AWARDS
Luke Kuechly High School Defensive Player of the Year

2021 “Luke Kuechly” Defensive Player of the Year
Ryan Harris
South Point High School
Ryan is with Jim Szoke

2019 “Luke Kuechly” HS Defensive Player of the Year
Alec Mock
Weddington High School
Alec is with Chris Reeder of BSN Sports

2018 “Luke Kuechly” HS Defensive Player of the Year
Chritopher Panko
Chuthbertson High School
Chris with BSN Sports’ Chris Reeder

2017 “Luke Kuechly” HS Defensive Player of the Year
Dax Hollifield
Shelby High School
Dax with CPI’s COO Brent Uhl and Carolina Panthers Linebacker Luke Kuechly

2016 “Luke Kuechly” HS Defensive Player of the Year
Tharald “TJ” Elliott
East Mecklenburg High School
TJ with Eric Hillman, CEO of Europa Sports Products

2015 “Luke Kuechly” HS Defensive
Player of the Year
Cameron Rodgers
A.L. Brown High School

2014 “Luke Kuechly” HS Defensive
Player of the Year
Stephen Griffin
South Mecklenburg High School
with Luke Kuechly
The Award:
In 1997, the Charlotte Touchdown Club initiated the High School Defensive Player of the Year Award. This award is given annually to an area high school football player who has excelled in the four areas of our charter: Scholarship, Sportsmanship, Leadership, and Citizenship. We feel the sport of football teaches young men the very fundamentals that inspire the growth of our future leaders. The winner’s school will receive a $2,000.00 honorarium, directed to the Athletic Department, in the name of the award recipient. The recipient will be recognized for his achievement at the annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Awards and will receive a certificate and trophy for his inspiration through example. The winner is chosen by a review panel selected by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. All finalists receive a certificate designating them as such for this award.
Award Criteria:
All applicants must be in their senior year of high school football and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. Five specific areas are evaluated on each applicant. These areas are:
- Scholarship
- Athletic Achievements
- Sportsmanship
- Leadership
- Citizenship