BRONX – For the second straight year, Fordham grad student linebacker James Conway, who became the NCAA Division I career tackles leader last Saturday, has been named a finalist for the FedEx Doris Robinson Award. He is one of 13 finalists - one from each NCAA FCS 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.
 
The Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award recipient will be announced on Dec. 9, then honored at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show on Jan. 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.
 
A 2025 Preseason All-American, Conway recorded nine tackles at Georgetown on Saturday, to bring his career total to 585, setting a new NCAA Division I record, surpassing the former mark of 577 set by Troy's Carlton Martial. The nine tackles also bring Conway's season total to 149, setting a Fordham single season record, breaking the old mark of 145 set by Mark Blazejewski in 1991.
 
Conway is also a finalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football's premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership.
 
A two-year captain, Conway is a three-time First Team All-Patriot League selection. The 2022 Sophomore All-American entered the 2025 season with the Fordham and Patriot League career tackles records. This season, Conway leads the FCS in total tackles (145) and tackles per game (13.5).
 
Conway has excelled academically, graduating magna cum laude with a 3.71 GPA in May 2025 as a marketing information systems major. A two-time CSC Academic All-District selection and four-time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, Conway is currently pursuing a master's degree in artificial intelligence.