Rutgers Football running back Antwan Raymond wins Jon Cornish Trophy
Antwan Raymond‘s efforts for Rutgers Football this season have been recognized again, this time on the international level.
The Scarlet Knights’ top running back has been named the winner of the 2025 Jon Cornish Trophy, awarded to the top Canadian player in college football. Raymond becomes the first Rutgers player to win the award, as the Scarlet Knights continue to develop strong ties and players in the nation up north.
The second-year back becomes the third winner of the trophy in four years from the Big Ten, joining Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke in 2024, and Illinois running back Chase Brown in 2022.
Since the award’s inception in 2017, each winner has at least signed on an NFL roster, with former Ohio quarterback Nathan Rourke winning the first two times in 2017 and 2018, former Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard winning in 2019, former Alabama wideout John Metchie III winning in 2020 and 2021, former Stanford receiver Elic Ayomanor in 2023, and Brown and the younger Rourke in 2022 and 2024. The elder Rourke became a star in the CFL before earning NFL looks.
Raymond also had a teammate as a finalist, as safety Jett Elad gave Rutgers two of the five finalist spots. Linebacker Dariel Djabome was also named a finalist in 2024.
A native of Montréal, Québec, Raymond celebrated a breakout season in 2025, finishing third in the Big Ten with 1,241 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 244 carries. He also notched career numbers in the passing game with 18 receptions for 225 yards and two scores, both coming on deep passes of 48 and 46 yards.
Following the season, Raymond was also named one of ten semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back. He reached the 100-yard mark four times, including a 240-yard performance in a win over Maryland on a program record-tying 41 carries. He ran for 105 yards in the fourth quarter alone, and was named the Doak Walker Running Back of the Week.
Raymond also earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors, with his rushing yards ranking eighth-most in a season in Scarlet Knights history. His conference recognition marked the third straight year a Rutgers running back earned All-Big Ten honors, joining Kyle Monangai in 2023 and 2024.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder joined the Scarlet Knights a year ahead of time, reclassifying from the class of 2025 to 2024 after his high school, Clearwater International Academy in Florida, announced it would be closing its doors following his junior season. Having committed to Rutgers in April of 2024, he opted to join the program that summer, rather than find a new high school for his senior year.
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