Northwest Wayne News

The Wayne State University football team hosted its 2024 awards banquet at the Motor City Casino Banquet Hall in Detroit. Head coach Tyrone Wheatley announced several individual honors for his second season leading the Warriors.

Senior tight end John Rayba from Rochester Hills, Michigan, was named the 2024 Offensive Most Valuable Player. He is the first tight end to receive this award since 2004. Rayba led the team with five touchdown receptions and has been recognized as a First Team All-GLIAC selection. He has played in all 32 games over three seasons and was honored with a GLIAC Commissioner's Award for academic and athletic excellence.

Graduate student linebacker Carl Ware from Detroit was voted Defensive Most Valuable Player. Ware appeared in all 11 games and led the league in forced fumbles. He also received recognition as a College Sports Communicators Second Team Academic All-American.

Place-kicker Griffin Milovanski from Saugatuck, Michigan, earned Special Teams Most Valuable Player for the third consecutive year. Milovanski set school records for career field goals made and consecutive PATs during the 2024 season.

Junior safety Elijah Fowlkes from Cleveland received the Ron Solack Memorial "35" Award. The award honors players who exhibit pride and enthusiasm similar to that of Ron Solack, whose jersey number was retired by Wayne State University.

Redshirt sophomore safety Chris Gillam from Cincinnati was presented with the Randy Guzowski Award for leadership and community service contributions. Gillam has been active in various community programs while maintaining strong academic performance.

True freshman Richardo Wourman from Livonia, Michigan, received the Offensive Rookie of the Year award after participating in several games before an injury sidelined him for part of the season.

Defensive lineman Roshaun McGee from Merrillville, Indiana, was named Defensive Rookie of the Year after appearing in ten contests during his first collegiate season.

The Scholar-Athlete Award went to four students: Will Fennema, Ethan Gates, Quincy Salter, and Jordan Stefanides, each achieving a perfect GPA during fall semester courses.

Charles Wesley earned this year's Serxho Guraleci/Ultimate Warrior award for outstanding work in strength training.

The Courtney "Cortez" Smith Award went to true freshman Raevon Strong from Detroit for his positive contributions both on and off the field despite not dressing for any games last fall.