The Fred Mitchell Award is proud to recognize the top 10 collegiate place-kickers for their excellence on the football field and for continued community service throughout the year. Carroll senior kicker Jacob Laurent is one of this year's 10 finalists for the annual award, after recently completing a record-breaking season and career.

"Our selection committee is impressed with the remarkable quality of the kickers in contention for the 2023 Fred Mitchell Award," said Mitchell. "Exceptional kicking performances and genuine commitment to community service make this Top 10 finalist group stand out."

A native of Kenosha, Wis., Laurent earned First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-Region honors this season. He set school records this year for most single game (4),single season (13) and career (28) field goals made, while finishing just one field goal shy of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) single season record. Laurent also booted a career-long 44-yarder at Augustana this season in a game which saw him make four field goals, en route to CCIW Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week.

Laurent also led the CCIW in field goal percentage (.765) and field goals per game (1.30), which ranked 17th and third, respectively, in NCAA Division-III. He also ranked Ranks third in the CCIW and 49th in D-III for scoring (8.2 ppg), fifth in the CCIW and 67th in D-III for total points scored (82), fourth in school history for career field goal percentage (.651 ; 28-for-43), and broke the school record for single season PATs with 43 this season. Laurent ranks third in school history for career PATs made (101).

In addition to his success on the field, Laurent has also excelled off of it. As Carroll's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Vice President for three years, he played a key role in organizing a Special Olympics bowling outing, while also serving as a CCIW SAAC board member. A Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Greater Milwaukee Community Volunteer, Laurent helped organize Carroll football's partnership with BBBS. Laurent has also worked as a Carroll University Fellow for three years, which is an elevated student-work position, helping to run day-to-day operations for Carroll's Athletics Department. He has also organized a clothing and food drive for the homeless shelter through Lakeside Lutheran Church, where he has also served as a Communion volunteer. Also a volunteer at the soup kitchen, Laurent has organized a fundraiser for children in need of school supplies and is a proud member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at Carroll University. Laurent's dream is to serve his community by becoming a firefighter.

The recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award will be announced in mid-December based on performance on the football field and in the community. Details are provided at www.fredmitchellaward.com.The 10 finalists for this award consists of five players from NCAA Division-I FCS schools, three from D-III, including Laurent, one from NAIA, and one from NJCAA.