DALLAS — University of Hawai'i senior defensive back and team captain Elijah Palmer has been named to the watch list for the 10th annual Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.

Palmer is one of 89 student-athletes nationwide selected to the watch list for college football's premier leadership honor. Nominated by their respective institutions, candidates demonstrate an outstanding record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity, and sportsmanship both on and off the field.

Earning a spot as one of four team captains, Palmer has emerged as the undisputed vocal leader and general of the 2026 Rainbow Warriors A two-time All-Mountain West honorable mention selection at defensive back, the Las Vegas native is widely recognized for his relentless work ethic, accountability, and deep commitment to bringing out the best in his teammates while serving as a key ambassador for the football program in the community. Grounded in his Christian faith, he is the leader of the team's spiritual council and is heavily involved with UH campus ministry and charity work through his church.

The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player's leadership on and off the field. The award is named after former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, a 16-year NFL veteran, 2012 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and one of the sport's most respected humanitarians.

Twenty semifinalists for the award will be selected by a subset of the selection committee and announced on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Three finalists will then be named on Monday, Dec. 14, with the overall winner revealed at the official award ceremony in the Spring of 2027. The award winner will receive a $10,000 contribution in his name to his school's athletic scholarship fund, donated by Jason Witten's SCORE Foundation. Founded in 2007 by Witten and his wife Michelle, the SCORE Foundation has impacted tens of thousands of children and families through initiatives such as its nationally recognized SCOREkeepers male mentorship program.

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