Stanford Football Honors Standouts at Annual Team Banquet
STANFORD, Calif. - With the 2025 season officially in the books, Stanford Football gathered on Sunday afternoon for its annual end-of-season banquet - a celebration of the players, coaches, and staff who poured everything into the program this year. Held at McCaw Hall inside the Francis C. Arrillaga Alumni Center, the event was a chance to reflect, recognize, and reward the efforts that defined the Cardinal’s season, both on and off the field.
Here’s a breakdown of the key award winners and the impact they made this fall:
Team Leadership Award - Sam Roush
It’s hard to talk about Stanford’s 2025 season without spotlighting Sam Roush. The veteran tight end didn’t just lead by example - he helped restore Stanford’s proud tradition at the position, reminding fans why the program has long been known as “Tight End U.”
Roush posted career highs across the board: 49 catches, 545 yards, and two touchdowns. That stat line doesn’t just lead the Cardinal - it stacks up nationally. He led all ACC tight ends in receiving yards and tied for the most receptions, while ranking top five among tight ends nationwide in both categories.
His ability to stretch the field was a game-changer. Two receptions of 50+ yards - something only four other tight ends in the country managed - helped him become the only ACC tight end to hit that mark twice. Against Pittsburgh, Roush exploded for 104 yards, becoming just the eighth Stanford tight end since 1995 to post a 100-yard game.
Irving S. Zeimer Offensive MVP - CJ Williams
When Stanford needed a big play through the air, CJ Williams was the guy. The junior wideout emerged as the top target for the Cardinal offense, putting together a breakout campaign with 59 receptions for 749 yards and six touchdowns.
Williams was a model of consistency and big-play ability. He finished seventh in the ACC in receptions, cracked the top 10 in receiving yards, and was just one touchdown shy of the conference lead.
He had four 100-yard games - something no Stanford receiver had done since J.J. Arcega-Whiteside in 2018.
His midseason stretch was particularly electric: three straight games with 100+ yards, a feat not seen at Stanford since 2004 and not accomplished by a Cardinal wide receiver since Troy Walters in 1999.
Jack Huston Defensive MVP - Matt Rose
Matt Rose didn’t just step into a starting role at inside linebacker - he ran with it. In his first year as a full-time starter, Rose became the heart of the Cardinal defense, racking up 106 total tackles - the most by a Stanford defender since Blake Martinez in 2015.
He finished second in the ACC in tackles and added eight tackles-for-loss, three sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Rose had four games with double-digit tackles and ended the season ranked inside the top 25 nationally in total tackles.
Jim Reynolds Special Teams MVP - Anson Pulsipher
Pulsipher’s journey is one of perseverance and payoff. After appearing in just three games over his first three seasons, the senior made the most of his opportunity in 2025, playing in every game and becoming a reliable contributor on special teams.
He recorded six tackles on the year, including a multi-tackle performance on the road against SMU. It was a quiet but meaningful impact - the kind of effort that doesn’t always show up in the box score but is essential to a team’s success.
Tommy Vardell Award - Sam Roush
Roush didn’t just dominate on the field - he excelled in the classroom, too. The senior tight end earned his undergraduate degree in computer science with a 3.8 GPA and is now pursuing a master’s in the same field, with a focus on artificial intelligence, finance, and innovation in computer engineering.
He’s been recognized for his academic excellence with selections to the ACC All-Academic Team and the Academic All-District Team. He was also named to the watch lists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year and the Campbell Trophy, and in November, he was honored as a Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete.
Gundelach Award (Outstanding Junior) - Tevarua Tafiti
Tafiti once again proved why he’s one of the most disruptive edge defenders on Stanford’s roster. The junior outside linebacker posted 32 tackles and two sacks this season, bringing his career total to eight. He matched his career high in tackles-for-loss with seven, including two games with multiple TFLs.
One of those came in Stanford’s comeback win over San Jose State, where Tafiti’s backfield presence helped swing momentum in the Cardinal’s favor.
Deswarte-Eller Award (Outstanding Sophomore) - Micah Ford
Ford was the workhorse of the Cardinal backfield in 2025, leading the team in carries (145), rushing yards (643), and touchdowns (4). His production marked a return to form for Stanford’s ground game, as he posted the most rushing yards by a Cardinal back since 2019 and the most 150-yard games since 2017.
Ford had three 100-yard performances on the season and was named ACC Running Back of the Week after a 157-yard, one-touchdown showing in the home opener against Boston College.
Outstanding Freshman Award - Cole Tabb
Tabb stepped up in a big way when called upon. The redshirt freshman rushed for 445 yards and three touchdowns on 114 carries, making the most of his midseason promotion to the starting role.
His signature performance came in a statement win over Florida State, where he ran for 118 yards and a touchdown. That effort earned him ACC Running Back and Rookie of the Week honors. He became the first Stanford freshman running back to eclipse 400 yards in a season since Anthony Wilkerson back in 2010.
Community Outreach Awards
- Billy Anderson Commitment to Community Outreach (Offense): Fisher Anderson
- Chris Draft Commitment to Community Outreach (Defense/Special Teams): Zach Buckey
Both players were recognized for their dedication to community service, embodying the values of leadership and impact beyond the field.
Frank Rehm Awards - Matt Rose, Jay Green, Micah Ford
This award honors players who delivered game-changing performances when it mattered most:
- Matt Rose led a dominant defensive effort against Cal, posting a career-high 14 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery - a stat line unmatched by any other Power-4 player this season.
- Jay Green made his mark with three pass breakups and a 49-yard fumble return touchdown in the same game - one of two defensive scores on the day for Stanford.
- Micah Ford once again powered the offense with 150 rushing yards and his fourth touchdown of the year, the second-highest single-game total of his career.
As the Cardinal close the book on 2025, the banquet served as a reminder of the talent, resilience, and leadership within the program. From breakout stars to steady veterans, Stanford has a strong foundation to build on - and plenty of reasons to believe in what’s next.