Arizona State’s Klemm nominated for Orange Bowl Courage Award
DALLAS (FWAA) — Arizona State’s Jalen Klemm is this week’s nominee for the 2026 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Klemm, a fifth-year senior, has overcome a stroke to start in every game this season for the Sun Devils.
“That was one big lesson, living in the moment, appreciating all the little things we have right now,” Klemm told the Arizona Daily Star this summer. “There was a time I couldn’t go have lunch with the guys, couldn’t be with them in the locker room. I really missed that. You don’t know how much you miss something until it is taken away.”
Klemm, then 20 years old, suffered a stroke in August of 2024, just before his first season at ASU. He was released after treatment, before an MRI the following day revealed a diagnosis and a 10-day hospital stay. He underwent physical therapy at the Barrow Neurological Institute for five months.
The Western Pennsylvania native was physically cleared five months later in January, but he was not yet in football shape.
Klemm saw reserve action last season before starting in the Sun Bowl against Duke. He won the starting right tackle job for this season and was one of seven players voted to the program’s Pat Tillman Leadership Council.
The son of former Super Bowl champion and offensive line coach Adrian Klemm, Jalen Klemm began his career at Kansas State in 2022, before spending a season at Washington and then transferring to ASU.
Jalen Klemm won a conference championship in each of his first three seasons: the Big 12 title, the Pac-12 title and the Big 12 title again, with the latter two seasons landing his teams in the CFP.
Klemm started in this past Saturday’s 30-12 win over Hawaii, which is his father’s alma mater.
The Courage Award was first presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) in 2002. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship. The winner of the award will be included in festivities during Capital One Orange Bowl week and receive his trophy at an on-field presentation.
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.
2026 Courage Award Nominees
First Week: Texas OT Trevor Goolsby
Second Week: Illinois LB Ismael Kante
Third Week: Pittsburgh Equipment Manager Niko Pitney
Fourth Week: Yale QB Dante Reno
Fifth Week: Arizona State OL Jalen Klemm
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
