Allstate, American Football Coaches Association Announce 146 Nominees for 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®
College football's top community service honor awards student-athletes for their outstanding community service achievements and commitment to giving back
NORTHBROOK, Ill., July 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) today announced 146 nominees for the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, one of the most prestigious off-the-field honors in college football.
Since 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® has brought together a select group of college football players from across the country to honor their dedication to volunteerism and enriching the lives of others. While players are often recognized for their accomplishments and achievements on game day, these student-athletes have made significant contributions to the greater good of society, inspiring future generations of young athletes and the larger college football community.
"Allstate is immensely honored to partner with the AFCA for the 10th year to help pay tribute to these players and their off-the-field 'good works' that often go unnoticed and unrewarded," said Thomas Clarkson, president of the west territory for Allstate Insurance Company and a member of the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® voting panel. "The individuals nominated to the 2017 Good Works Team® are making a positive impact and uniting communities across the country through service, showing what's possible when you put all hands in and give back."
The student-athletes nominated for this esteemed award embody the true spirit of teamwork and selflessness, donating their limited free time to helping and serving others. From founding a non-profit that helps orphans secure jobs in the workforce to raising funds and awareness for childhood cancer research, the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® nominees may wear different jerseys on the field, but they all exemplify a superior commitment to giving back off of it.
"After looking at the bios of the 146 nominees we received for 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, it really shows that there are great football student-athletes all over this country who just don't care what happens between the sidelines, but they also care about their community and giving back to others," Todd Berry, AFCA Executive Director said. "The AFCA has been proud to partner with Allstate these past 10 years to honor football players who give more of themselves to help others in need."
Comprised of 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA, the final roster of 22 award recipients will be unveiled in September. From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® members and prominent college football media members will select the 2017 Good Works Team®. Two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner and 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® member Tim Tebow will headline the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® voting panel.
"I'm so thankful to be part of a team that represents excellence on the field and in the classroom, but more importantly, places the highest value on changing people's lives in our communities and around the world," says Tebow.
In addition to Tebow and Clarkson, the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® selection panel members includes: former Good Works Team® members Zaid Abdul-Aleem (Duke, 1994 team), Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1997, 1998 teams), Brian Brenberg (St. Thomas, 2001 team), Mike Proman (Amherst, 2002 team) and Wes Counts (Middle Tennessee State, 1999 team); media members Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN), Blair Kerkhoff (Kansas City Star) and Paul Myerberg (USA TODAY); current AFCA President and University of Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez; 2001 AFCA President and current athletic director at Virginia Union University Joe Taylor.
Once the final team members are announced in September, college football fans are encouraged to visit the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® website on ESPN.com, featuring profiles and images of the players, for the opportunity to vote for the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® Captain. Throughout the season, fans can also follow along and join in on the conversation by searching and using #GoodWorksTeam on their social media channels.
In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and the AFCA, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing.
The following players have been nominated for consideration to be named to the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®.
| Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) |
|
| Arizona State University – Tashon Smallwood |
University of Arkansas – Frank Ragnow |
| Arkansas State University – Blaise Taylor |
University of California, Berkeley – Raymond Davison |
| Auburn University – Daniel Carlson |
University of Central Florida – Shaquem Griffin |
| Baylor University – Taylor Young |
University of Connecticut – Vontae Diggs |
| Boise State University – Brett Rypien |
University of Georgia – Aaron Davis |
| Bowling Green State University – Nate Locke |
University of Houston – Steven Dunbar |
| Brigham Young University – Fred Warner |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Nick Allegretti |
| Clemson University – Christian Wilkins |
University of Kansas – Joe Dineen, Jr |
| Colorado State University – Zack Golditch |
University of Kentucky – Courtney Love |
| Duke University – Gabe Brandner |
University of Louisiana at Lafayette – Grant Horst |
| East Carolina University – Jimmy Williams |
University of Louisville – Lamar Jackson |
| Florida State University – Mavin Saunders |
University of Maryland, College Park – Adam Greene |
| Georgia Institute of Technology – Matthew Jordan |
University of Memphis – Spencer Smith |
| Georgia Southern University – Myles Campbell |
University of Miami – Demetrius Jackson |
| Indiana University – Rashard Fant |
University of Minnesota – Eric Carter |
| Kansas State University – Dalton Risner |
University of Mississippi – Javon Patterson |
| Louisiana State University – Danny Etling |
University of Missouri – Corey Fatony |
| Marshall University – Ryan Yurachek |
University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Chris Weber |
| Middle Tennessee State University – Brent Stockstill |
University of Nevada, Reno – Austin Corbett |
| Mississippi State University – Gabe Myles |
University of North Carolina – Austin Proehl |
| North Carolina State University – A.J. Cole, III |
University of Notre Dame – Tyler Newsome |
| Northwestern University – Justin Jackson |
University of Oklahoma – Nick Basquine |
| Ohio State University – J.T. Barrett |
University of Pittsburgh – Brian O'Neill |
| Oklahoma State University – Mason Rudolph |
University of South Alabama – Tre Alford |
| Old Dominion University – Josh Marriner |
University of Southern California – Jordan Austin |
| Pennsylvania State University – Brandon Smith |
University of Tennessee – Todd Kelly, Jr |
| Rutgers University – Sebastian Joseph |
University of Texas – Naashon Hughes |
| San Jose State University – Nate Velichko |
University of Texas at El Paso – Ryan Metz |
| Southern Methodist University – Justin Lawler |
University of Toledo – Cody Thompson |
| Stanford University – Harrison Phillips |
University of Tulsa – Willie Wright |
| Syracuse University – Zack Mahoney |
University of Utah – Chase Hansen |
| TCU – Shaun Nixon |
University of Virginia – Quin Blanding |
| Texas A&M University – Koda Martin |
University of Wisconsin-Madison – Derrick Tindal |
| Texas State University – Gabe Schrade |
Utah State University – Jontrell Rocquemore |
| Tulane University – Parry Nickerson |
Vanderbilt University – Tommy Openshaw |
| University of California, Los Angeles – Kenny Young |
Virginia Tech – Joey Slye |
| University of Alabama – Minkah Fitzpatrick |
West Virginia University – Rob Dowdy |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham – Shaq Jones |
Western Kentucky University – Marcus Ward |
| Combined Divisions (FCS, II, III & NAIA) |
|
| Amherst College – Reece Foy |
Moravian College – Nick Zambelli |
| Aurora University – Kurtis Chione |
Murray State University – Zach Shipley |
| Berry College – Michael Wenclawiak |
Norfolk State University – Kyle Archie |
| Bethel University (Minn.) – Josh Dalki |
North Greenville University – Johnny Burch |
| Butler University – Isaak Newhouse |
Northwestern College (Iowa) – Jacob Jenness |
| Carnegie Mellon University – Sam Benger |
Notre Dame College – Justin Adamson |
| Carson-Newman University – Antonio Wimbush |
Ohio Dominican University – Austin Ernst |
| Chadron State College – Steven Allen |
Ohio Wesleyan University – Jerry Harper |
| Chapman University – Diano Pachote |
Peru State College – Gunnar Orcutt |
| Colorado State University-Pueblo – Zach Boyd |
Princeton University – Kurt Holuba |
| Dakota State University – Jacob Giles |
Saint Augustine's University – Justin Shaw |
| Davidson College – Ryan Samuels |
Saint John's University (Minn.) – Will Gillach |
| East Stroudsburg University – Larry Mills |
Samford University – Deion Pierre |
| Eastern Kentucky University – Jeffrey Canady |
South Dakota State University – Jake Wieneke |
| Edinboro University – Ryan Stratton |
Southern Arkansas University – Stacy Lawrence |
| Ferris State University – Jake Daugherty |
Southwestern Assemblies of God University – Stephen Lawson |
| Fordham University – Manny Adeyeye |
Stephen F. Austin State University – Marlon Walls |
| Franklin & Marshall College – Tyler Schubert |
Stonehill College – Jermel Wright |
| Frostburg State University – Jordan Procter |
Susquehanna University – Tommy Bluj |
| Georgetown College (Ky.) – Kody Kasey |
Texas A&M University-Commerce – Luis Perez |
| Grinnell College – Carson Dunn |
The Catholic University of America – Patrick Vidal |
| Harding University – Gavin De Los Santos |
The College of Wooster – Patrick Mohorcic |
| Hillsdale College – Danny Drummond |
University of Chicago – Chandler Carroll |
| James Madison University – Jonathan Kloosterman |
University of Mount Union – Alex Louthan |
| Kalamazoo College – David Vanderkloot |
University of Puget Sound – Dwight Jackson |
| Kennesaw State University – Luther Jones |
University of Saint Mary – Kyle Dougherty |
| Liberty University – Trey Turner |
University of St. Thomas (Minn.) – Matt Christenson |
| Manchester University – Jared Bourff |
University of South Dakota – Stetson Dagel |
| Marist College – Lawrence Dickens |
Wartburg College – Matt Sacia |
| Mercer University – Thomas Marchman |
Wayne State University (Mich.) – Deiontae Nicholas |
| Michigan Technological University – Cayman Berg-Morales |
West Texas A&M University – Dillon Vaughan |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania – Kevin Wiggins |
Western Carolina University – Keion Crossen |
| Minot State University – Logan Gunderson |
Western New England University – Garrett Jones |
| Mississippi College – Chris Manning |
Wingate University – Lawrence Pittman |
| Montana State University – Mitchell Herbert |
Youngstown State University – Armand Dellovade |
About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16 million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Other growth platforms include predictive analytics company Arity and consumer-product protection plan company SquareTrade. Allstate is widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®." Allstate agencies are in virtually every local community in America. In 2016, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners gave $42 million to support local communities.
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 SEC leads all conferences with 67 selections to the Good Works Team since it began in 1992. The SEC is followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 34 selections and the Big 12 Conference with 30 selections. Georgia is in first place with 17 honorees to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. ® The Bulldogs are followed by Nebraska with 14 honorees. Super Bowl XLII, XLVI and XLI champion quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning were members of the 2002 and 1997 Good Works Teams®, respectively.
About AFCA
The 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."
SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company
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