Michigan State University Athletics
Khari Willis Selected Candidate for Senior CLASS Award
9/26/2018 2:34:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State senior safety Khari Willis has been selected one of 30 national candidates for the Senior CLASS Award.
To be eligible for the prestigious award – which former Spartan quarterback Kirk Cousins won in 2011 – a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I FBS senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Willis owns a 3.24 grade-point average as an interdisciplinary studies in social science major, with an emphasis on community governance and advocacy. He was voted a captain by his teammates entering his senior season and has 129 tackles, nine pass break-ups and three interceptions in 36 career games, including 20 starts.
Willis volunteers his time at several community events, including the King Community Center in his hometown of Jackson, Michigan, where his father, John, is the director. Willis is also a candidate for the Wuerffel Trophy, presented annually to the player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement, and was MSU's nominee for the Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team.
Willis was the keynote player speaker at the 2018 Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon in Chicago, and delivered an inspirational speech calling on his fellow Big Ten players to make a difference in their communities. He received a standing ovation and video of his speech went viral across social media.
Through three games this season, Willis has recorded 17 tackles, three pass break-ups and one interception for the No. 21/18 Spartans.
To determine the final Senior CLASS Award winner, the 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. Along with the winner, the 10 finalists will be awarded Senior CLASS Award first- or second-team honors.
The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the football bowl season in early January. For more information on the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
Cousins became the first Spartan to win the Senior CLASS Award in 2011. Most recently, Josiah Price was named a candidate for the award in 2016.
To be eligible for the prestigious award – which former Spartan quarterback Kirk Cousins won in 2011 – a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I FBS senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Willis owns a 3.24 grade-point average as an interdisciplinary studies in social science major, with an emphasis on community governance and advocacy. He was voted a captain by his teammates entering his senior season and has 129 tackles, nine pass break-ups and three interceptions in 36 career games, including 20 starts.
Willis volunteers his time at several community events, including the King Community Center in his hometown of Jackson, Michigan, where his father, John, is the director. Willis is also a candidate for the Wuerffel Trophy, presented annually to the player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement, and was MSU's nominee for the Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team.
Willis was the keynote player speaker at the 2018 Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon in Chicago, and delivered an inspirational speech calling on his fellow Big Ten players to make a difference in their communities. He received a standing ovation and video of his speech went viral across social media.
Through three games this season, Willis has recorded 17 tackles, three pass break-ups and one interception for the No. 21/18 Spartans.
To determine the final Senior CLASS Award winner, the 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. Along with the winner, the 10 finalists will be awarded Senior CLASS Award first- or second-team honors.
The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the football bowl season in early January. For more information on the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
Cousins became the first Spartan to win the Senior CLASS Award in 2011. Most recently, Josiah Price was named a candidate for the award in 2016.
Players Mentioned
S
/ FootballSaturday, September 26
Thursday, September 24
Monday, September 21
Saturday, September 19