Gumms and Nwaiwu Named CFN Freshman All-Americans

Coach Andy Mac · December 6, 2022

CHICAGO (Dec. 6, 2022) – After having stellar performances on the field this season, North Texas freshmen Var’Keyes Gumms and Febechi Nwaiwu both were named College Football News (CFN) Freshmen All-Americans, the organization announced Tuesday.

Gumms, who set a record for the most single-season yards by a tight end in program history, was a Second Team selection while Nwaiwu, who started 12 of 13 games for the Mean Green this season, landed on the Third Team.

UNT is one of just 18 FBS schools to land multiple players on the first, second or third teams and the only school in C-USA to accomplish that feat.

One of the top tight ends in the country, regardless of classification, Gumms finished the season with 33 catches for 451 yards and five touchdowns. His five touchdowns are the second-most by any TE in UNT history and is tied for 13th among all FBS TEs.

Among FBS TEs who had at least 50 targets on the year, Gumms’ 13.7 yards per reception ranks second in FBS, only behind Georgia’s Brock Bowers who was recently named a finalist for the 2022 John Mackey Award given to the best tight end in college football.

Nwaiwu, meanwhile, had a strong 2022 campaign after redshirting a season ago. A 12-game starter at guard for UNT, Nwaiwu blocked for a Mean Green offense that ranked inside the top-30 in FBS in total offense, rushing offense and scoring offense.

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF) Nwaiwu is the highest graded freshman offensive lineman in Conference USA and ranks among the top-20 among all lineman in the league. In 391 pressure opportunities, Nwaiwu has not allowed a sack and has given up just 11 total pressures this season.

Both Gumms and Nwaiwu return to action with the Mean Green on Saturday, Dec. 17 when they play in the Frisco Bowl at 8:15 pm inside Toyota Stadium against Boise State.

Hunter Green · December 6, 2022

Great job, gentlemen. You make us proud!

GO MEAN GREEN!

MeanGreenTexan · December 6, 2022

2 minutes ago, Coach Andy Mac said:

CHICAGO (Dec. 6, 2022) – After having stellar performances on the field this season, North Texas freshmen Var’Keyes Gumms and Febechi Nwaiwu both were named College Football News (CFN) Freshmen All-Americans, the organization announced Tuesday.

Gumms, who set a record for the most single-season yards by a tight end in program history, was a Second Team selection while Nwaiwu, who started 12 of 13 games for the Mean Green this season, landed on the Third Team.

UNT is one of just 18 FBS schools to land multiple players on the first, second or third teams and the only school in C-USA to accomplish that feat.

One of the top tight ends in the country, regardless of classification, Gumms finished the season with 33 catches for 451 yards and five touchdowns. His five touchdowns are the second-most by any TE in UNT history and is tied for 13th among all FBS TEs.

Among FBS TEs who had at least 50 targets on the year, Gumms’ 13.7 yards per reception ranks second in FBS, only behind Georgia’s Brock Bowers who was recently named a finalist for the 2022 John Mackey Award given to the best tight end in college football.

Nwaiwu, meanwhile, had a strong 2022 campaign after redshirting a season ago. A 12-game starter at guard for UNT, Nwaiwu blocked for a Mean Green offense that ranked inside the top-30 in FBS in total offense, rushing offense and scoring offense.

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF) Nwaiwu is the highest graded freshman offensive lineman in Conference USA and ranks among the top-20 among all lineman in the league. In 391 pressure opportunities, Nwaiwu has not allowed a sack and has given up just 11 total pressures this season.

Both Gumms and Nwaiwu return to action with the Mean Green on Saturday, Dec. 17 when they play in the Frisco Bowl at 8:15 pm inside Toyota Stadium against Boise State.