BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Football punter Cole Maynard was named the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Year and quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year, the league announced Thursday.
In addition to the two superlative award, Maynard highlighted WKU's All-Conference recognitions by being named the league's First Team All-Conference USA punter. On Second Team Offense were receiver Matthew Henry and left guard Laurence Seymore, while Rex Robich made Second Team Special Teams at long snapper. All-CUSA Honorable Mention selections on offense included receiver K.D. Hutchinson and left tackle Marshall Jackson, and All-CUSA Honorable Mention Defense honorees included defensive end Harper Holloman and safety Jaylen Lewis. Tisdale, running back Marvis Parrish and center Elijah Williams were named to the CUSA All-Freshman Team.
WKU has now received 14 postseason superlative awards since joining CUSA ahead of the 2014 season, which is the most in the league during that time. It is the second time WKU has had a player named the CUSA Special Teams Player of the Year – the Hilltoppers also received the recognition in 2024 – and it is WKU's first Freshman of the Year award since joining CUSA.
Maynard has been recognized as one of the top punters both in CUSA and nationally throughout the season. Maynard led the nation in punting average during the regular season at 48.7 yards per punt over 51 punting attempts. He was named to the Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List, the 2025 CUSA Preseason Watch List, and was twice named to the Ray's 8 List honoring the top punting performances of the week. Maynard has also been recognized with the top special teams performance of the week in the league twice as CUSA's Special Teams Player of the Week. Over his 51 punts this season, Maynard had sent 25 50-plus yards – with a long of 71 yards – and has 12 downed inside the 20-yard line, with 15 fair catches and only five touchbacks. His 48.7 yards per punt would be a new WKU record for single-season punting average, topping the previous mark of 45.9 yards per punt by John Haggerty during the 2019 season.
Tisdale, a redshirt freshman, assumed the starting quarterback role for the last five games of the regular season and provided a spark to the offense, which averaged 29.8 points during that stretch against Conference USA competition in four games and against LSU in the other. Tisdale threw for 1,367 yards and nine touchdowns on 130-of-192 passing during the season, with the majority of that coming over the course of the last five games. He also provided a spark on the ground and finished as WKU's fourth-leading rusher with 105 yards and two scores on 47 attempts. Tisdale had two 300-yard passing performances in five games, and his two 300-yard passing performances are tied for fourth-most in CUSA across all games, despite only starting five games. His four passing touchdowns against New Mexico State are tied for the second-most touchdown passes in a game by a CUSA quarterback this season in conference games, and his 371 yards passing against Middle Tennessee are fifth-most among CUSA quarterbacks in conference games. Tisdale has twice been named CUSA Freshman of the Week, and Tisdale is one of only two players across the league to be named CUSA Freshman of the Week multiple times entering the final week of the regular season, along with teammate Marvis Parrish.
Henry transferred to WKU in the offseason, making the jump up to the FBS level from FCS, and became an immediate impact player for the Hilltoppers. He finished with a team-best 762 yards receiving and six touchdown receptions on 48 receptions. His seven total touchdowns – he also returned a kickoff 48 yards for a touchdown against Nevada, becoming one of just five CUSA players to return a kick for a touchdown in 2025 – are second-most for WKU this season. Henry's 4.00 receptions per game rank ninth across CUSA, while his 63.5 receiving yards per game are fourth-most. Henry's two touchdowns against New Mexico State are tied for the most by a CUSA player in a single game this season. Henry has posted 100-yard receiving games twice (148 vs. Sam Houston; 135 vs. Middle Tennessee), and his two 100-yard receiving games are tied for fifth-most in CUSA this season. In CUSA games, Henry ranks fifth in receptions per game (5.00) and second in receiving yards per game (86.13).
Seymore started all 12 games for WKU at left guard and has been recognized as one of the top offensive linemen in the league throughout the fall. Seymore was twice named CUSA Offensive Lineman of the Week, and was one of only three players to receive the recognition multiple times leading into the final week of the regular season, with Jackson being one of the others. Seymore has helped the Hilltoppers to the second-best scoring offense in CUSA at 29.75 points per game. Seymore has helped the Hilltopper offense become one of the top passing offenses in the league with his 90.2 pass blocking grade, which is the best mark among guards in CUSA this season and ranks seventh-best in the nation among the position group. He did not allow a sack during the regular season.
Robich has been consistent for one of the best special teams units in CUSA the last two years, starting as the team's long snapper. This year, Robich has handled snapping duties for Maynard, the nation's leader in punting average and a two-time honoree as CUSA's Special Teams Player of the Week and two-time Ray's 8 list member. Robich has also helped WKU go 16-of-20 on field goals this season, including the second-longest field goal in program history from Jack Cassidy at 55 yards. Robich has added a pair of tackles this season, helping the Hilltoppers to an 8-4 overall record.
Hutchinson remained an explosive option in WKU's offense this fall. He led the team in receptions with 61, and finished the regular season with 619 yards receiving and three touchdown receptions – both second-most on the team. Hutchinson also provided a threat in the run game with 88 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 13 attempts. Hutchinson's five touchdowns this fall are tied for third-most on the team. Hutchinson is second in the the league in receptions per game with 5.08 and total receptions with 61, and he ranks ninth in the league in receiving yards per game with 51.58. His two receiving touchdowns against North Alabama are tied for the most touchdown receptions by a CUSA player in a single game this season, and his 78 yard touchdown reception – on a one-handed grab – that game was the longest reception by a CUSA player this season.
Jackson started all 12 regular-season games at left tackle for the Hilltoppers this season and was recognized as one of the top offensive linemen in the league throughout the fall. Jackson was twice named CUSA Offensive Lineman of the Week, and was one of only three players to receive the recognition multiple times leading into the final week of the regular season, with Seymore being one of the others. Jackson was the lone returning starter on WKU's offensive line from 2024, and helped the Hilltoppers to the second-best scoring offense in CUSA at 29.75 points per game. In addition to being named CUSA Offensive Lineman of the Week twice, Jackson was a 2025 Burlsworth Trophy Nominee, a HERO Sports G5 Preseason Third Team All-American, a member of the 2025 CUSA Preseason Watch List and a 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee and member of the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List.
Holloman started all 12 games at defensive end and helped the Hilltoppers to the second-best scoring defense in CUSA at 23.42 points allowed per game this fall. Holloman had 35 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss – which was second-most on the team – two sacks, one interception – which came at LSU – four pass breakups, five quarterback hurries and one blocked field goal. Holloman is the top-rated pass rusher among edge defenders in CUSA with a grade of 86.1, according to PFF.
Lewis provided a spark to WKU's defense this season. The Hilltoppers finished the regular season with the second-best scoring defense in CUSA, allowing just 23.42 points per game, and WKU also had the second-best pass defense efficiency in the league this fall. Lewis was the second-leading tackler on the team with 68 total tackles, and he added three tackles for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Lewis averaged 5.67 tackles per game this season, which ranks tied for 22nd in the league. Lewis was named CUSA's Defensive Player of the Week once during the 2025 campaign.
Parrish started all 12 regular-season games for the Hilltoppers this season and led the team in rushing with 511 yards on 99 attempts, while also finishing as the team's third-leading receiving with 36 catches for 203 yards and a touchdown. Parrish is one of two players to be named CUSA Freshman of the Week multiple times entering the final week of the regular season – the other being his teammate, quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. Parrish posted a 100-yard rushing performance against Middle Tennessee, marking the first time a Hilltopper true freshman running back has accomplished the feat since 2022. Parrish's 36 catches rank tied for fourth-most all-time by a WKU freshman.
Williams started three games at center for WKU this fall in his first year with the program. He appeared in five games total. Williams posted a run blocking grade of 60.3 and didn't allow a sack or a hit over 220 snaps at center, according to PFF. WKU finished the season ranked second in CUSA in scoring offense at 29.75 points per game.
2025 CUSA POSTSEASON AWARDS (WKU)
Special Teams Player of the Year
Cole Maynard
Freshman of the Year
Rodney Tisdale Jr.
First Team Special Teams
P Cole Maynard
Second Team Offense
WR Matthew Henry
OL Laurance Seymore
Second Team Special Teams
LS Rex Robich
Honorable Mention Offense
WR K.D. Hutchinson
OL Marshall Jackson
Honorable Mention Defense
DE Harper Holloman
DB Jaylen Lewis
All-Freshman Team Offense
QB Rodney Tisdale Jr.
RB Marvis Parrish
OL Elijah Williams
WKU finished the regular season with an 8-4 overall record and is bowl eligible for the seventh time in seven seasons under Head Coach Tyson Helton. WKU now awaits its destination and opponent for its 11th bowl game in the last 12 years.
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