Bryce Torneden

Classroom

A two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree (2017-18), Bryce Torneden is an academic standout. He also has earned a spot on the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll and Athletics Director’s Honor Roll for five consecutive semesters.

Character

Torneden was selected to be on KU’s Unity Council and also as the defensive team captain by his peers. Additionally, because of his impressive leadership skills, he was was recently selected as one of the Big 12 Conference’s two football players tabbed for the NCAA’s Football Student-Athlete Connection Group.

Community

Torneden has participated in numerous community service initiatives with a focus on impacting the Lawrence community. He has spent many hours visiting local elementary schools and doing his best to impact the next generation of children. The work he is most proud of is his role with Team Impact. Team Impact is a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes. Torneden is KU Football’s leadership team captain for KU’s relationship with Team Impact. He leads 10 players who determine how the team spends its time with their teammate, Tayber, and how they can positively impact his life. He has spent countless hours with Tayber on campus and has also led groups visiting Tayber at his school, taking him bowling and including him on team travel. He was recently named to the 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and is a 2019 Wuerffel Trophy nominee.

Competition

Torneden earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors in 2018. He also took home honorable mention honors from the league coaches in 2017 as well as earning All-Big 12 Third Team honors from Athlon Sports. Heading into the 2019 campaign, he was tabbed a Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team honoree by Athlon Sports. Torneden has started 26 games, including 25-straight, at either safety or nickelback for KU. He is KU’s leading returning tackler as he posted 91 tackles in 2018. He also had one interception, which he returned 39 yards for a touchdown, and 5.5 tackles for loss as a junior.

(All stats as of nomination time.)