Portland State senior Cornelius Edison has been named the Rimington Award winner as the top center in the nation for all of the NCAA I FCS level. It marks the second time in school history that a PSU player has earned the prestigious Rimington Award.
Edison, a 6-3, 305-pounder from University Place, WA, has been a fixture on the Vikings' talented offensive line the past four years. As a senior, he was named team co-captain while moving over from left guard to center and proved to make a smooth transition. Edison was recently named first team All-Big Sky Conference for the second year in a row. Two weeks ago Edison competed in the FCS National Bowl All-Star game, starting at center.
Edison started the last 35 games of his career at PSU. In 2014, he was part of a line that allowed a league-low 10 sacks while the Vikings threw the ball 423 times. He also blocked for a running game that totaled 2,500 yards (208.3 per game) - the third-most in school history. In fact, the past four seasons of Viking football have produced the four highest rushing totals in school history (3,330 in 2013; 2,726 in 2011; 2,500 in 2014; 2,382 in 2012). Meanwhile, the Vikings allowed only 35 sacks over the last four seasons (46 games). Edison played a primary role on those offensive lines.
The previous Viking to earn the RImington Award was Brennen Carvalho in 2007. Carvalho was a consensus first team All-American that season.
The 2014 Rimington Award recognizes the most outstanding centers in the NCAA's FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA. The Rimington Award is named after Dave Rimington, the only two-time winner of the Outland Trophy in addition to back to back first team All-American selections for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Rimington Trophy is given to the top center at the NCAA I FBS level.
For the complete release Rimington Trophy release, click here.
The Rimington Award is the latest post-season honor for a Viking football player. Senior punter Kyle Loomis has already been named first team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association and the Walter Camp Foundation. More post-season awards will be released later this week.
