Kyle Friend

Classroom

Kyle Friend embodies the Owls’ ideal student-athlete. In 2015, he received the Owl Club Academic Award for the highest GPA on the team and also made the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for the third-straight school year. He has earned a spot on the first two American Athletic Conference All-Academic Teams along with the 2012 Big East All-Academic Team. Following his sophomore year, he made the Academic All-Area team for the Philadelphia Inquirer, which includes more than a dozen schools in all three NCAA Divisions. He is projected to graduate in spring 2016 with his bachelor of science degree.

Character

Through his actions, Friend has become one of the leaders on the team. He is a consistent top performer during off-season training, earning the TUFB Elite Honor a team-high 13 times this year. He is a three-time captain and has been voted by his teammates as the toughest player on the team. He was one of four true freshmen to start in 2012 and has become a key part of the program’s resurgence under Head Coach Matt Rhule. Friend was selected by Coach Rhule and the program to represent the team at American Conference Media Days in Newport, Rhode Island, each of the past two years.

Community

Friend stays in active in volunteering by participating in team projects. He has helped to hand out water to runners and walkers during the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Philadelphia and participated in Walk a Mile in Her Shoes to promote awareness of domestic violence.

Competition

Friend has become one of the most accomplished offensive linemen in the country, winning three letters in his career. He is one of four Owls who has played in 35 consecutive games, with a team-high 33-straight starts. He’s made his second consecutive Rimington Award Watch List, which recognizes the best center in the country. After making the All-AAC Second Team last year from the conference and College Sports Madness, he starts 2015 on the Preseason All-AAC First Team (Athlon Sports). He has twice made the 25 “Freaks” in College Football list comprised by Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports.