Nick KrugA senior Kansas football captain, Bryce Torneden was named Wednesday a national semifinalist for the 2019 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
A Lawrence native and Free State High graduate, Torneden was one of 20 players from around the country to make the cut for the Witten award, which was established to honor players for their leadership, courage, integrity and sportsmanship on and off the field.
Torneden, a defensive back who leads KU with 61 total tackles through nine games, during his three-plus years as a Jayhawk has taken part in various community service activities and made many trips to local elementary schools.
Of late, Torneden also has spent a great deal of his down time working with Team Impact, a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams. Through the program, Torneden and other Jayhawks have connected with a local youth, Tayber Witt, who lives with a genetic disorder. Torneden often welcomes Witt to the team’s facility, and spends time with him away from campus, too, visiting his school or taking Witt out to go bowling or participate in other activities.
Torneden also was selected for the 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and is a candidate for the 2019 Senior CLASS Award.
Three finalists for the Witten award will be named on Dec. 16. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on Feb. 18, 2020, at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
