Presenting our nominees for the 2025 H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship award!

Presenting our nominees for the 2025 H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship award!

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has long been a beacon of excellence in collegiate athletics and academics. Since 1986, the H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship has honored the league’s most outstanding male and female student-athletes, recognizing their exceptional achievements both on the field and in the classroom. As we approach the 2025 awards, it’s time to spotlight the nominees who exemplify the spirit of this prestigious accolade.

🏆 Overview of the H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship

The H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship is awarded annually to the SEC’s top male and female student-athletes. Each recipient receives a $20,000 post-graduate scholarship. Additionally, 26 finalists are selected, each earning a $10,000 scholarship. These honorees are chosen by a committee of Faculty Athletics Representatives from the 14 SEC institutions and are celebrated at the SEC Spring Meetings in Destin, Florida. ​University of South Carolina Athletics+1Texas A&M Athletics – 12thMan.com+1Ole Miss Athletics – Hotty Toddy+4University of South Carolina Athletics+4Texas A&M Athletics – 12thMan.com+4Ole Miss Athletics – Hotty Toddy+3Ole Miss Athletics – Hotty Toddy+3Texas A&M Athletics – 12thMan.com+3

🏅 2025 Nominees

James Courson – Auburn University

• Sport: Cross Country / Track & Field

• Major: Computer Science

• Academic Honors: Four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll, two-time USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete

• Athletic Achievements: Outdoor USTFCCCA Honorable Mention All-American (Pole Vault), SEC Champion (Pole Vault)

• Community Engagement: SEC Community Service Team member ​University of South Carolina Athletics+2Auburn Tigers Athletics+2University of South Carolina Athletics+2

Cassie Stevens – Auburn University

• Sport: Gymnastics

• Undergraduate Major: Information Systems Management

• Graduate Major: Exercise Science

• Academic Honors: SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2023, 2024), CSC Academic All-America – First Team (2023)

• Athletic Achievements: SEC Champion (Vault), WCGA All-America First Team (Vault), All-SEC (Vault, Bars, Beam, Floor, All-Around)

• Community Engagement: Seven-time Dean’s List honoree, Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society member ​Auburn Tigers Athletics+10Auburn Tigers Athletics+10University of South Carolina Athletics+10

Maddie Jones – University of Arkansas

• Sport: Gymnastics

• Academic Achievements: Not specified in the provided sources

• Athletic Achievements: Not specified in the provided sources

• Community Engagement: Not specified in the provided sources ​Ole Miss Athletics – Hotty Toddy+2Auburn Tigers Athletics+2Texas A&M Athletics – 12thMan.com+2

Lawson Blake – University of Arkansas

• Sport: Men’s Basketball

• Academic Achievements: Not specified in the provided sources

• Athletic Achievements: Not specified in the provided sources

• Community Engagement: Not specified in the provided sources ​University of South Carolina AthleticsOle Miss Athletics – Hotty Toddy+2Home+2Auburn Tigers Athletics+2

Abby Grottle – Texas A&M University

• Sport: Women’s Swimming & Diving

• Major: Business Management

• Academic Honors: CSCAA Scholar All-America, CSC Academic All-District, SEC and AD Honor Rolls

• Athletic Achievements: Seventh-fastest time in program history in the 1650 free, fourth-fastest in the 1000 free, All-America Honorable Mention in 800 free relay

• Community Engagement: Not specified in the provided sources ​Southeastern Conference+13Texas A&M Athletics – 12thMan.com+13University of South Carolina Athletics+13

Will Smoot – Texas A&M University

• Sport: Football

• Major: Biomedical Sciences

• Academic Honors: Graduated with a 3.97 GPA, Vice President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

• Athletic Achievements: Served on the 12th Man Kickoff Team, received the Brotherhood Impact Award

• Community Engagement: Not specified in the provided sources ​Texas A&M Athletics – 12thMan.com

Kai Kroeger – University of South Carolina

• Sport: Football

• Major: History

• Academic Honors: SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, President’s Outstanding Student-Athlete Award

• Athletic Achievements: Four-year starter, First-Team All-America (2022), First-Team All-SEC (2022), averaged 43.9 yards per punt (second in school history)

• Community Engagement: Represented Football on SAAC, SEC Football Leadership Council ​Auburn Tigers Athletics+2University of South Carolina Athletics+2Ole Miss Athletics – Hotty Toddy+2Auburn Tigers Athletics+1Home+1

Ayana Akli – University of South Carolina

• Sport: Women’s Tennis

• Major: Civil Engineering

• Academic Honors: SEC Women’s Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2024), ITA Scholar-Athlete, CSC Academic All-District

• Athletic Achievements: Over 120 career singles wins, NCAA Singles and Doubles Tournament Quarterfinalist (2023), ITA Singles All-American (2023), ITA Doubles All-American (2023)

• Community Engagement: Two-time SEC Community Service Team member ​Southeastern Conference+8Ole Miss Athletics – Hotty Toddy+8Ole Miss Athletics – Hotty Toddy+8Arkansas Razorbacks+14Ole Miss Athletics – Hotty Toddy+14University of South Carolina Athletics+14Ole Miss Athletics – Hotty Toddy+4University of South Carolina Athletics+4Auburn Tigers Athletics+4

Lukas Engelhardt – University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)

• Sport: Men’s Tennis

• Major: Business Administration (MBA)

• Academic Honors: 4.0 cumulative GPA, finalist for the NCAA Walter Byers Graduate Scholarship, Taylor Medal recipient

• Athletic Achievements: Three-time SEC