Edward Vesterinen’s Selection as the Best American Football Player of 2025 by the Sports Journalists’ Association
Edward Vesterinen, who played his final season at West Virginia University, has been selected by the Sports Journalists’ Association as the Finnish American football player of the year for 2025. This year, sports journalists chose the best in 86 different sports.
Edward from West Virginia played his last season of college football in the fall of 2025. He played for the Mountaineers team from the 2021 season, participating in a total of 47 games, starting in 28 of them. The 2024 season was mostly missed by the Finnish defender due to injury, but he returned to his position at the center of the defensive line for the 2025 season, bringing experience and leadership to the position.
Vesterinen rose to the top of the all-time tackle statistics for Finnish players in NCAA Division I FBS, and a new career record is now set at 77 (28+49).
Next on Vesterinen’s American football career is the Pro Day testing event in March, where he will have the opportunity to showcase his skills to NFL team scouts.
Sports Journalists’ Association Selections 2001–2025
The Sports Journalists’ Association has named its selections for American football player of the year since 2001. The most selections have been made by defensive lineman Chris Mulumba, who has received the honor three times (2017, 2018, 2021). Edward Vesterinen is now the 25th best American football player chosen by sports journalists.
| Year | First Name | Last Name | Position | Team |
| 2025 | Edward | Vesterinen | DL | West Virginia University |
| 2024 | Aleksi | Pulkkinen | P | University of South Alabama |
| 2023 | Olaus | Alinen | OL | University of Alabama |
| 2022 | Olaus | Alinen | OL | Loomis Chaffee Pelicans |
| 2021 | Chris | Mulumba | DL | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| 2020 | Tino | Ndongo | WR | Kuopio Steelers |
| 2019 | Miro | Kadmiry | QB | Helsinki Roosters |
| 2018 | Chris | Mulumba | DL | Helsinki Roosters, University of Colorado |
| 2017 | Chris | Mulumba | DL | Helsinki Roosters, University of Colorado |
| 2016 | Aleksi | Aitala | DL | Helsinki Roosters |
| 2015 | Tyler | Varga | RB | NFL Indianapolis Colts |
| 2014 | Tommi | Pinta | TE | Braunschweig Lions |
| 2013 | Max | Ehlert | LB | Helsinki Roosters, University of Nevada Las Vegas |
| 2012 | Max | Ehlert | LB | Helsinki Roosters, University of Nevada Las Vegas |
| 2011 | Efe | Evwaraye | LB | Vaasa Vikings |
| 2010 | Efe | Evwaraye | LB | Vaasa Vikings |
| 2009 | Henri | Myöhänen | WR | Helsinki Roosters |
| 2008 | Markus | Haverinen | RB | Porvoo Butchers |
| 2007 | Seppo | Evwaraye | OL | NFL Europe Cologne Centurions, Minnesota Vikings |
| 2006 | Michael | Quarshie | DL | NFL Oakland Raiders |
| 2005 | Michael | Quarshie | DL | NFL Oakland Raiders |
| 2004 | Petrus | Penkki | QB | Helsinki Roosters |
| 2003 | Eero | Heinonen | RB | Helsinki Roosters, Frankfurt Galaxy NFL Europe |
| 2002 | Seppo | Evwaraye | OL | Vaasa Vikings, University of Nebraska |
| 2001 | Petrus | Penkki | QB | Helsinki Roosters |
The best athletes in each sport are selected by the Athlete of the Year committee appointed by the Sports Journalists’ Association. This is not a vote, but a selection.
Photo by: Mountaineers / All pro photography, Dale Starks