Allstate, AFCA Reveal 2024 Good Works Team, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalists

NORTHBROOK, Ill., September 17, 2024 – The 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® set, narrowing down the candidates for this year's Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team names 22 student players and one head coach for exemplary community service. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, announced later this year, is presented to one of 11 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players selected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

“Every year, I am inspired by how these young men use their gifts to make a positive impact in their communities,” said Tim Tebow, 2009 Heisman Trophy winner, Good Works Team member and 2008 Allstate Wuerffel. Award recipient. “I am also honored to help celebrate this award and the wonderful work it highlights.”

This year's Allstate AFCA Good Works team was selected from 178 nominees, representing players and coaches from colleges and universities across the country for their unwavering commitment to community service and their “good works” off the field.

Members of this year's team include:

Chase Griffin, Quarterback, University of California, Los Angeles: Griffin founded a foundation to address youth food insecurity, raising tens of thousands of dollars for the Los Angeles County Food Bank.

Malachi Starks, Defensive Back, University of Georgia: Starks hosts a soccer camp for at-risk youth in Atlanta and is a regular at Clark County schools.

Garrett Greene, Quarterback, West Virginia University: Greene actively gives back to the community, visiting children in local hospitals, raising funds for cancer patients, and helping veterans.

Dean Janikowski, Kicker, Washington State University: Janikowski honors his late mother by raising money for cancer patients, including asking fans to pledge donations for each field goal and extra point he makes.

A complete list of the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and its philanthropic stories can be found at ESPN.com/Allstate.

“The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team represents the power of achievement in your community,” said Sam Acho, ESPN analyst, author, and 2010 Good Works Team member and recipient of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. “These honorees have achieved a lot in a short period of time. I hope this award will encourage them to continue to find joy in serving others.”

The 23 award recipients come together:

• 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 respected head coach

“The Good Jobs Team embodies Allstate's mission to improve communities,” said Troy Hawkes, Allstate vice president and general manager. “We are inspired by the awardees and the positive impact they have on many people.”

All members are selected by a voting panel of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members, current and former head coaches and journalists looking for exceptional leadership on and off the football field.

“It's amazing to see the extra effort and community service these 22 young men do every day,” said Craig Bohl, AFCA executive director. “We must not be out of time, our respected coach Marcus Freeman is showing that he can still give back and help his community even when he is the manager of an FBS program like Notre Dame. Congratulations to Coach Freeman and these 22 student-athletes for making the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.”

Throughout the season, fans can join the conversation using #GoodWorksTeam on their social media channels to help others learn more about these players and their stories.

Recipient of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy and captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football's premier community service award, is presented to one of the 11 FBS players selected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team who best combines exemplary community service and leadership with performance on and off the field. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Danny Wuerffel, the award honors the former NFL quarterback's commitment to promoting greater service and unity in the world.

“Seeing the incredible effort that the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team has committed to hundreds of hours of service to benefit their communities, starting nonprofits, and hosting fundraising events, is truly inspiring,” said Wuerffel. “We are excited to see which of these outstanding servant leaders will be named this year's 20-year recipient of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.”

The 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy winner and recipient will be selected by a national voting committee, which includes a portion of the fan vote. The 2024 recipient, who will also be honored as captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, will be announced live at the Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12, which airs on ESPN.

Fans can vote Nov. 15 at ESPN.com/Allstate.

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. The AFCA became the governing body for the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate has been working to introduce the award since the 2008 season.

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads all conferences with 89 selections to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team since its inception in 1992. The SEC is followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 55 selections and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 43 selections. Georgia is tied for first place with 24 Allstate AFCA Team of the Year honors. The Bulldogs are followed by Kentucky and Bethel (Minn.) with 18 awards. Super Bowl XLII, XLVI and XLI champion quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning were members of the 2002 and 1997 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams, respectively.

About AFCA

The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) was founded in 1922 and currently has over 11,000 members worldwide from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was established, in part, to “maintain the highest possible standards in football and coaching” and “to provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters relating to football.”

For more information about AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. If you are interested in in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find more information about membership and specific member benefits on AFCA's Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please complete the AFCA Membership Application Form.

About the Wuerffel Foundation

The Wuerffel Foundation is dedicated to supporting Danny Wuerffel's mission to promote greater service and unity in the world, built on the three values ​​of excellence, service and humility. As a well-known philanthropist, Danny mentors community leaders and connects them with philanthropic resources. The foundation annually presents the prestigious Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football's top award for community service, and hosts the Desire Cup and PickleBowl events.

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 award 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, this award honors his commitment to promoting greater service and unity in the world. Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the 1996 National Championship. As a philanthropist, he continues to inspire leaders to make a positive impact on 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 pro in the National Pickleball League and hosts celebrity pro-am “PickleBowl” tournaments.

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