Allstate and AFCA announce 2025 Good Works Team
Brent Venables Named Honorary Coach, Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalists Revealed
NORTHBROOK, Ill., September 16, 2025 — Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) today announced the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, honoring 22 college football players and one head coach for their extraordinary commitment to community service.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy and Good Works Team captain
For the second year, Allstate is partnering with the Wuerffel Foundation to unify two of college football’s most meaningful community service honors: the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.
This year’s team was selected from a record 195 nominees, submitted by college sports information directors and coaches nationwide, spotlighting student-athletes who lead with purpose, from fighting substance abuse to creating opportunities for youth and families.
Brent Venables, head coach at the University of Oklahoma, is this year’s honorary coach, recognized for transforming his program while championing service and leadership off the field.
Craig Bohl, AFCA executive director:
“Coach Venables is building a culture of excellence that extends beyond football. We congratulate him and these student-athletes for making the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.”
Meet the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
Selected by a voting panel of former Good Works Team members, head coaches and journalists, this year’s team includes:
- 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (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: Brent Venables, University of Oklahoma
The full team roster and their stories of community service can be found at ESPN.com/Allstate. Spotlight honorees include:
- Chandler Rivers, Duke University (CB): Hosts a summer camp for more than 200 kids in Texas, blending football with skills training and character-building.
- Michael Taaffe, University of Texas (DB): Founded “Taaffe’s Tackles for Fentanyl Awareness” in memory of his friend Jake Ehlinger, turning every tackle into a donation to Texas Against Fentanyl.
- Terian Williams II, Bucknell University (DB): Founded the “It Takes A Village Family Foundation” providing assistance to families in Atlanta, including Father’s Day events that offer free shoes, shirts and meals to dads experiencing homelessness.
- Nolan Ulm, Eastern Washington University (WR): Raised $23,000 for single mothers through Mamas for Mamas, contributing 100+ volunteer hours annually.
Danny Wuerffel, former NFL quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Famer and namesake of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy:
“Hearing the stories of service from these young men is truly incredible. From mentoring youth to supporting mental wellness, we’re excited to see which of these servant leaders will receive the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy this year.”
Tim Tebow, two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, 2009 Good Works Team member, 2008 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient:
“These young men are passionate leaders with hearts driven to serve others. It’s an honor to celebrate the many ways they make their communities better.”
Fans can vote at ESPN.com/Allstate through Nov. 10 for one of 11 FBS honorees who will be named the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient and serve as the Good Works Team captain, recognizing their leadership, performance, and impact off the field.
Past recipients of the Wuerffel Trophy include: Rudy Niswanger – LSU – 2005; Joel Penton – Ohio State – 2006; Paul Smith – Tulsa – 2007; Tim Tebow – Florida – 2008; Tim Hiller – Western Michigan – 2009; Sam Acho – Texas – 2010; Barrett Jones – Alabama – 2011; Matt Barkley – USC – 2012; Gabe Ikard – Oklahoma – 2013; Deterrian Shackelford – Ole Miss – 2014; Ty Darlington – Oklahoma – 2015; Trevor Knight – Texas A&M – 2016; Courtney Love – Kentucky – 2017; Drue Tranquill – Notre Dame – 2018; Jon Wassink – Western Michigan – 2019; Teton Saltes – New Mexico – 2020; Isaiah Sanders – Stanford – 2021; Dillan Gibbons – Florida State – 2022; Ladd McConkey – Georgia – 2023; and Nick Dawkins – 2024.
About the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, established in 2005, honors college football players who serve others, celebrates their impact, and inspire greater service in the world. A member of the National College Football Awards Association, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field. It is the first major award honoring the character of service to others.
The trophy is named after Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Famer, former NFL quarterback, and renowned humanitarian Danny Wuerffel, whose life mission is to inspire greater service in the world. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the Gators’ first National Football Championship as the team’s star quarterback. The 1996 Heisman Trophy winner set 17 NCAA and Florida records and won a myriad of other awards including the Maxwell Award, the Davey O’Brien Award, and The William V. Campbell Trophy, presented to the nation’s top scholar-athlete. As a nationally recognized humanitarian, Wuerffel inspires leaders to use their influence to make a positive impact and currently serves as President of the Wuerffel Foundation. The Trophy is also supported by corporate partners Dart Container Corporation/Solo Cup and Herff Jones.
About 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 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 91 selections to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team since it began in 1992. The SEC is followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 58 selections and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 45 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 19 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.
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