MANHEIM, Pa. – Redshirt senior offensive tackle Ryan Schernecke (Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland) of the Kutztown University football team was announced as one of eight national finalists for the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award, presented by the Manheim Touchdown Club.
 
Schernecke was one of two finalists selected to the national ballot from Super Region 1, along with Slippery Rock's Joe Cooper. Two finalists from each of the four super regions were voted forward by sports information directors from across the country. The other six finalists include Wingate guard Will Hart and Catawba offensive tackle Avery Swinton from SR2; Ferris State offensive tackle Tim Anderson and Ashland defensive end Michael Shimek from SR3; and Central Washington center
Slade Edwards and Harding offensive tackle Jake Mitchell from SR4.
 
Schernecke, a Hatboro, Pa., native has started all 13 games at left tackle for the unbeaten and third-ranked Golden Bears this season. Schernecke is a three-time All-PSAC East pick, earning First Team honors in 2024 and 2025. He's also a two-time D2CCA All-Super Region 1 selection, capturing a First Team spot in 2025.
 
With Schernecke leading the way up front, Kutztown ranks second in NCAA Division II in passing efficiency (177.1), fourth in scoring offense (43.6 ppg), fourth in fewest tackles for loss allowed (3.31), fifth in fewest sacks allowed (0.69) and 19th in total offense this season (436.3 ypg). Schernecke also rushed once for a 2-yard touchdown in a victory over Millersville, Oct. 18.
 
Schernecke has played in parts of five seasons between 2021-25, making 43 career starts in 46 games. He had his 2023 season cut short due to injury after just two contests. He's been a key to the Golden Bears' success in the trenches, helping the program to PSAC East and PSAC championships in 2021, 2024 and 2025, along with being a member of the 2023 team that won both the PSAC East and PSAC titles. Kutztown advanced to the national quarterfinals in 2021 and 2025 with Schernecke starting.
 
Prior to the start of the 2025 season, Schernecke was named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List as part of the Second Team Offense.
 
Schernecke is the first finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award from Kutztown since Jordan Morgan won the award in 2016. Morgan was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round (147th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.
 
The eight finalists came from a group of 29 nominees, and three finalists are still playing as their teams participate in this weekend's NCAA Division II Championship quarterfinals: Schernecke with Kutztown, Anderson with Ferris State, and Mitchell with Harding. Eight nominees overall played in this year's NCAA DII playoffs.
 
The winner will be voted upon by sports information directors from across Division II and announced Dec. 12. All nominees are seniors or graduate players/transfers and are lineman on either side of the ball at either offensive tackle, guard, or center; or defensive tackle, guard, or end.
 
The award is named in honor of the late Mr. Gene Upshaw, who was not only an All-Pro lineman for the Oakland Raiders, but later served as the executive director of the NFL Players Association for 25 years. Upshaw, a former standout offensive lineman at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M Kingsville), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 in his first year of eligibility. The award is presented annually by the Manheim Touchdown Club.