WVU Football Announces Winner of 2025 Walk-On Award

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – As part of an annual tradition, the WVU football program announced the 2025 winner of the Tommy Nickolich Memorial Award before the Spring Showcase event. For 2025, sophomore running back Clay Ash claims the honor.

This recognizes Ash as the walk-on member who has distinguished himself through his attitude and work ethic.

While winning this award does not guarantee a scholarship, it has foreshadowed players eventually making the team in the past.

WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose

Ash, a Charleston, W.Va. native, now in his second year as a Mountaineer, played in nine games during the 2024 season and saw action on 37 snaps on special teams. Ash’s 2024 season was highlighted with 10 snaps against Texas Tech. He also earned a spot on WVU’s Garrett Ford Academic Honor roll and the Big 12’s Commissioner Honor Roll last year.

The Tommy Nickolich Memorial Award is presented by the Blue & Gold News in the memory of Tommy Nickolich, a former WVU walk-on player from 1979-82 who died of cancer shortly after his tenure on the team ended in 1983.

Past Nickolich Award winners:

2024                    Avery Wilcox, S

2023                    C.J. Cole, WR

2022                    Nick Malone, OL

2021                    Graeson Malashevich, WR/H

2020                    Osman Kamara, S

2019                    Jake Abbott, LB

2018                    Evan Staley, K

2017                    Nick Meadows, LS

2016                    Jon Lewis, DL

2015                    Justin Arndt, LB

2014                    Michael Calicchio, OL

2013                    Connor Arlia, WR

2012                    Tyler Anderson, DE

2011                    Ryan Nehlen, WR

2010                    Matt Lindamood, FB

2009                    Josh Taylor, DL

2008                    Adam Hughes, LS

2007                    Andy Emery, LB

2006                    Tim Lindsey, LS

2005                    George Shehl, H/DB

2004                    Jeff Noechel, LB

2003                    John Pennington, WR

2002                    Moe Fofana, RB

2001                    Jeremy Knapp, TE

2000                    Ben Collins, LB

1999                    Bryan Lorenz, LB

1998                    Mark Corman, TE

1997                    David Lightcap, DB

1996                    Matt Ceresa, OL

1995                    Rob Keys, DB

1994                    Randy Fulmore, DB

1993                    Matt McCulty, WR

1992                    Brett Parise, WR, Ray Wilcox, LB

1991                    Keith Taparausky, RB

Find more coverage of the WVU football program at WV Sports Now.