justice, AP 1040, Intro to Stats, 9th Grade Honors English…National Honor Society…2019 Academic All-Region…2018/2019 Football Academic Award Honor Roll.
 
Extracurricular: Organize and spent numerous hours improving community buildings and landscapes…Helped preserve a historic jail house…Organized group to remove any fire hazards within community…Helped organize and raise money for school's entrepreneurship class….Community Lawn mowing and Snow Removal…Held numerous church leadership positions.
 
Parents:               Trent & Julie
Head Coach:       Rhett Bird
 

Burke Mickelsen
6-3, 195  LB/WR  North Sevier
Football Accomplishments: 1^st team Deseret News All-State…Three-time All-State honors in three sports (football, basketball, baseball)…Team Captain…Statistics: 41 receptions, 668 yards (13.6 yds per catch), 6 touchdowns, 75 tackles, 11 TFL, 2 Int, 2FF…Three-year starter.
 
Academic Accomplishments: 3.9 GPA…Excellence in Writing Award from College Writing Class…National Honor Society Member.
 
Extracurricular: 2018 national Football Foundation Junior Scholar Award winner…Started a pig raising business with his brother, donating 1/2 a pig cut and wrapped to a cancer fundraiser for a neighbor with Stage 4 melanoma…Started a Lawn Care Business with his brother…Volunteers at our local recreation…Volunteers at local elementary reading books to the students and helped in to retrofit the library…Team captain in basketball and baseball…Held numerous church leadership positions.
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Parents:               Lance & Adri
Head Coach:       Devin Lindley
 
 
Sione Moe
5-10, 200  RB/DB  Timpview
Football Accomplishments: Deseret News 5A MVP…Region 7 Offensive MVP…AIGA Polynesian Bowl MVP…Team Captain…1^st Team All-Utah Valley…2018 Deseret News All-State…2017 1^st Team All-Desert Sky (California)… 2019 statistics: 155 carries for 1423 yards and 13 touchdowns.
 
Academic Accomplishments: 3.4 GPA…Principal's Honor Roll.
Extracurricular: Helped Organize and execute team lunches with Special Education Department at high school…Organized team dance fundraiser for two team members whose fathers passed away…Volunteered for Special Olympics…Helped organize service projects to clean homes and yards of families in need.
 
Parent:                 Siope & Desiree
Head Coach:       Andy Stokes
 
 
Austin Mortensen
6-0, 185  WR/DB  Springville
Football Accomplishments: 1st Team All State Deseret News…1^st Team All-Region…Team Captain…Desert News Player of the Week…Team MVP…Team Most Outstanding Cornerback…2019 Statistics: 1,756 all-purpose yards, 1,080 receiving yards, 18 receiving touchdown, 56 receptions, 75 tackles, 6 interceptions, 4FF and 6 TFL.
 
Academic Accomplishments: 3.98 GPA…Honor Roll member each term…Honors Math all four years…Concurrent enrollment classes: Financial Literature, Sports Medicine, English 1010, Math 1030, Woodshop.
 
Extracurricular: Planned, organized, and delivered over 90 gift bags to the residents at Ashford Assisted Living and Memory Care…Repaired and painted the Springville High Football Snack Shack…Held numerous church leadership…Volunteered dozens of hours at youth football and youth basketball camps teaching youth fundamental skills, positive attitude and sportsmanship, hard work, and love of the game…Served in the community by volunteering numerous hours running clocks and supervising youth basketball games.
 
Parents:               Clint & Natilee
Head Coach:       Willy Child
 
 
Kael Myers
6-0, 160  DB/RB  Millard
Football Accomplishments: 1st Team All State Deseret News… 2018 2nd Team All-State…2018 South Region 2nd Team…Currently school record for career receptions…Hawaii Tiki Bowl Invite…Nominee for Mid-Utah Radio Defensive Player of the Year…Defensive Career Stats: 108 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 4 Interceptions, 5 Fumble Recoveries, 2 Forced Fumbles, 1 Defensive Touchdown…Offensive Career Stats: 110 Receptions, 1,011 Rec Yds, 9 Receiving Touchdowns, 3 Passing Touchdowns, 145 Passing Yds, 3 Rushing Touchdowns, 125 Rush Yds.
 
Academic Accomplishments: 3.89 GPA…3 Year National Honor Society Member…Member of Junior National Honor Society…4 Concurrent Enrollment Classes through Snow College Honors Math I, II, and III Math 1050.
 
Extracurricular: Homecoming Court Member of Government Youth Council…Student Body Officer…Student Council member…Repaired sheds for the elderly, taking off the tin roofing, tearing down the warped and ruined wood and disposing of it…Helped organize and carry out football/basketball community service projects and led project to refurbish county fairground grandstands.
 
Parents:               Stoney & Kristine
Head Coach:       Ethan Stephenson
 
 
Bodie Schoonover
6-4, 210  LB/TE  American Fork
Football Accomplishments: Two-time 1st Team Deseret News All State…Two-time 1st team All Region…Team MVP…Polynesian Bowl All Star…Recognized as Polynesian Bowl Top Performer…Team captain
 
Academic Accomplishments: 3.72 GPA…AP US History, AP Government, AP Environmental Science, Honors Math
 
Extracurricular: Participated in humanitarian trip to Guatemala aiding the chronically malnourished by making and maintaining garden boxes…Peer mentor for special needs student…Referee for Special needs basketball tournaments…Volunteer at Kapi'olani Children's Hospital…Volunteered to collect humanitarian aid to Africa and Fiji…Service Club, Polynesian Club…Basketball State Champion…Member of track team.
Parents:               John & Sidnie
Head Coach:       Aaron Behm

 
National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Utah Chapter
Our mission is to promote and develop the power of amateur football in developing the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive zeal and the drive for academic excellence in America's young people.
We will fulfill this mission in the following ways:

• By inspiring young people to excellence: holding up the greatest players and coaches in the history of the game as role models and enshrining them and their achievements in the College Football Hall of Fame.
• By exciting young people, and those who influence them, about the game: in particular, managing the College Football Hall of Fame in such a way as to dramatize the history, exhilaration and value of the game to an ever broadening audience of fans and potential fans.
• By developing, managing and promoting model football programs, which further strengthen the educational and character building qualities of the game.
• By honoring, publicizing and providing financial support to high school and college football players who represent our ideal of the scholar-athlete.
• By continuing a grassroots movement through local chapters, while involving football fans, coaches, educators, the media and former players in the implementation of the programs, which will fulfill our mission for America's youth.