FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
93 players receive consideration for award honoring college football’s top community servant
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – July 29, 2021 – The Wuerffel Trophy, College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service, today announced its watch list of 93 players from college football’s Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from the University of Florida, Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented in February annually in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The trophy exists to honor college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society, and inspire greater service in the world.
Notable returnees to the Watch List include 2020 semifinalists Michael Saffell (University of California), Mac Brown (University of Mississippi) and Mike Caliendo (Western Michigan University), along with Isaiah Sanders (Stanford University) who was a 2019 finalist at the United States Air Force Academy. For a full look at the 2021 Wuerffel Trophy Preseason Watch List by university (AP format), please see below. For the 2021 Watch List in traditional (non-AP) format, please click HERE.
Nominations for the Wuerffel Trophy are made by the respective universities’ Sports Information Departments and will close on October 15. An up-to-date list of nominees can be found at www.wuerffeltrophy.org beginning on August 1. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on November 2 and finalists will be announced on November 22.
The formal announcement of the 2021 recipient will be made on December 9 and the presentation of the 2021 Wuerffel Trophy will occur in February 2022 in Fort Walton Beach.
Past recipients of the award are: Rudy Niswanger – Louisiana State University – 2005; Joel Penton – Ohio State University – 2006; Paul Smith – University of Tulsa – 2008; 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.
The Wuerffel Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast more than 800 recipients, dating back to 1935. The members of the NCFAA are unveiling their preseason watch lists over a two-week period this month. Sixteen of the association’s 25 awards select a preseason watch list and the NCFAA has spearheaded a coordinated effort to promote each award’s preseason candidates. For the complete 2021 preseason watch list calendar, please click HERE.
The Wuerffel Trophy is supported by its corporate partners Dart Container Corporation/Solo Cup and Herff Jones.
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ABOUT THE WUERFFEL TROPHY
Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy honors college football players who serve others, celebrate their impact, and inspire greater service in the world. A member of the National College Football Awards Association, the 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 Wuerffel 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.
WUERFFEL TROPHY CONTACT
Tom Brassell, tombrassell@wuerffeltrophy.org
DANNY WUERFFEL CONTACT
Shannon Donohue, wuerffelfoundation@berkcommunications.com
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2021 Watch List (by AP University)
Thomas Hennigan, Appalachian State University, Senior, Wide Receiver
Jackson He, Arizona State University, Junior, Running Back
Andre Harris, Jr., Arkansas State University, Junior, Offensive Line
Nick Brahms, Auburn University, Senior, Offensive Line
Bryce Cosby, Ball State University, Senior, Defensive Back
Brandon Martin, Ball State University, Senior, Linebacker
Byron Hanspard, Jr., Baylor University, Junior, Defensive Back
Kekaula Kaniho, Boise State University, Senior, Defensive Back
James Empey, Brigham Young University, Junior, Offensive Line
Darien Rencher, Clemson University, Senior, Running Back
Kennedy Roberts, Coastal Carolina University, Junior, Defensive Line
A’Jon Vivens, Colorado State University, Junior, Running Back
Jake Bobo, Duke University, Senior, Wide Receiver/Special Teams
Holton Ahlers, East Carolina University, Senior, Quarterback
Tariq Speights, Eastern Michigan University, Senior, Linebacker
Camren McDonald, Florida State University, Junior, Tight End
Juanyeh Thomas, Georgia Institute of Technology, Junior, Defensive Back
Michael Ziemba, Indiana University, Senior, Linebacker
Brock Purdy, Iowa State University, Senior, Quarterback
Skylar Thompson, Kansas State University, Senior, Quarterback
Isaac Vance, Kent State University, Senior, Wide Receiver
Sam Allan, Kent State University, Senior, Offensive Line
Damone Clark, Louisiana State University, Senior, Linebacker
Joshua Mote, Louisiana Tech University, Junior, Offensive Line
Reeves Blankenship, Louisiana Tech University, Junior, Long Snapper
Alex Mollette, Marshall University, Senior, Offensive Line
Reed Blankenship, Middle Tennessee State University, Senior, Defensive Back
Austin Williams, Mississippi State University, Senior, Wide Receiver
Sage Doxtater, New Mexico State University, Senior, Offensive Line
Isaiah Moore, North Carolina State University, Senior, Linebacker
Joe Spivak, Northwestern University, Senior, Defensive Line
Ryan Hilinski, Northwestern University, Sophomore., Quarterback
Harry Miller, Ohio State University, Junior, Offensive Line
Jordan Young, Old Dominion University, Senior, Linebacker
Jaydon Grant, Oregon State University, Junior, Defensive Back
Sean Clifford, Pennsylvania State University, Senior, Quarterback
Ikenna Enechukwu, Rice University, Sophomore, Defensive Line
Tysyn Parker, San Jose State University, Senior, Linebacker
Shaine Hailey, Southern Methodist University, Senior, Linebacker
Isaiah Sanders, Stanford University, Senior, Quarterback
Kingsley Jonathan, Syracuse University, Senior, Defensive Line
Re-Al Mitchell, Temple University, Sophomore, Quarterback
Keldrick Carper, Texas A&M University, Senior, Defensive Back
Obinna Eze, Texas Christian University, Junior, Offensive Line
Tyler Vitt, Texas State University, Junior, Quarterback
Tony Bradford, Jr., Texas Tech University, Junior, Defensive Line
Luke Whittemore, Troy University, Junior, Wide Receiver
Nick Anderson, Tulane University, Junior, Linebacker
Bubba Arslanian, University of Akron, Junior, Linebacker
Chris Owens, University of Alabama, Senior, Offensive Line
Colby Ragland, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Senior, Offensive Line
Bryce Wolma, University of Arizona, Senior, Tight End
Jordan Silver, University of Arkansas, Senior, Long Snapper
Michael Saffell, University of California, Senior, Offensive Line
Nate Landman, University of Colorado, Senior, Linebacker
Brian Keating, University of Connecticut, Senior, Long Snapper
Zachary Carter, University of Florida, Senior, Defensive Line
Nakobe Dean, University of Georgia, Junior, Linebacker
Hekili Keliiliki, University of Hawai’i, Junior, Running Back/Linebacker
Marcus Jones, University of Houston, Senior, Defensive Back/Special Teams
Michael Marchese, University of Illinois, Senior, Tight End
Kaevon Merriweather, University of Iowa, Junior, Defensive Back
Kwamie Lassiter II, University of Kansas, Senior, Wide Receiver
Kenneth Horsey, University of Kentucky, Junior, Offensive Line
Levi Lewis, University of Louisiana, Senior, Quarterback
Brian Cobbs, University of Maryland, Senior, Wide Receiver
Preston Brady, University of Memphis, Senior, Long Snapper
Tanner Morgan, University of Minnesota, Senior, Quarterback
Mac Brown, University of Mississippi, Senior, Punter
Tyler Badie, University of Missouri, Senior, Running Back
Ben Stille, University of Nebraska, Senior, Defensive Line
Peter Agabe, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Senior, Linebacker
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, University of Notre Dame, Senior, Defensive Line
Pat Fields, University of Oklahoma, Senior, Defensive Back
Cal Adomitis, University of Pittsburgh, Senior, Long Snapper
Deslin Alexandre, University of Pittsburgh, Senior, Defensive Line
Keith Gallmon, University of South Alabama, Junior, Defensive Back
Spencer Eason-Riddle, University of South Carolina, Senior, Linebacker
Matthew Butler, University of Tennessee, Senior, Defensive Line
Hunter Duplessis, University of Texas at San Antonio, Senior, Kicker
Bailey Flint, University of Toledo, Senior, Punter
Chris Paul, University of Tulsa, Senior, Offensive Line
Mika Tafua, University of Utah, Junior, Defensive Line
Race Porter, University of Washington, Senior, Punter
Faion Hicks, University of Wisconsin, Senior, Defensive Back
Calvin Tyler, Jr., Utah State University, Junior, Running Back
Elijah McAllister, Vanderbilt University, Senior, Linebacker
Brock Hoffman, Virginia Tech University, Junior, Offensive Line
Tyriq Hardimon, Wake Forest University, Junior, Defensive Back
Evan Staley, West Virginia University, Senior, Kicker
Jarret Doege, West Virginia University, Senior, Quarterback
Sean Mahone, West Virginia University, Senior, Defensive Back
Mike Caliendo, Western Michigan University, Senior, Offensive Line