KINGSTON -- A legacy-building year continued for third-year Bisons left guard Giordano Vaccaro, who was named the JP Metras Award winner on Thursday night as the Lineman of the Year in U SPORTS. He's the fifth Bison overall to win the award, and first since 2015, when David Onyemata took home the honours.

Vaccaro is also just the second offensive lineman in school history to earn the Metras, and first since Bart Evans in 1974.

Vaccaro, alongside fellow offensive line all-stars Sean Rowe (left tackle) and Mark Rauhaus (centre) helped the Herd set a school record, with 2,016 rushing yards in 2024, which also led the nation. That total broke a 29-year school best by 168 yards. The trio have helped Manitoba rush for over 200 yards ten times over the last two years.

Vaccaro hasn't missed a start in his three seasons at Manitoba. He became the first Bison in head coach Brian Dobie's 29-year tenure to start at left tackle as an 18-year-old true freshman in 2022, and he's started at left guard each of the last two seasons.

Vaccaro was named a unanimous all-star selection, and became the first Bison offensive lineman to earn back-to-back Canada West All-Star and First Team All-Canadian nods since Chris Bochen in 2001 and 2002.

"I can't say enough about the person Gio is, and the impact that he has had on our group and our offence as a whole," said positional coach Jeff Ready.

"He is the perfect example for our young players and helps set the standard for what our group needs to be in order to have seasons like we had. To say I'm proud is an understatement. I have had the privilidge to see how growth firsthand and I can't wait to see what he can accomplish next!"