Minnesota Pass Rusher Boye Mafe Named Division I Bobby Bell College Impact Player of the Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – June 28, 2022 – Minnesota pass rusher Boye Mafe has been named the Division I Bobby Bell College Impact Player of the Year by the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation.
This award is presented annually to the top Division I college football player in Minnesota. Mafe, a second-round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks, will be recognized during this summer’s Minnesota Football Honors show.
“Boye Mafe was a disruptive force within the Gophers defense. He impacted games and represented Minnesota football at the highest level,” said Todd Fultz, President of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation. “Boye played youth, high school and college football in our state and is a great example of what can be accomplished through hard work and perseverance. We are thrilled to honor him for his outstanding accomplishments.”
Boye Mafe’s speed, explosiveness and unique athletic ability became a fixture of Minnesota’s defense. In 2021, Mafe led the Gophers with seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 41 total pressures. The Hopkins High School alum’s outstanding play earned him All-Big Ten Second Team honors. Additionally, in the classroom, Boye was named a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection (2020, 2021).
Following the 2021 season, Mafe entered the NFL Draft and made a strong impression at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. The Gophers pass rusher was named National Team Player of The Game after accumulating a pair of sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Mafe also grabbed the attention of scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine. Minnesota’s star pass rusher posted a 9.91 out of 10 relative athletic score (RAS), which ranked No. 14 out of 1,504 defensive ends since 1987, according to Kent Lee Platte’s database. Mafe shot up draft boards and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round (No. 40) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Minnesota Football Honors is hosting a show later this summer to honor its high school, college and Minnesota Vikings award winners. Full broadcast details will be announced in the coming weeks on www.minnesotafootballhonors.com.
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About the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation:
The Minnesota Chapter of The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame is a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote amateur football’s ability to develop leadership, sportsmanship, competitive spirit and academic excellence in Minnesota’s young people. The Minnesota Chapter recognizes legendary football icons, college football Hall of Famers and Minnesota’s top high school and college football scholar athletes. For more information, visit www.nffmn.org, or Facebook (@MNFootballHonors) and Twitter (@NFFMN).
Contact:
Todd Fultz, President - MN Chapter of the National Football Foundation
Phone: (612)-325-5500
Media Contact:
Daniel House, Director of Media Relations and Content
MN Chapter of The National Football Foundation