Thomas, a senior linebacker, has overcome both a stroke and three ACL surgeries to become a huge part of the Mavericks’ 5-2 season.
Hicks, a fifth-year senior safety, has used the struggles of his childhood as fuel to provide numerous opportunities for the less fortunate, from raising money during the COVID-19 pandemic to working with a school food scarcity operation.
Kentucky’s J.J. Weaver is this week’s nominee for the 2021 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Weaver, a redshirt sophomore linebacker, has overcome an ACL tear and dealt with multiple personal tragedies while becoming an integral role in the Wildcats’ 11th-ranked defense.