Emanuels wins NFF scholar-athlete award

Emanuels was among eight award finalists, winning the award in the 'back' category.

Mercer Island senior David Emanuels added another scholarship to his list of achievements, this time winning the National Football Foundation’s scholar-athlete award in the ‘back’ category at the NFF’s 49th annual scholar-athlete award ceremony Sunday, Feb. 8 in Seattle.

A linebacker and wide receiver on the gridiron for the Islanders, Emanuels was among eight award finalists, divided into categories by position, with four ‘back’ nominees and four linemen. Ben Josie of Kennedy High School won the award in the linemen category.

The award recognizes players who excel both as a player and as a student from the King and Kitsap Counties, with high school coaches nominating one back and one lineman. This year, Mercer Island coach Brett Ogata nominated two backs, the other nominee being quarterback Alfonso Gonzalez.

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Other finalists included (backs) King High School’s Ryan Fransen, Bothell’s Sam McPherson, Newport’s Eric Smith and (linemen) Calvin Throckmorton, Kennedy Catholic’s Josie, Liberty’s Quinn Magendanz and Inglemoor’s Michael Milcarek.

Emanuels holds a 4.0 GPA and registered a 2350 SAT score, while ranking number one in his class. He was nominated to the state all-star football game, earned WIAA player of the week honors and earned all-state 3A recognition.

Emanuels was the seventh Islander to win the award and the fourth member from his family to be nominated. Previous winners included Jeff Lindquist (2011), Christopher Taylor (2004), Aaron Hazelrigg (1991), Jon Braman (1989), Bruce Kroon (1979) and Jon Franklin (1973). Emanuels’ older brothers Ben and Alex were also finalists for the award in 2010 and 2012, respectively, as was his father, Brian, in 1980.