GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman football long snapper Julian Ashby is among 15 finalists for the 2023 FedExGround Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award, it was announced today.

The ninth annual award, named for the late school teacher and wife of legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson, is presented to the FCS student-athlete who excels on the playing field, in the classroom, and across the community.

The recipient will be announced on Dec. 12 and honored at the FCS National Award banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas, on the eve of the national championship game.

Ashby, a senior physics major from Lilburn, Ga., and holder of 3.97 GPA, has handled Furman's snapping duties for PATs, field goals, and punts over the last four seasons, successfully executing 389 snaps while working with a pair of All-SoCon punters and an all-conference placekicker.  He's also been credited with 13 tackles in his career.

During his tenure Furman has won a Southern Conference championship (2023) and made two FCS playoff appearances (2022 & '23).  

A two-time Southern Conference All-Academic Team and three-time SoCon Academic Honor Roll selection (teams from this year yet to be announced), he has twice been honored as the SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week.

In addition to his performance on the field, Ashby has worked with local non-profit Valiant Player and made multiple visits to Prisma Health Children's Hospital and pediatric patients.  He has also organized toy drives among Furman student-athletes for patients, as well as visited local elementary schools for reading sessions and official welcomes.

He is a member of Furman's Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) leadership team and has been a volunteer at Rise Against Hunger meal packaging events coordinated by the FCA.

2023 FedEx Ground Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award Finalists
Kwaku Adubofour, Harvard, DL, Sr., 6-2, 283, Norristown, Pa. (Ivy League)
Julian Ashby, Furman, LS, Sr., 6-2, 214, Lilburn, Ga. (Southern Conference)
Max Brosmer, New Hampshire, QB, Gr., 6-2, 221 Roswell, Ga. (CAA Football)
Jason Brown, Jackson State, QB, Sr., 6-2, 230, Fredericksburg, Va. (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Will Burke, St. Thomas, TE, R-So., 6-3, 235, St. Paul, Minn.  (Pioneer Football League)
Jacob Dicharry, Lamar, OL, Jr., 6-5, 285, Dallas (Southland Conference)
Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross, LB, 5th Year, 6-0, 237, Macomb, Mich. (Patriot League)
Anthony Egbo Jr., Abilene Christian, CB, Sr., 5-8, 190, Richmond, Texas (Western Athletic Conference)
William McRainey, Gardner-Webb, LB, Sr., 6-0, 228, Shallotte, N.C. (Big South Conference)
Tommy Mellott, Montana State, QB, Jr., 6-0, 192, Butte, Mont. (Big Sky Conference)
David Satkowski, Stonehill, OL, 5th Year, 6-4, 290, Southbury, Conn. (Northeast Conference)
Chad Strickland, Eastern Illinois, OL, Sr., 6-5, 315, Salem, Ala. (Ohio Valley Conference)
Juan Velarde, North Carolina Central, P, Sr., 5-10, 200, Anderson, S.C. (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Cole Wisniewski, North Dakota State, S, Sr., 6-4, 217, Sparta, Wisc., (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Jau'Von Young, Austin Peay, DL, Grad., 6-2, 281, Nashville (United Athletic Conference)