WVU Football WR Cyrus Traugh Wins 2026 Tommy Nickolich Memorial Award

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The WVU football program announces wide receiver Cyrus Traugh, a redshirt junior from Parkersburg, West Virginia, is the winner of the 2026 Tommy Nickolich Memorial Award, presented each spring by the Blue & Gold News.

While the award does not automatically guarantee a scholarship, it recognizes a walk-on team member who has distinguished himself through his attitude and work ethic. The award is presented in memory of Tommy Nickolich, a former WVU player (1980-82) who died of cancer in 1983.

Traugh is in his second year as a member of the football team and played in two games in 2025 with a season-high 10 plays at Kansas.

Kelsie LeRose / WVSN

Traugh redshirted his first year at Youngstown State in 2023, seeing action in two games. In his second season, he was the second-leading receiver with 36 catches for 409 yards and a team-high five receiving touchdowns, earning NCAA FCS Freshman All-American honors.

Past Nickolich Award winners:

2025                    Clay Ash, RB

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

Most of this story originated as a WVU press release sent to WV Sports Now. 

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