Football | 11/18/2025 12:00:00 PM

BALTIMORE, Md. (Nov.18, 2025) – Morgan State University linebacker Erick Hunter has been named one of 13 finalists for the Doris Robinson Award, honoring the top scholar-athlete in all of FCS, being the representative for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

The Doris Robinson Award, first presented in 2015 and in its 11th season, honors FCS student-athletes who exemplify excellence on the field, in the classroom, and across the community. The values embody the leadership and integrity championed by Doris Robinson, a former schoolteacher and the wife of legendary Grambling State University coach Eddie Robinson.

"Congratulations to Erick for this recognition of his success in the classroom, on the field, and in the community," said Morgan State head coach Damon Wilson. "Erick has shown himself to be a true leader by example, and I look forward to seeing his continued success on and off the playing surface." 

"Erick is a young man who decided to attend Morgan State University right out of high school and has accomplished a number of his goals," added Wilson.  "It's always good to see our local students choose to stay home and take advantage of the academic and athletic opportunities available to them." 

Hunter, the MEAC Preseason Player of the Year, has firmly established himself as one of the premier defenders in the FCS. He is on the official 2025 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List and continues to validate that recognition with his on-field production. Hunter leads the MEAC with 91 total tackles, including 13 tackles for loss (third in the MEAC) and three sacks through 11 games. He also ranks third on Morgan State's all-time tackles list with 287 career stops, reinforcing his reputation as one of the nation's elite defenders.

Equally impressive is Hunter's impact off the field. He is on track to graduate in December 2025 with a degree in business administration and currently holds a 3.04 GPA. He volunteers at Baltimore's Marian House, supporting families who have experienced trauma, and is actively involved in several youth camps. Hunter also serves through Omega Psi Phi Fraternity's partnership with Food 4 Thought Community Outreach Services Inc., further demonstrating his commitment to service and leadership.

The Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award recipient will be announced on December 9 and then honored at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show on January 3 in Nashville, Tennessee. Also to be presented are the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year), and HBCU National Player of the Year Award.

2025 Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award Finalists 

Dillon Botner, Montana, OL, Grad (Big Sky Conference)
James Conway, Fordham, LB, Gr. (Patriot League)
Erick Hunter, Morgan State, LB, R-Sr. (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Tremel Jones, Tennessee Tech, WR, R-Sr. (OVC-Big South Football Association)
Chandler Kirton, Austin Peay, OL, Grad (United Athletic Conference)
Logan Kopp, North Dakota State, LB, Sr. (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Chris Leonardo, Marist, OT, R-Jr. (Pioneer Football League)
JaCobian Morgan, Jackson State, QB, Grad (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Micah Nelson, Western Carolina, DE, R-Sr. (Southern Conference)
Liam O'Brien, Penn, QB, Sr. (Ivy League) 
Derek Robertson, Monmouth, QB, Grad (CAA Football)
Shawn Solomon Jr., Duquesne, RB, Jr. (NEC Football)
Ky Thomas, Stephen F. Austin, DT, Grad (Southland Conference)

Morgan State closes out the 2025 regular season on Saturday, Nov. 22, hosting the North Carolina Central Eagles (7–4, 2–2 MEAC) at Hughes Stadium. Kickoff is set for Noon on ESPN+. The matchup will also serve as 'Senior Day' for the Bears.


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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.