ESPN College GameDay Reporter and Peloton Instructor Joins Committee Recognizing College Football’s Most Impactful Community Service Leaders
ATLANTA, Aug. 27, 2026 — The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy today announced the addition of Jess Sims to its National Selection Committee.
Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy honors the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.
“Throughout my career in education, fitness and sports, I’ve seen that the best leaders are the ones who make the people around them better,” Sims said. “The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recognizes student-athletes who are using their leadership and influence to serve others and make an impact in their communities. I’m honored to be part of the selection committee and help celebrate the individuals who are leading both on and off the field.”
Sims joined ESPN in 2022 as a reporter for College GameDay and has since expanded her coverage to include college basketball, the Little League World Series, the Special Olympics and more. In 2023, she also became a contributor to ABC’s Good Morning America.
In addition to her work in sports media, Sims has built a platform as a Peloton instructor, inspiring people to invest in their physical and mental well-being while fostering connection and community. Sims began her career in education through Teach For America. She went on to serve as both a teacher and school administrator, supporting students in diverse and underserved communities.
She has remained closely connected to her roots as an educator through the Peloton Teacher Appreciation Tour, highlighting the impact teachers have on students and communities across the country.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jess to the National Selection Committee,” Wuerffel said. “Her background in education, her work in college sports, and her commitment to shining a light on service make her an outstanding addition to the committee.”
Sims joins a distinguished National Selection Committee responsible for evaluating nominees from across the country and selecting the student-athlete who best embodies the award’s mission of service, leadership, and excellence.
Following the announcement of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, 11 student-athletes will be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and become semifinalists for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy in September. The National Selection Committee will then narrow the field to three finalists before the 2026 recipient is announced live during The Home Depot College Football Awards show on December 11.
Wuerffel Trophy Contacts
James Gadsby – Executive Director, Wuerffel Foundation
Shailey Klein – Program Manager, Wuerffel Foundation
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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.
Wuerffel Trophy Past Recipients:
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; Nick Dawkins – Penn State – 2024; and Michael Taaffe – Texas – 2025.