Stanton Weber Named to AFCA’s “35 Under 35 Leadership Institute”

TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo Special Teams Coordinator Stanton Weber has been named to the American Football Coaches Association’s (AFCA) 2025 “35 Under 35 Leadership Institute,” the association announced this week.

Weber, in his second year with the Rockets, has led a special teams unit this season that has made its mark in almost every area:

    • Punt returner Bryson Hammer leads the MAC and is fourth in the country with an 14.6 punt return average. 

    • Toledo is averaging 24.2 yards per kick return this season, which is second in the MAC and 21st in the nation. Jacquez Stuart is averaging 32.5 yards per return on 12 attempts, including a 98-yard TD vs. UMass. That figure would be second in the country but Stuart does not have enough attempts to qualify.

    • Of Emilio Duran’s 55 punts, 37 have either been fair caught or downed inside the 20-yard line.

    • Toledo is 3-of-3 in recovering on-side kicks this season.

    • Toledo has blocked one punt and one field goal, and has not had any kicks blocked.

    • Freshman placekicker Dylan Cunanan boomed a 54-yard field goal vs. BGSU on Oct. 26, the second-longest field goal in Toledo history. He has also made 36-of-36 extra points.

The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute is a prestigious program aimed at identifying and developing premier future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute which features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance. 

In addition, Weber was also recently named one of five national finalists for “Special Teams Coordinator of the Year” by Football Scoop. 

Toledo will play in the GameAbove Sports Bowl vs. Pittsburgh at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Dec. 26. Tickets are on sale now at UTRockets.com/bowltix, by phone at 419-530-GOLD (4653) or at the Rocket Ticket Office in Savage Arena during normal business hours.