Candidates

Investing In Others

We are proud to shine a light on these inspiring student athletes who prioritize service to others while accomplishing incredible feats on the field and in the classroom during their college years.

Wuerffel Trophy nominees have a common thread, they strive for greatness in community, academics and athletics, but continue to remain humble.

Sports Information Directors representing all major FBS conferences proudly nominate these unique leaders in the fall.

Congratulations to the 2021 finalists, including 2021 Wuerffel Trophy recipient, Isaiah Sanders of Stanford University. To take a spin through our previous nominees, semi-finalists, and watch list submissions, please scroll.

2021 Wuerffel Trophy Finalists

NAKOBE DEAN

University of Georgia
Junior, linebacker

Isaiah Sanders

Stanford University
Senior, quarterback

Patrick Fields

University of Oklahoma
Senior, defensive back

"It’s inspiring. It’s all about the nominees, the great work they are doing for others each and every day, using their platform to positively impact the world.”

Danny Wuerffel

Past Nominees

2021 Nominees

2020 Nominees

2019 Nominees

2018 Nominees

2017 Nominees

2016 Nominees

2015 Nominees

2014 Nominees

2013 Nominees

2012 Nominees

2011 Nominees

2010 Nominees

2009 Nominees

2008 Nominees

2007 Nominees

2006 Nominees

2005 Nominees

Past SemiFinalists

2019 Semi Finalists

A.J. Coney, Akron, Senior, WR

Zach Guiser, Akron, Senior, DB

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama, Junior, DB

Taylor Lamb, Appalachian State, Senior, QB

Jacob Alsadek, Arizona, Senior, OL

Tashon Smallwood, Arizona State, Senior, DL

Frank Ragnow, Arkansas, Senior, OL

Blaise Taylor, Arkansas State, Senior, DB/ST

Daniel Carlson, Auburn, Senior, PK

Vinnie Palazeti, Ball State, Senior, OL

Taylor Young, Baylor, Senior, LB

Brett Rypien, Boise State, Junior, QB

Fred Warner, BYU, Senior, LB

Raymond Davison, California, Senior, DL

Joe Ostman, Central Michigan, Senior, DL

Christian Wilkins, Clemson, Junior, DL

Derek McCartney, Colorado, Senior, LB

Zack Golditch, Colorado State, Senior, OL

Gabe Brandner, Duke, Senior, OL

Davon Grayson, East Carolina, Senior, WR

Jeremiah Harris, Eastern Michigan, Junior, DL

T.J. McCoy, Florida, Sophomore, OL

Greg Joseph, Florida Atlantic, Senior, PK

Alec Eberle, Florida State, Junior, OL

Jeb Blazevich, Georgia, Senior, TE

Aaron Davis, Georgia, Senior, DB

KeShun Freeman, Georgia Tech, Senior, DL

Noah Borden, Hawaii, Junior, LS/ST

Steven Dunbar, Houston, Senior, WR

Rashard Fant, Indiana, Senior, DB

Kayden Elliss, Idaho, Junior, LB

Josey Jewell, Iowa, Senior, LB

Jake Campos, Iowa State, Senior, OL

Joe Dineen, Jr., Kansas, Junior, LB

Dalton Risner, Kansas State, Junior, OL

Matt Bahr, Kent State, Junior, LB

Courtney Love, Kentucky, Senior, LB

Grant Horst, Louisiana, Senior, OL

Boston Scott, Louisiana Tech, Senior, RB

Lamar Jackson, Louisville, Junior, QB

Danny Etling, LSU, Senior, QB

Ryan Yurachek, Marshall, Senior, TE

Adam Greene, Maryland, Senior, PK

Spencer Smith, Memphis, Senior, P

Demetrius Jackson, Miami, Junior, DL

Shaquille Quaterman, Miami, Sophomore, LB

James Gardner, Miami (Ohio), Junior, WR

Brent Stockstill, Middle Tennessee, Sophomore, QB

Ryan Santoso, Minnesota, Senior P

Gabe Myles, Mississippi State, Senior, WR

Corey Fatony, Missouri, Junior, P

Andrew Wood, Navy, Junior, OL

Drew Brown, Nebraska, Senior, PK

Austin Corbett, Nevada, Senior, OL

Max Scharping, NIU, Junior, OL

Austin Proehl, North Carolina, Senior, WR

A.J. Cole III, North Carolina State, Junior, P

Andy Flusche, North Texas, Senior, DL

Max Scharping, Northern Illinios, Junior, OL

Justin Jackson, Northwestern, Senior, RB

Tyler Newsome, Notre Dame, Senior, P

Drue Tranquill, Notre Dame, Senior, DB

Nic Weishar, Notre Dame, Senior, TE

Tracy Sprinkle, Ohio State, Senior, DL

Nick Basquine, Oklahoma, Junior, WR

Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State, Senior, QB

Josh Marriner, Old Dominion, Senior, RB

Javon Patterson, Ole Miss, Junior, OL

Juwaan Williams, Oregon, Senior, DB

Marcus McMaryion, Oregon State, Junior, QB

Trace McSorley, Penn State, Junior, QB

Brian O’Neill, Pitt, Junior, OL

David Blough, Purdue, Junior, QB

David Wells, San Diego State, Senior, TE

Nate Velichko, San Jose State, Senior, OL

Justin Lawler, SMU, Senior, DL

Tre Alford, South Alabama, Senior, DL

Antoine Wilder, South Carolina, Sophomore, LB

Harrison Phillips, Stanford, Senior, DL

Zack Mahoney, Syracuse, Senior, QB

Shaun Nixon, TCU, Junior, WR

Keith Kirkwood, Temple, Senior, WR

Todd Kelly, Jr., Tennessee, Senior, DB

Koda Martin, Texas A&M, Junior, OL

Gabe Schrade, Texas State, Senior, TE

Gabe Lloyd, Texas State, Senior, LB

James Sherman, Texas State, Junior, PK/P

Tyler Watts, Texas State, Junior, WR

Tryston Mizerak, Texas State, Senior, OL

Cody Thompson, Toledo, Senior, WR

Seth Calloway, Troy, Senior, DL

Parry Nickerson, Tulane, Senior, DB

Willie Wright, Tulsa, Junior, OL

Shaquem Griffin, UCF, Senior, LB

Kenny Young, UCLA, Senior, LB

Folorunso Fatukasi, UConn, Senior, DL

Adam Breneman, UMass, Senior, TE

Nico Falah, USC, Senior, OL

Auggie Sanchez, USF, Senior, LB

Chase Hansen, Utah, Junior, DB

Dallin Leavitt, Utah State, Senior, DB

Ryan Metz, UTEP, Junior, QB

Marcus Davenport, UTSA, Senior, DL

Tommy Openshaw, Vanderbilt, Senior, PK

Quin Blanding, Virginia, Senior, DB

Joey Slye, Virginia Tech, Senior, RB

Wendall Dunn, Wake Forest, Senior, DL

Azeem Victor, Washington, Senior, LB

Peyton Pelluer, Washington State, Senior, LB

Rob Dowdy, West Virginia, Sophomore, OL

Mike White, Western Kentucky, Senior, QB

Jamauri Bogan, Western Michigan, Junior, RB

2018 Semi Finalists

Brett Rypien, Boise State University, senior, quarterback

Marcus McMaryion, Fresno State University, senior, quarterback

Dalton Risner, Kansas State University, senior, offensive line

Matt Bahr, Kent State University, senior, linebacker

A.J. Cole, III, North Carolina State University, senior, punter

Max Scharping, Northern Illinois University, senior, offensive line

David Blough, Purdue University, senior, quarterback

Bryce Crawford, San Jose State University, senior, punter/kicker

Kielan Whitner, Syracuse University, senior, linebacker

Noah Borden, University of Hawaii, senior, long snapper

Drue Tranquill, University of Notre Dame, senior, linebacker

D’Cota Dixon, University of Wisconsin, senior, defensive back

2017 Semi Finalists

Blaise Taylor, Arkansas State University, senior, defensive back

Daniel Carlson, Auburn University, senior, kicker

Gabe Brandner, Duke University, senior, offensive line

Brent Stockstill, Middle Tennessee State University, junior, quarterback

A.J. Cole, III, North Carolina State University, junior, punter

Harrison Phillips, Stanford University, senior, defensive line

Frank Ragnow, University of Arkansas, senior, offensive line

Courtney Love, University of Kentucky, senior, linebacker

Drue Tranquill, University of Notre Dame, senior, linebacker

Brian O’Neill, University of Pittsburgh, junior, offensive line

Tommy Openshaw, Vanderbilt University, senior, kicker

2016 Semi Finalists

DeVon Edwards, Duke University, senior, defensive back

Josiah Price, Michigan State University, senior, tight end

Christian McCaffrey, Stanford University, junior, running back

Trevor Knight, Texas A&M University, senior, quarterback

Brooks Ellis, University of Arkansas, senior, linebacker

Jeb Blazevich, University of Georgia, junior, tight end

Garrett Adcock, University of New Mexico, senior, offensive line

Drue Tranquill, University of Notre Dame, junior, defensive back

Mike Caprara, University of Pittsburgh, senior, linebacker

Jeff Lindquist, University of Washington, senior, tight end

Zach Terrell, Western Michigan University, senior, quarterback

2015 Semi Finalists

Spencer Drango , Baylor University, senior, offensive line

Ross Martin, Duke University, senior, kicker

Nate Sudfeld, Indiana University, senior, quarterback

Landon Foster, University of Kentucky, senior, punter

Garrett Adcock, University of New Mexico, junior, offensive line

Corey Robinson, University of Notre Dame, junior, wide receiver

Ty Darlington, University of Oklahoma, senior, offensive line

Alex Zmolik, University of Toledo, senior, tight end

2014 Semi Finalists