Illinois’ Kante nominated for Orange Bowl Courage Award

DALLAS (FWAA) — Illinois’ Ismael Kante is this week’s nominee for 2026 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Kante, a fifth-year linebacker, took an improbable journey to become a leader for the Fighting Illini.

“It feels great to finally call a place home,” Kante told Illini Inquirer in 2024.

Kante immigrated from West Africa with his parents and five younger brothers in 2012. He took to football and wrestling while at Brooklyn Park Center High School in Minnesota, earning a football scholarship to Northern State, a Division II school in Aberdeen, S.D. He spent two years at Northern State, including a redshirt year in 2022, before transferring to Iowa Central Community College, where he became one of the best linebackers at the juco level and drew the attention of Illinois coach Bret Bielema.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Kante committed to Illinois and made his presence felt from Day 1 in Champaign. He played in all 13 games for the 9-4 Illini, and he stepped into a leadership role entering 2026.

Through three games, Kante leads the team in tackles with 15. He has one stop behind the line of scrimmage, one quarterback hurry, and he returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown in the Illini’s season-opening win over UAB.

A health communications major, Kante earned Illinois’ Scholar Athlete of the Week honors for Week 1. He is also a nominee for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, which is given to the FBS player who exhibits leadership through exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.

Kante is also Muslim, and he has gone to great lengths to practice, including abiding by fasting within the religion.

“It means the world because I have five younger brothers, and I’m motivation to them. And the whole city is looking at me and I’m hoping to motivate them,” Kante told Illini Inquirer about his journey. “I went from D-II to JUCO to now I’m in the Big Ten. That means a lot to me. Everybody sees my work ethic and knows I work hard at this, but I’m not going to stop now.”

About Orange Bowl

Orange Bowl is a primarily volunteer non-profit sports organization with more than 400 members that promotes and serves the South Florida community. With its primary mission since being created in 1935 to bring tourism to South Florida through an annual football game and events, it has also maintained a legacy of charitable contributions and community outreach. Orange Bowl’s community outreach is embodied by the four pillars of its Orange Bowl Cares program: Youth Sports, Education, Community Engagement, and Legacy Programs. Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the 2026 CFP Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 14, 2027. For more information about Orange Bowl events, including promotional inquiries and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, visit orangebowl.org or follow @OrangeBowl on social media

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.

All-Time FWAA Courage Award Recipients
2025 Alex McPherson, Auburn
2024 Tylee Craft, North Carolina
2023 Mike Hollins, Virginia
2022 Cam McCormick, Oregon
2021 Utah Team
2020 Alex Charlton, Arkansas State
2019 Blake Anderson, Arkansas State
2018 Kyle Richard, SUNY-Cortland
2017 D’Cota Dixon, Wisconsin
2016 James Conner, Pitt
2015 Hunter Knighton, Miami
2014 Laken Tomlinson, Duke
2013 Anthony Larceval, San Jose State
2012 Daniel Rodriguez, Clemson
2011 Arthur Ray Jr., Michigan State
2010 Eric LeGrand, Rutgers
2009 Connecticut Team
2008 Wilson Holloway, Tulsa
2007 Zerbin Singleton, Navy
2006 Ray Ray McElrathbey, Clemson
2005 Tulane Team
2004 Haracio Colen, Memphis
2003 Neil Parry, San Jose State
2002 William Bratton, Toledo

To submit a nomination for the 2026 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, contact Matt Fortuna at matt.fortuna@gmail.com