Grand Valley State announced its award winners for the 2021 campaign, the 50^th season of Laker football. Grand Valley State finished with a 10-2 record and advanced to the NCAA DII Playoffs for the 20^th time program history. 
 
Most Valuable Player – Cade Peterson, So., QB
Earned All-GLIAC honors…3-time GLIAC Offensive player of the Week…Completed 169-of-271 passes (62.3%) for 2,130 yards and 26 TDs…Rushed for 559 yards and seven TDs on 87 carries…Accounted for 2,689 yards and 33 TDs.
 
Defensive Skill Player of the Year – Abe Swanson, So., LB
First-Team All-GLIAC and Second-Team CCA All-Super Region 3…GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week…Second in the GLIAC with 104 total tackles…Recorded 8.0 TFL and 3.0 QB sacks, five PBUs, one interception (returned 45 yards for a TD).
 
Offensive Skill Player of the Year – Hunter Rison, Jr., WR
First-Team All-GLIAC…Led squad with 38 catches for 516 yards and six TDs...Averaged 13.5 yards per catch.
 
Offensive Lineman of the Year – Quinton Barrow, So., OT
First-Team All-GLIAC…Second-Team CCA All-Super Region 3…Started all 12 games for the Lakers at left tackle and graded out at 92 percent on the year.
 
Defensive Player of the Year – Jake Hlava, Sr., DE and Dennis Johnson, Sr., DT
Jake Hlava – Earned First-Team All-GLIAC honors…Tallied 33 tackles, a team-best 10.5 TFL (-38) and 3.5 QB sacks (-26)… Played a key role on a defense that ranked among the national leaders.
 
Dennis Johnson – All-GLIAC honoree…Recorded 14 tackles, 2.0 TFL (-4) and a team-best 10 QB hurries… Played a key role on a defense that ranked among the national leaders.
 
Special Teams Player of the Year – Kyle Nott, Fr., WR
Led team in special teams tackles with 14…Blocked a punt…Caught six passes for 107 yards (17.8 ypc) and two TDs…Rushed one time for 32 yards. 
 
Offensive Most Improved Player – Jordan Davis, So., OT
Played a key role on an offensive line that started four sophomores and led an offense that ranked among the national leaders. 
 
Defensive Most Improved Player – Seth Hoonhorst, So., DT
Recorded 37 total tackles…Notched 5.5 TFL (-9), 1.0 QB sack (-1) and five QB hurries…Played a key role on a defense that ranked among the national leaders.
 
Defensive Scout Team Player – Terez Reid, Fr., CB
Selected by the GVSU offense
Offensive Scout Team Player – Jordan Johnson, Fr., WR
Selected by the GVSU defense
 
Philip Schulze Dedication Award – 2021 Seniors – Tory Lewis, CB; Juwan Johnson, WR; Allante Leapeart, CB; Jake Hlava, DE; Bryce Young-Walls, Antonio Crosby, LB; RB; Grant Dempster, TE; Xavier Washington, DE; Ethan Culberson, OC; Dennis Johnson, DT
 
This senior class led Grand Valley State through an unprecedented time in college football with the cancellation of the 2020 season. They led a group for 24 months that faced adversity both on and off the field with unmatched character and resolve.