Otton Earns 114th Guy Flaherty Most Inspirational Award

SEATTLE – Tight end Cade Otton won the 114th annual Guy Flaherty Award, the Washington football program's oldest and most prestigious team honor Sunday at the teams' annual postseason awards banquet, held at Husky Stadium.

The Flaherty Award, given to the UW's most inspirational player and voted on by the players was first awarded in 1908. Otton (Tumwater, Wash.) was the team's offensive MVP in 2020.

Also Sunday, tailback Sean McGrew (Torrance, Calif.), cornerback Trent McDuffie (Westminster, Calif.), and safety Dominique Hampton (Glendale, Ariz.) were named the team's most valuable offense, defensive and special teams players, respectively.

The 101 Club Academic Excellence Award was given to linebacker Jackson Sirmon (Brentwood, Tenn.), while tailback Kamari Pleasant (Rialto, Calif.) was presented with the Academic Achievement Award.

Sirmon also shared the Chuck Niemi Big Hit Award with safety Cameron Williams (Bakersfield, Calif.). The winner of the Earle T. Glant Tough Husky Award was safety Alex Cook (Sacramento, Calif.), while punter Race Porter (Seattle) took home the Tyee Sports Council Community Service Award.

The John P. Angel Lineman of the Year award was presented to center Luke Wattenberg (Trabuco Canyon, Calif.) while defensive tackle Tuli Letuligasenoa won the L. Wait Rising Lineman of the Year.

Linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala (Federal Way, Wash.) was honored with the Don James Perseverance Award, while left tackle Jaxson Kirkland (Portland, Ore.) and cornerback Kyler Gordon each won the Husky Excellence Award.

The Travis Spring Most Outstanding Freshman Award was shared by linebacker Carson Bruener (Redmond, Wash.) and wide receiver Jalen McMillan (Fresno, Calif.). Wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (Lufkin, Texas) was honored as the Husky Fever 12th Man of the Year.

For their work in the weight room, linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (Anchorage, Alaska) won the Iron Husky Award and freshmen Caden Jumper (Eatonville, Wash.) and Camden Sirmon (Missoula, Mont.) shared the Iron Pup Award.

The Bob Jarvis Offensive Scout Squad Player of the Year also went to Camden Sirmon; the Mark Drennan Defensive Scout Squad Player of the Year was given to linebacker Drew Fowler (Bellevue, Wash.); and the Brian Stapp Special Teams Scout Squad Player of the Year Award was presented to linebacker Ben Hines (Snohomish, Wash.). Those three awards were chosen by the players this year.

The Apple Cup Play of the Game Award was presented to Rome Odunze (Las Vegas, Nev.), for his one-handed touchdown catch.

The Kurt Gegner Memorial Award, given to student staff members, went to Darek Khabani (equipment), Jumpei Dobashi (video), and Amandalyn Boersema (training room)

Here is a complete recap of all of Washington's team award winners for 2020:

2021 Washington Football Awards

Guy Flaherty Most Inspirational
Cade Otton

Most Outstanding Offensive Player
Sean McGrew

Most Outstanding Defensive Player
Trent McDuffie

Most Outstanding Special Teams Player
Dominique Hampton

Husky Excellence Award
Jaxson Kirkland & Kyler Gordon

Don James Perseverance Award
Alphonzo Tuputala

101 Club Academic Award
Jackson Sirmon

Academic Achievement Award
Kamari Pleasant

John P. Angel Lineman of the Year
Luke Wattenberg

L. Wait Rising Lineman of the Year
Tuli Letuligasenoa

Earle T. Glant Tough Husky
Alex Cook

Chuck Niemi Big Hit Award
Jackson Sirmon & Cameron Williams

Tyee Sports Council Community Service Award
Race Porter

Bob Jarvis Offensive Scout Squad MVP
Camden Sirmon

Mark Drennan Defensive Scout Squad MVP
Drew Fowler

Brian Stapp Special Teams Scout Squad MVP
Ben Hines

Travis Spring Most Outstanding Freshmen
Carson Bruener & Jalen McMillan

Husky Fever 12th Man Award
Ja'Lynn Polk

Apple Cup Play of the Game Award
Rome Odunze

Iron Husky Award
Edefuan Ulofoshio

Iron Pup Award
Caden Jumper & Camden Sirmon

Kurt Gegner Memorial Award
Darek Khabani (equipment), Jumpei Dobashi (video), Amandalyn Boersema (training room)

Schedule

Players Mentioned

Carson Bruener

Alex Cook

Drew Fowler

Kyler Gordon

Dominique Hampton

Ben Hines

Caden Jumper

Jaxson Kirkland

Tuli Letuligasenoa

Trent McDuffie

Sean McGrew

Jalen McMillan

Rome Odunze

Cade Otton

Kamari Pleasant

Ja'Lynn Polk

Race Porter

Camden Sirmon

Jackson Sirmon

Alphonzo Tuputala

Edefuan Ulofoshio

Luke Wattenberg

Cameron Williams

Footer

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Event: Football at Nebraska on Oct 31, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PT

Upcoming Event: Football versus Penn State on Nov 7, 2026 at TBD

Upcoming Event: Football at Michigan State on Nov 14, 2026 at TBD

Upcoming Event: Football versus Indiana on Nov 21, 2026 at TBD

Upcoming Event: Football at Oregon on Nov 28, 2026 at TBD

Results

Completed Event: Football at Purdue on October 16, 2026 , Win , 38, to, 26

Completed Event: Football versus #20 Iowa on October 9, 2026 , Loss , 24, to, 41

Completed Event: Football at #18 USC on October 3, 2026 , Loss , 21, to, 25

Completed Event: Football versus Minnesota on September 26, 2026 , Loss , 24, to, 27

Completed Event: Football versus Eastern Washington on September 19, 2026 , Win , 48, to, 16