LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV senior football player Darren Palmer is one of five individuals and one program named as finalists for the 2018 Armed Forces Merit Award presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
 
This year's recipient will be announced just prior to Veteran's Day when Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Executive Director Brant Ringler and FWAA Executive Director Steve Richardson reveal the winner Thursday at 9 am PT.
 
Palmer, a 6-0, 200-pound native of Lithia Springs, Georgia, is a walk-on wide receiver who got his first taste of college football last season after previously spending nearly a decade serving in the military. Palmer, 28, joined the Rebels in 2017 through open tryouts during the offseason, which led to a roster spot during spring practice. He eventually saw action in 11 games last season as a receiver and on special teams, totaling 13 tackles, forcing one fumble and recovering another. This season Palmer has appeared in every game as a key contributor on special teams and heads into Saturday's contest against San Diego State with eight total tackles.
 
Born in Philadelphia, the 2009 graduate of Lithia Springs High School joined the USAF after graduation and rose to E-4 Senior Airman status during a four-year stint stationed in Alaska and then Hawaii that included a six-month deployment in the Arab kingdom of Jordan. He also spent three years in the Air Force National Guard before entering college, first earning his associate of arts degree from the College of Southern Nevada before transferring to UNLV. Palmer's father served in the Army, one of his sisters in the Marines and stepmother in the Air Force.
 
Other finalists for this year's award are Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun (USAF), Robert Morris University President Dr. Chris Howard (USAF), Texas Tech strength and conditioning coach Rusty Whitt (Army) and Shenandoah University wide receiver Casey Stewart (National Guard). The other finalist is Athletes of Valor, an organization that works with active-duty military and veterans to help them get recruited to college and play sports.
 
The Armed Forces Merit Award's selection committee is made up of five FWAA members and two representatives from the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. A total of 56 candidates were nominated for the 2018 award that was created in 2012 to honor an individual and/or a group with a military background and/or involvement that has an impact within the realm of college football.
 
Palmer and his Rebel teammates play at San Diego State Saturday starting at 7:30 p.m. PT. The game will be televised by ESPN2.
 
ALL-TIME RECPIENTS OF THE ARMED FORCES MERIT AWARD
2017 – Kansas State Football Team
2016 – Steven Rhodes, Middle Tennessee State
2015 – Bret Robertson, Westminster College
2014 – Daniel Rodriguez, Clemson
2013 – Brandon McCoy, North Texas
2012 – Nate Boyer, Texas