MINNEAPOLIS, MN - April 7, 2015 - The Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation is excited to announce the 2015 Scholar Athlete award winners. The nine scholar-athletes reside in communities across the state of Minnesota and will be recognized at the 8th Annual Minnesota Football Honors on May 3, 2015 at the Hilton Minneapolis. This year's winners were chosen for their academic excellence, displays of outstanding leadership, and commitment to their communities.

Team captain Taylor Otterstatter is a versatile athlete for Mayer Lutheran, running track and playing basketball in addition to playing both sides of the ball for the football team. The three-time All-Minnesota River Conference selection caught 68 passes for 881 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior tight end. On defense, he moved from defensive end to linebacker and became the team’s leading tackler. Otterstatter was named to the KARE-11 All-Metro Team and KDUZ All-Area Team.

Mayer Lutheran’s National Honor Society president, Otterstatter is a perpetual honor roll student who has earned an Academic Excellence Certificate every year. Otterstatter has accepted a partial scholarship to play football at Northern Iowa, where he would like to study sport and health science.

He has also devoted an impressive amount of time to service. Otterstatter has been on mission trips to Mexico, volunteered in his school’s link and shadow programs, presented and emceed at the Celebrate His Harvest Gala, coached youth camps and more. Taylor’s parents are Keith and Tami.

Eight other young men will receive recognition as outstanding high school Scholar-Athletes. All of the athletes were nominated by their football coaches and were evaluated on their academic achievement, football ability, performance, leadership, attitude, and service to their community. Other 2015 honorees are Trey Anderson (White Bear Lake Area High School), Tommy Auger (St. Cloud Cathedral High School), Ben Ellefson (Hawley High School), Gunnar Grimsrud (Rochester Mayo High School), Ismael Kamara (Harding High School), Ben Shoults (Maple Grove High School), John Solberg (Cambridge-Isanti High School), and Mitchell Stangel (Crosby-Ironton High School).

The 8th Annual Minnesota Football Honors, presented by the Minnesota Vikings, will take place Sunday, May 3, 2015 at Hilton Minneapolis. College and professional football Hall of Fame inductees are scheduled to attend the event, and WCCO-TV news personality Frank Vascellaro will return for his eighth year as Master of Ceremonies. The event is open to the public. To register or for additional information about this year’s Minnesota Football Honors, please visit www.minnesotafootballhonors.com. For sponsorship information, please email lindsay@nffmn.org.