Clemson Tigers Nolan Hauser Earns FWAA Freshman Special Teams Player of the Year

Talented place kicker Nolan Hauser takes home FWAA Freshman Special Teams Player of the Year.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Clay Swinney (88) and place kicker Nolan Hauser (81) in action during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Playoff First Round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Clay Swinney (88) and place kicker Nolan Hauser (81) in action during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Playoff First Round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Clemson Tigers Nolan Hauser recently received monumental recognition for the books delivered by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).

The talented place kicker has officially been named FWAA Freshman Special Teams Player of the Year.

After signing with Clemson in 2024, he certainly lived up to the team's expectations.

Hauser, a freshman from North Carolina, displayed his skill on the field time and time again. However, one moment in particular shocked fans.

Hauser made Clemson history after making a 56-yard field goal as time ran out, taking home a 34-31 win over the SMU Mustangs in Dec. 2024, ultimately leading the Tigers to the CFP.

According to the Clemson Tigers website, Hauser is now the first player who has received the FWAA honor after the organization started to include special teams.

"He is the second Clemson player ever to earn Freshman Player of the Year honors of any kind from the FWAA since Trevor Lawrence won the organization's inaugural award in 2018," as stated on the site. "Clemson becomes the first school ever to produce multiple FWAA Freshman Players of the Year."

Leading up to this announcement, Hauser was named to the FWAA Freshman All-America Team.

Standing proudly beside him were three other freshmen Clemson players, including wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr., linebacker Sammy Brown, and cornerback Ashton Hampton.

"All three are part of the FWAA Freshman All-America Team presented by Doug Doering Mortgage announced yesterday. The three awards are based on regular-season performances. Hauser, Moore and Sellers will be honored during a ceremony Feb. 24 at Spurrier's Gridiron Grille in Gainesville, Fla., along with Syracuse head coach Fran Brown, who earned the FWAA's First Year Coach Award in a separate announcement today."

Hauser has clearly made his athletic presence known on the field and is expected to continue setting the bar high.


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Maria Aldrich
MARIA ALDRICH

Maria Aldrich graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Wilderness Education. While earning her degrees, she learned the fundamentals of climbing, wilderness travel, and leadership in the backcountry. These skills built upon Maria's lifelong passion for the outdoors. Following graduation, she began working in the outdoor recreation field, serving individuals with disabilities to help them access outdoor pursuits including hiking, paddling, horseback riding, and snowshoeing. The following year, Maria moved to the Adirondack Mountains in New York State to continue working towards a life of adventure and writing. She has continued rock and ice climbing, hiking in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, and paddling through various rivers while documenting her experiences through writing. When Maria isn’t adventuring in the mountains, she can be found reading a book, fishing on a shoreline, or spending time with family.