Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Heintschel (6) looks to pass as offensive lineman Lyndon Cooper (56) blocks Syracuse linebacker Antoine Deslauriers (5) during the second half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

PITTSBURGH — Quarterback Mason Heintschel was named one of 14 semifinalists on Wednesday for the 2025 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club to the nation’s most outstanding freshman player.

The award, now in its seventh year, honors a college football freshman who best embodies excellence in performance, leadership, and character. Named after former Alabama and Seattle Seahawks star Shaun Alexander, past winners include Trevor Lawrence (Clemson), Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama), Brock Bowers (Georgia), Drake Maye (North Carolina) and Caleb Downs (Alabama/Ohio State) .

Since taking over as Pitt’s starting quarterback in Week 6, Heintschel has the Panthers on a five-game winning streak and a No. 24 ranking in the College Football Playoff standings. Over that stretch, the true freshman has thrown for more than 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Pitt (7-2, 5-1 ACC), which has a bye this week, leads the nation with 200 points during its five-game win streak and ranks second nationally in total offense over that span. Heintschel also became the first true freshman since Jameis Winston in 2013 to record at least three touchdown passes and 300 passing yards in three of his first six career starts.

Finalists for the award will be announced Dec. 3, with the winner named Dec. 30. The formal presentation will take place at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala on March 14, 2026, in Atlanta.

Star receiver injured

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida receiver Eugene Wilson III, coming off a nine-catch, 121-yard performance against Georgia, won’t play at Kentucky on Saturday.

The Gators (3-5, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) ruled Wilson out Wednesday with a lower leg injury, two days after saying fellow receiver Dallas Wilson is out for the season with a right foot injury.

Eugene Wilson III, the son of a two-time Super Bowl champion, had been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Florida’s coaching change. After catching 18 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns in the first seven games, the third-year sophomore from Tampa had a breakout performance against the Bulldogs. He also scored in the 24-20 loss.