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Record-breaking 197 student-athletes nominated for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

For the second year, Allstate and the Wuerffel Foundation spotlight college football’s most inspiring community service stories

NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 15, 2025-- Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association today announced a record-breaking 197 nominees for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, the highest in the award’s 34-year history. College football student-athletes and head coaches from all levels of the sport are recognized for their commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron.

“I’ve been a part of this team, and these players aren’t just showing up, they’re standing out,” said Sam Acho, ESPN analyst, former NFL linebacker, author and 2010 Good Works Team member and Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient. “Their commitment to service creates lasting change and inspires the next generation.”

Nominees’ service spans mental health to homelessness

This year’s nominees are tackling issues such as youth mentorship, mental wellness, homelessness and health care access. A few examples:

  • Charlie Pearson, Johns Hopkins, Offensive Line: A certified EMT who has responded to over 150 emergency calls while also mentoring youth, expanding access to nutritious food, and advocating for mental health and pediatric care.
  • Dylan Wheeler, Saint John’s University (MN), Wide Receiver: Raised over $25,000 for Folds of Honor and helped provide nearly 100,000 meals for children through donations and seasonal fundraisers.
  • Michael Taaffe, University of Texas, Defensive Back: FoundedTaaffe’s Tackles for Fentanyl Awareness in memory of a friend, turning personal loss into a movement for education and support statewide.
  • Sonny Styles, Ohio State, Linebacker: Raised over $43,000 through an annual Sleep Out to support at-risk and homeless youth in Central Ohio, providing essential items and year-round advocacy.
  • Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame, Offensive Line: Leads initiatives at Notre Dame focused on personal growth and career readiness, advocates for rare disease awareness as president of Notre Dame’s Uplifting Athletes chapter and builds connections through youth development programs.

Allstate and Wuerffel Foundation Elevate Impact

For the second year, Allstate is partnering with the Wuerffel Foundation to align two of college football’s most meaningful honors: the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. Together, they recognize student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in community service, academics and athletics.

“When nearly 200 young athletes choose to serve, it creates a ripple effect far beyond the game,” said Danny Wuerffel, former NFL quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer for whom the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is named. “Their leadership in the community is just as worthy of recognition as their performance on the field.”

Team Roster Named this Fall

The final roster of 23 award recipients announced in September will bring together:

  • 11 players from the NCAA FBS
  • 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
  • 1 honorary head coach

A voting panel of former Good Works Team members, head coaches and journalists select the team roster based on outstanding leadership on and off the field.

Meet the Full List of 2025 Nominees (alphabetically by college):

Football Bowl Subdivision (D-1)

Name

School

Ethan Johnson

Appalachian State University

Coben Bourguet

Arizona State University

Corey Rucker Jr.

Arkansas State University

Jeremiah Wright

Auburn University

Kiael Kelly

Ball State University

Sawyer Robertson

Baylor University

Marco Notarainni

Boise State University

Alex Broome

Boston College

Drew Pyne

Bowling Green State University

Tanner Wall

Brigham Young University

Michael Heldman

Central Michigan University

Adam Randall

Clemson University

Jayden Jackson

Coastal Carolina University

Chandler Rivers

Duke University

Marlon Gunn Jr.

East Carolina University

Jefferson Adam

Eastern Michigan University

Caden Veltkamp

Florida Atlantic University

Shamir Sterlin

Florida International University

Richie Leonard IV

Florida State University

Jordan Brown

Fresno State

Pichon Wimbley

Georgia Institute of Technology

Haynes King

Georgia Southern University

Fernando Mendoza

Indiana University Bloomington

Rocco Becht

Iowa State University

Blake Kendall

James Madison University

Damian Ilalio

Kansas State University

JeRico Washington, Jr.

Kennesaw State University

Mattheus Carroll

Kent State University

Elijah Auguste

Liberty University

Harold Perkins Jr.

Louisiana State University

Eli Finley

Louisiana Tech University

Toby Payne

Marshall University

Jordan Hall

Michigan State University

Nicholas Vattiato

Middle Tennessee State University

Jacoby Jackson

Mississippi State University

Allen Ortiz

New Mexico State University

Brandon Cleveland

North Carolina State University

Abiathar Curry

Northern Illinois University

Najee Story

Northwestern University

Koa Naotala

Old Dominion University

Dylan Black

Oregon State University

Cooper Cousins

Pennsylvania State University

Devin Mockobee

Purdue University

Plae Wyatt

Rice University

Jai Patel

Rutgers University

Taniela Latu

San Jose State University

Alexander Kilgore

Southern Methodist University

Sam Roush

Stanford University

Derek McDonald

Syracuse University

Willy Love

Temple University

Albert Regis

Texas A&M University

Paul Oyewale

Texas Christian University

Lincoln Pare

Texas State University

Behren Morton

Texas Tech University

Sonny Styles

The Ohio State University

Ty Thompson

Tulane University

Red Murdock

University at Buffalo

Keylen Davis

University of Akron

LT Overton

University of Alabama

Denver Warren

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Genesis Smith

University of Arizona

Cam Ball

University of Arkansas

Jeffery Johnson

University of California, Berkeley

Julian Armella

University of California, Los Angeles

Paul Rubelt

University of Central Florida

Gavin Gerhardt

University of Cincinnati

Charlie Offerdahl

University of Colorado Boulder

Jake Thaw

University of Delaware

DJ Lagway

University of Florida

Jordan Hall

University of Georgia

Logan Taylor

University of Hawaii

Kenenna Odeluga

University of Illinois

Gennings Dunker

University of Iowa

Leyton Cure

University of Kansas

Josh Kattus

University of Kentucky

Caden Jensen

University of Louisiana

Elijah Fisher

University of Louisiana at Monroe

Clev Lubin

University of Louisville

Ethan Gough

University of Maryland

Brock Taylor

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Donovan Mathena

University of Memphis

Francis Mauigoa

University of Miami

Anthony Smith

University of Minnesota

Diego Pounds

University of Mississippi

Connor Tollison

University of Missouri

Teddy Prochazka

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Cameron Friel

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Will Hardy

University of North Carolina

Braden Mullen

University of North Carolina, Charlotte

Landon Sides

University of North Texas

Aamil Wagner

University of Notre Dame

Robert Spears-Jennings

University of Oklahoma

Matthew Bedford

University of Oregon

Eli Holstein

University of Pittsburgh

Devin Voisin

University of South Alabama

Oscar Adaway III

University of South Carolina

Christian Helms

University of South Florida

Anthony Beavers Jr.

University of Southern California

Braylon Braxton

University of Southern Mississippi

Bryson Eason

University of Tennessee

Michael Taaffe

University of Texas

Tyron McDuffie III

University of Texas at El Paso

Camron Cooper

University of Texas at San Antonio

Matt Hofer

University of Toledo

Stephen Kittleman

University of Tulsa

Devon Dampier

University of Utah

Stevie Bracey

University of Virginia

Zach Durfee

University of Washington

Ricardo Hallman

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Evan Svoboda

University of Wyoming

Bronson Olevao Jr.

Utah State University

Tyson Flowers

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Zamari Stevenson

Wake Forest University

Zevi Eckhaus

Washington State University

Nicco Marchiol

West Virginia University

Marshall Jackson

Western Kentucky University

Tyson Lee

Western Michigan University

 

Combined Divisions (FSC, D-II, D-III & NAIA)

Name

School

Carter St. John

Alma College

Jaden Cook

Ashland University

Chandler Kirton

Austin Peay State University

Jackson Dooley

Benedictine College

Christian Lewis

Berry College

Devin Williams

Bethel University

Terian Williams II

Bucknell University

Mark Biggins

Campbell University

Mitchell Stokey

Carnegie Mellon University

Will Campbell

Carroll University

Jaylen Hinton

Catawba College

Nick Bandy

Central College

Mark Chapman

Columbia University

Adam Van Cleave

Concordia University, Nebraska

Cole Paulson

Dakota State University

Mikah Kent

Davidson College

Canyon Schneider

Denison University

Sean McTaggart

East Stroudsburg University

Nolan Ulm

Eastern Washington University

Carter Sido

Hampden-Sydney College

Ryan Osborne

Harvard University

Auvic White

Hendrix College

Connor Pratt

Hillsdale College

Isaiah Courtois

Indiana Wesleyan University

Owen Schuckert

John Carroll University

Charlie Pearson

Johns Hopkins University

Rene Barber

Marist University

Tristen Hall

McMurry University

Erick Hunter

Morgan State University

Lennx Brown

Morningside University

Bryson Ruddy

North Carolina A&T State University

Logan Kopp

North Dakota State University

Alani Ma'afu

Northern Arizona University

Massimo Vliet

Oberlin College

Louis Blasiole

Ohio Northern University

Josh Hurst

Ohio Wesleyan University

Evan Haynie

Princeton University

Dylan Wheeler

Saint John's University (Minn.)

Michael Henwood

Slippery Rock University

Adedokun Alarape

South Dakota Mines

DJ Brown

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Casey Cobb

Southern Arkansas University

Tyler Pohlman

Springfield College

Kasyus Kurns

Tarleton State University

Matthew Iwamizu

The College of Idaho

Donovon Jackson

The College of Wooster

Caleb Bayer

Trinity University

Hunter Ridley

UC Davis

Giovanni Kennedy

University of Mount Union

Simon Romfo

University of North Dakota

Levi Johnson

University of Northern Colorado

Will Bergin

University of Pennsylvania

Hayden Teeter

University of Puget Sound

Brian Catanzarite

University of Richmond

Traveon Newsome

University of the Incarnate Word

Chris Dobrydney

Villanova University

Fred Ware

Washington University in St. Louis

Dominic Rienzi

Western Connecticut State University

Dylan Sleva

Westminster College (Pa.)

Jalen Jones

William & Mary

Daylin Lee

Winston-Salem State University

Mario Getaw

Wittenberg University

Mason Shipp

Yale University

 

Head Coach

Name

School

Jeff Monken

Army West Point

Spencer Danielson

Boise State University

Jeff Lebby

Mississippi State University

Gary Fasching

Saint John’s University (Minn.)

Fran Brown

Syracuse University

Todd Whitten

Tarleton State University

K.C. Keeler

Temple University

Kris McCullough

The University of Texas Permian Basin

Kory Allen

University of Findlay

Willie Fritz

University of Houston

Bret Bielema

University of Illinois

Ryan Silverfield

University of Memphis

Brent Venables

University of Oklahoma

Shane Beamer

University of South Carolina

Alex Golesh

University of South Florida

Chris Winter

Wartburg College

 

About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season.

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads all conferences with 89 selections to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team since it began in 1992. The SEC is followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 55 selections and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 43 selections. Georgia is in first place with 24 honorees to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The Bulldogs are followed by Kentucky and Bethel (Minn.) with 18 honorees.

About the AFCA
The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 11,000 members around the world ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was formed, in part, to “maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession” and to “provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football.”

For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Request Form.

About the Wuerffel Foundation
 The Wuerffel Foundation is dedicated to supporting Danny Wuerffel’s mission to inspire greater service and unity in the world, built on the three values of excellence, service and humility. As a recognized humanitarian, Danny mentors community leaders and connects them with philanthropic resources. The foundation annually presents the prestigious Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football’s premier award for community service, and hosts the Desire Cup and PickleBowl events.

About the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, a member of the National College Football Awards Association, is college football’s premier award for community service. The trophy is presented annually by the Wuerffel Foundation to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership and performance on and off the field. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer, Danny Wuerffel, the award honors his commitment to inspiring greater service and unity in the world. Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the 1996 National Championship. As a humanitarian, he continues to inspire leaders to positively impact their communities. Danny currently serves as President of the Wuerffel Foundation and Executive Director of Desire Street Ministries. An avid pickleball player, he was drafted as a professional within the National Pickleball League and hosts celebrity pro-am “PickleBowl” tournaments.

Allstate Media Team
mediateam@allstate.com

Source: Allstate