–Staunch in spirit, stubborn and strong-willed, without a shred of fear, McNelly, tenacious and tireless to the end, intercepted and apprehended hundreds of Texas outlaws. McNelly’s Rangers were ruthless when necessary, causing incessant disruptions to the outlaw network. “They would stop at nothing in pursuit of justice.”
Similar to how the following SIX Defensive Backs stop at nothing in pursuit of intercepting or deflecting the football or wrangling ball carriers to the ground.
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Before getting to this years finalists and announcing the winner. Let’s flash back to August 14th.
ONE FINAL WORD 8/14/25
Ed Reed is one of the reasons I fell in love with the defensive back position. He is the reason this site is named what it is, and in my opinion, Ed Reed was the greatest Single High Safety to play the sport. The guts, instinct, and skill it takes to be that kind of ball hawk makes it my all-time favorite position to watch. He would’ve won the McNelly Award for sure. He lost out on the Thorpe to bone-crunching Strong Safety Roy Williams.
Tell you what, I’ll make him an honorary winner right now.
Before we begin the first annual season of the McNelly Award, I would like to present an honorary McNelly Award to Miami Safety Ed Reed. His outstanding play on the field during his time at the University of Miami and his gritty on field demeanor, inspired at least one (this guy) to at least try to follow in his footsteps. After all, that’s what “Follow Me to Hell” and McNelly was all about. And so, it seems fitting to allow the first ever honorary winner of the Single High Sports McNelly Award to be the absolute legend, Ed Reed. The greatest Single High Safety to ever live.
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This season, there were six outstanding defensive backs who have labored for and led their teams to victories this season. These young men exemplify everything necessary to become a McNelly Award Finalist: courage, brains, and ability. Fear is simply not an option with these fine candidates.
–Now, without further ado, it is my privilege to present the 2025 McNelly Award Finalists.
McNelly Award Final SIX
- Nick Andersen/ Wake Forest
The Senior has consistently led his team all season and his efforts have helped the Demon Deacons to an astonishing season. I say astonishing because the vast majority of football experts picked this team to win five games or less this season. Yet, they have achieved an 8-4 record.
Nick Andersen’s consistent play is one of the primary reasons that his team has found success.
Against Duke on the final week, he recorded 6 Tackles, 1/2 TFL, and 1/2 a sack.
- Ahmaad Moses/ SMU
Moses has been a lightning bolt for the Mustangs on defense all season and one of the leaders. Perhaps, he did not lead them all the way to the ‘Promised Land’ of a playoff berth, but a strong effort by both him and his team.
The Senior has put together a great season highlighted by his performance against Miami. 15 Tackles, two for a loss, and two picks led the Mustangs to an overtime victory.
Moses impressed with 10 Tackles and 1 PD in the loss to Cal in Berkely.
- Louis Moore/ Indiana
One of the smoothest Safeties in all the land. He’s recorded picks in five separate games including one against one of the best QB’s in the country, Dante Moore. In that particular game, he recorded 8 tackles along with an elite interception on a deep ball. The focus, speed, instincts, hands, and smoothness in his stride reminded me of the GOAT Safety of all time and Honorary McNelly Award winner, Ed Reed.
It takes an exceptional play to give me that sort of flashback, but on that particular play, he was Ed Reed incarnate.
Moore recorded two tackles in the win over Purdue on the last day of the season.
- Caleb Offord/ Kennesaw St
According to the stats, the Senior Cornerback has been as consistent in coverage as anyone this year. Enough to where he caught my eye to add him to this list.
He recorded 4 Solo Tackles and forced a fumble in the two-overtime win over Liberty.
- Bishop Fitzgerald/ USC
If I had to pick a favorite player on this list just off of likability, it’s Bishop. I’ll admit that there may be an acorn of bias since I followed the Trojan team so closely over the Summer and learned to like several players from a distance.
Bishop is not only a leader filled with undaunted courage but keeps it light with his team whenever possible. Maybe not while he’s laying waste to a running back in the open field or intercepting a QB, but during interviews and on the sidelines, he comes off as a lighthearted dude.
But it is the Senior Safety’s play on the field that lands him on this list.
Surprisingly, it was his effort in the Trojan loss at Notre Dame that impressed me the most. He recorded ten tackles in that game, including several encounters with the Best Running Back in the country and Heisman candidate, Jeremiyah Love. Not every one of those encounters went his way, but he went full bore with each effort on that terribly rainy night.
Unfortunately, Bishop missed the final two games with an injury. Only up.
- Josh Moten/ Southern Miss
Josh made the preseason McNelly Watchlist of twelve and is the only one of the original twelve to make the final. He put on a show in Jonesboro when he recorded 6 Tackles and 3 interceptions in the 27-21 road win against Arkansas St.
The Senior CB recorded 3 Tackles and 2 PD against Troy.
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So, which of these is deserving to win the inaugural McNelly Award?
Well, I narrowed the six down to two and compared each to decide a winner.
Andersen, Bishop Fitz, Moten, and Offord had phenomenal seasons but fell just short of the two finalists: Ahmaad Moses and Louis Moore.
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- S Louis Moore Indiana
- 68 Tackles, 5 INT, 2 TFL, 2 PD
- S Ahmaad Moses
- 91 Tackles, 5.5 TFL, 5 INT, 1 for a TD, 2 PD, 2 FR, and 1 Sack
Two safeties that imbody an Ed Reed playmaker mentality and a McNelly worthy brand of courage and leadership. Louis impressed every time I watched him, and his interception of Dante Moore was one of my favorites this season.
However, because of Indiana’s dominant offense, his skills on defense were not needed as much as say, Ahmaad Moses. For this reason, Moses is the McNelly Award winner!
It’s not just about the numbers, although they are impressive. Moses is the McNelly because he led his team in some tight games, whether by want or necessity, Moses led his team.
His performance in the win over Miami is difficult to overlook and his consistent play throughout the season for a decent ACC team was worthy in my opinion.
Each player performed well and deserved to be named a finalist, but Moses was the greatest of all. Ed Reed would be proud and so would Leander McNelly.
Congrats Ahmaad. The first McNelly Award Winner. Only up!
Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’
Whit W.