Center named second-team All-America by Football Writers Association of America

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University of Toledo senior center Greg Mancz was named second-team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), it was announced today.

Mancz is the only player from the Mid-American Conference to make the FWAA All-American team. He is the first Rocket to earn All-American honors since Eric Page was named honorable mention by Sports Illustrated in 2011. He is also the first UT offensive lineman to make either first- or second-team All-America on one of the five major All-America teams since Dan Bukovich made the Associated Press first-team in 1938.

“This is a great honor for Greg, one that he truly deserves,” Toledo Head Football Coach Matt Campbell said. “To be named an All-American is very special, an honor that very few players ever receive. This is a proud day for Greg and for the entire University of Toledo football program.”

“I am very honored and humbled to be named an All-American by the FWAA,” Mancz said. “I look upon an award like this as an honor for my entire team, especially the offensive line. We are all seniors and really worked as a single unit this year, so I feel like the other four guys on the line earned a share of this honor.”

Mancz has been showered with post-season awards. Last week, he was honored with the 2014 Vern Smith Leadership Award, which is given annually to the MAC’s top player. He is the first Rocket to receive this award since quarterback Bruce Gradkowski shared the honor with Western Michigan wide receiver Greg Jennings in 2005, and the first Rocket to win the award outright since running back Wasean Tait in 1995. He is also the first offensive lineman to earn the award in its 33-year history.

Mancz also made first-team All-MAC this season, making him a three-time All-MAC recipient. He moved to center this season after playing three seasons at guard. He helped lead the Rockets to an 8-4 record and guided the offense to the No. 1 spot in the MAC in total offense (486.3 yards) and rushing offense (247.3 yards)

He was a nominee for five national awards this season, and was a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy, given annually to the nation’s leader in community service. He has already graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance and is pursuing an MBA. He regularly volunteers for team charity events and often organizes them. He served as president of the UT Student Athletic Advisory Committee in 2013-14. He even has found time to be the campus vice president of Athletes in Action and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Mancz’s final game as a Rocket will be Sunday, Jan. 4, when Toledo plays Arkansas State in the GoDaddy Bowl in Mobile, Ala.