ATLANTA, Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wuerffel Foundation today announced 113 nominees for the 2026 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List. The award honors Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players who lead through community service while excelling in the classroom and on the field.
As college football's premier award for community service, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recognizes student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and make a positive impact in their communities. Named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy winner and former University of Florida quarterback, the award reflects his lifelong commitment to leadership, service and unity.
"It's an honor to recognize these student-athletes for the difference they are making in the lives of others," Wuerffel said. "Their commitment to service demonstrates the powerful impact college athletes can have both on and off the field."
Among the 113 nominees, the Big Ten leads all conferences with 18 nominees, followed by the ACC, SEC and Big 12 each with 15 nominees. The 2026 Watch List highlights student-athletes whose leadership and service extend far beyond the football field, including:
- Marcus Ratcliffe, Texas A&M University, Safety: Launched Mission 3:12 in partnership with Walk Among Heroes, donating $312 for every Aggie defensive turnover to fund educational trips to Normandy, France, for World War II veterans.
- Mudia Reuben, University of South Florida, Wide Receiver: Used Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) earnings to create the Nigerian Water Project, bringing access to clean water to villages and schools in Nigeria.
- Colin Simmons, University of Texas, Defensive End: Founded Clay's Color Crew, a nonprofit honoring his younger brother that supports individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in South Dallas and beyond.
- Edwin Spillman, University of Tennessee, Linebacker: Used NIL earnings to establish the Wan Famul Foundation to support people in his home country of Sierra Leone, including plans to build housing for families in need.
- Gideon Davidson, Clemson University, Running Back: Raised nearly $13,000 through Gid's Fundraiser for Flourish Adoption Ministries in South Carolina, helping fund adoption-related expenses for families and support for birth mothers.
- Noah Fifita, University of Arizona, Quarterback: Founded First Down Faith Foundation to honor faith, family and football while uplifting communities through service, including an annual youth football camp that combines skills training with mentorship.
- Jaylen McClain, Ohio State University, Defensive Back: Founded Everyday Legends Foundation to empower youth and families through service, including funding academic and athletic scholarships and organizing leadership development programs for youth.
For the third consecutive year, the Wuerffel Foundation is partnering with Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) to unite college football's top community service honors through the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. In September, 11 student-athletes from the Watch List will be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and become semifinalists for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists will be selected by the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy National Selection Committee, with input from a fan vote. The 2026 recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on December 11, and also serve as captain of the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
The 2026 recipient and finalists will join Wuerffel in New York City for the Heisman Trophy events, including the Wuerffel Foundation's Picklebowl: Heisman Edition. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will follow in February 2027 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
2026 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Name
School
Colton Phares Appalachian State University
Zyrus Fiaseu Arizona State University
Chauncy Cobb Arkansas State University
Alex McPherson
Auburn University
Caden Britton
Ball State University
Michael Allen
Baylor University
Maddux Madsen
Boise State University
Josiah Griffin
Boston College
Raider Damuni Brigham Young University
Derek Houston California State University,
Sacramento
Angel Flores Central Michigan University
Gideon Davidson
Clemson University
Micah Sahakian
Duke University
Karson Jones East Carolina University
Dennis Strey Jr. Eastern Michigan University
Reed Chandley Florida Atlantic University
Shamir Sterlin Florida International University
Duce Robinson Florida State University
Merhauti Xepera
Fresno State University
Jordan Walker Georgia Institute of Technology
Colin Alexander Georgia Southern University
Charlie Becker
Indiana University
Jaylen Raynor
Iowa State University
KJ Flowe James Madison University
Joe Jackson
Kansas State University
Wayne Harris
Kent State University
Jaylin Belford
Liberty University
Whit Weeks Louisiana State University
Eli Finley Louisiana Tech University
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson
Marshall University
Jordan Hall Michigan State University
Cam'ron Lacy Middle Tennessee State
University
DJ Chester Mississippi State University
Isaiah Shirley North Carolina State University
DeAree Rogers Northern Illinois University
Josh Fussell
Northwestern University
Nick Session New Mexico State University
Jaylen McClain
Ohio State University
DJ Walker
Ohio University
Donovan Green Oklahoma State University
Koa Naotala
Old Dominion University
Karson Boschma
Oregon State University
Cooper Cousins Pennsylvania State University
CJ Madden
Purdue University
Quinton Jackson
Rice University
Michael O'Connor
Rutgers University
Tyler Chen San José State University
Alexander Kilgore Southern Methodist University
Braden Marceau-Olayinka
Stanford University
Cornell Perry
Syracuse University
Ansel Din-Mbuh Texas Christian University
Rameir Hardy
Temple University
Marcus Ratcliffe
Texas A&M University
Brad Jackson
Texas State University
Ben Roberts
Texas Tech University
Tucker Kilcrease
Troy University
Jackson Courville
Tulane University
Stevie Bracey
University at Buffalo
Bray Hubbard
University of Alabama
Adam Lepkowski University of Alabama at
Birmingham
Noah Fifita
University of Arizona
Jaden Platt
University of Arkansas
Jordan King University of California,
Berkeley
Halakilangi Muagututi'a University of California, Los
Angeles
Owen Spell University of Central Florida
Evan Tengesdahl University of Cincinnati
Ben Finneseth University of Colorado Boulder
Steven Demboski
University of Delaware
Myles Graham
University of Florida
Lawson Luckie
University of Georgia
Micah Kaonohi-Kaihenui
University of Hawaii
McKenzie Agnello
University of Houston
Brandon Henderson
University of Illinois
Jayden Montgomery
University of Iowa
Calvin Clements
University of Kansas
Willie Rodriguez
University of Kentucky
Caden Jensen University of Louisiana at
Lafayette
Drew Hutchinson University of Louisiana at
Monroe
Clev Lubin University of Louisville
Malik Washington
University of Maryland
Riley Bloch University of Massachusetts
Donovan Mathena
University of Memphis
Ahmad Moten Sr.
University of Miami
Jordan Marshall
University of Michigan
Anthony Smith
University of Minnesota
Blake Craig
University of Missouri
Donovan Jones
University of Nebraska
Ky Woods
University of Nevada
Alex Orji University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Jaxton Eck University of New Mexico
Caleb Irving University of North Carolina at
Charlotte
Jordan Shipp University of North Carolina
Leonard Moore University of Notre Dame
Danny Okoye
University of Oklahoma
Dante Moore
University of Oregon
Mason Heintschel University of Pittsburgh
Baxter Turner University of South Alabama
Nyck Harbor University of South Carolina
Mudia Reuben University of South Florida
Jayden Maiava University of Southern
California
Edwin Spillman
University of Tennessee
Colin Simmons
University of Texas
Bryce Grays University of Texas at San
Antonio
Matt Hofer
University of Toledo
Lance Holtzclaw
University of Utah
Ethan Minter
University of Virginia
Landen Hatchett University of Washington
Chris Brooks Jr. University of Wisconsin-Madison
Tyler Hughes
University of Wyoming
Javen Jacobs
Utah State University
Nick Rinaldi
Vanderbilt University
Marcellous Hawkins
Virginia Tech
Dakari Frazier Western Michigan University
Past recipients of the Wuerffel Trophy include Rudy Niswanger - Louisiana State University - 2005; Joel Penton - Ohio State University - 2006; Paul Smith - University of Tulsa - 2007; Tim Tebow - University of Florida - 2008; Tim Hiller - Western Michigan University - 2009; Sam Acho - University of Texas - 2010; Barrett Jones - University of Alabama - 2011; Matt Barkley - University of Southern California - 2012; Gabe Ikard - University of Oklahoma - 2013; Deterrian Shackelford - University of Mississippi - 2014; Ty Darlington - University of Oklahoma - 2015; Trevor Knight - Texas A&M University - 2016; Courtney Love - University of Kentucky- 2017; Drue Tranquill - University of Notre Dame - 2018; Jon Wassink -Western Michigan University - 2019; Teton Saltes - University of New Mexico - 2020; Isaiah Sanders - Stanford University - 2021; Dillan Gibbons - Florida State University - 2022; Ladd McConkey - University of Georgia - 2023; Nick Dawkins - Pennsylvania State University - 2024; and Michael Taaffe - University of Texas - 2025.
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 22nd 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.
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.
About the NCFAA
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. The NCFAA's 25 awards have honored nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA and Instagram @TheNCFAA.
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SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company
Wuerffel Trophy Contact, Shailey Klein - Program Manager, Wuerffel Foundation, sk@wuerffelfoundation.org