Allstate, American Football Coaches Association Announce Record 151 Nominees for College Football's Top Community Service Award

2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® nominees uphold impressive community service resumes; prestigious award recognizes student-athletes for their commitment to volunteerism

News provided by

Allstate Insurance Company

Jul 16, 2013, 09:00 ET

NORTHBROOK, Ill., July 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) today announced 151 nominees for the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^®, the most ever in the award's 22-year history. The award recognizes a select group of college football players who have made a commitment to enriching the lives of others while contributing to the greater good of their communities.

Since 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® has honored college football players at all levels of the sport for their selfless acts of giving back to the community and off-the-field achievements. These student-athletes represent the sport's finest in the areas of volunteerism and leadership amongst their peers.

"Through their commitment to service and helping others, this impressive group of student-athletes has shown that 'good works' extend beyond the football field," said Cynthia Whitfield, field senior vice president of Allstate's Southern region and a member of the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® voting panel. "The positive impact these young athletes have on their communities is an inspiration to us all and another reason to celebrate the good happening in our communities."

While tackles and touchdowns earn accolades on-the-field, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® shines a light on the stories of good taking place outside the sport of football that often go unnoticed. It is those student-athletes who have dedicated countless hours towards helping others who have been nominated by their respective colleges and universities for this prestigious honor.

This year's nominees uphold impressive service resumes detailing several unique and inspiring stories of servitude. From aiding with natural disaster relief across the globe to volunteering with sick and underprivileged children, this dedicated group of student-athletes has demonstrated the exceptional ability to balance academics with athletics while donating their limited free time and energy to serve others.

"With a record number of nominees submitted this year for the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, it is obvious that our country's collegiate football programs are producing great student-athletes," said Grant Teaff, AFCA Executive Director. "The AFCA is proud to partner with Allstate for a sixth consecutive year in honoring these outstanding student-athletes."

From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® members and prominent college football media members will select the 2013 Good Works Team.^® Comprised of 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and the NAIA, the final roster of 22 award recipients will be unveiled in September.

Allstate and the AFCA will launch the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® website on ESPN.com, featuring profiles and images of the final team members, as well as the opportunity for fans to vote for the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® Captain.

The 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® voting panel includes: former Good Works Team^® members Zaid Abdul-Aleem (Duke, 1994 team), Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1997, 1998 teams), Brian Brenberg (St. Thomas, 2001 team), Mike Proman (Amherst, 2002 team); media members Lou Holtz (ESPN), Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN), Tom O'Toole (USA Today), Blair Kerkhoff (Kansas City Star); current AFCA President and University of Texas Head Coach Mack Brown; 1987 AFCA President LaVell Edwards, former head coach at Brigham Young University; and Cynthia Whitfield, field vice president of Allstate's Southern Region.

In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and the AFCA, each player must be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or community service while maintaining a strong academic standing.

The following players have been nominated for consideration to be named to the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^®.

Football Bowl Subdivision

Arizona State University – Taylor Kelly	Louisiana State University – Zach Mettenberger
Auburn University – Nosa Eguae	Michigan State University – Fou Fonoti
Ball State University – Keith Wenning	Middle Tennessee State University – Logan Kilgore
Baylor University – Bryce Petty	Mississippi State University – Kaleb Eulls
Boise State University – Kirby Moore	North Carolina State University – Asa Watson
Bowling Green State University – Ronnie Goble	Northwestern University – Jeff Budzien
Brigham Young University – Kyle Van Noy	Ohio State University – Jack Mewhort
California State University, Fresno – Derek Carr	Oregon State University – Steven Christian
Central Michigan University – Jake Olson	Penn State University – John Urschel
Clemson University – Chandler Catanzaro	Rutgers University – Brandon Coleman
Duke University – Dave Harding	Syracuse University – J. Sam Rodgers
East Carolina University – Trent Tignor	Temple University – Wyatt Benson
Georgia State University – Michael Davis	Texas A&M University – Jake Matthews
Indiana University – Greg Heban	Tulane University – Zach Morgan
Iowa State University – Kirby Van Der Kamp	University of Alabama - Vinnie Sunseri
Kansas State University – Tyler Lockett	University of Arizona – B.J. Denker
Kent State University – Darius Polk	University at Buffalo – Fred Lee

University of California – Nick Forbes	University of New Mexico – Kasey Carrier
University of Central Florida – Blake Bortles	University of Oklahoma – Gabe Ikard
University of Cincinnati – Jordan Luallen	University of Pittsburgh – Mark Giubilato
University of Florida – Jeremy Brown	University of South Alabama – Ross Metheny
University of Georgia – Chris Burnette	University of South Carolina – Damiere Byrd
University of Houston – Zach McMillian	University of Southern California – Devon Kennard
University of Illinois – Nathan Scheelhaase	University of Tennessee – Jacques Smith
University of Iowa – James Morris	University of Texas – Jackson Jeffcoat
University of Kentucky – Avery Williamson	University of Texas-San Antonio – Eric Soza
University of Louisville – Teddy Bridgewater	University of Toledo – Greg Mancz
University of Maryland – C.J. Brown	University of Virginia – Luke Bowanko
University of Memphis – Jacob Karam	University of Wisconsin – Jared Abbrederis
University of Miami (Fla.) – Stephen Morris	Utah State University – Chuckie Keeton
University of Minnesota – Chris Hawthorne	Vanderbilt University – Carey Spear
University of Mississippi – D.T. Shackelford	West Virginia University – Will Clarke
University of Missouri – James Franklin	Western Michigan University – Kirk Nakama
University of Nebraska – C.J. Zimmerer

Combined Divisions (FCS, II, III & NAIA)

Alderson-Broaddus College – Preston Bailey	Minnesota State University-Mankato – Sam Brockshus
Appalachian State University – Jamal Londry-Jackson	Missouri State University – Caleb Schaffitzel
Aurora University – Tyler Simmons	Montana State University – DeNarius McGhee
Bentley University – Danny Guadagnoli	Morgan State University – Tyrell Okoro
Bethel University (Minn.) – J.D. Mehlhorn	Morningside College – Jordan Sitzmann
Bryant University – Maduka Nwanekezi	Muhlenberg College – Joe Carlucci
Bucknell University – Josh Brake	Murray State University – Sam Small
Butler University – Matt Lancaster	North Carolina Central University – Jordan Reid
California Polytechnic State University – Sullivan Grosz	North Dakota State University – Esley Thorton
Campbell University – Michael Rudisill	Northwood University – Josh Sinagoga
Carson-Newman College – Curt Duncan	Ohio Wesleyan University – Rayce Risser
College of the Holy Cross – Gary Acquah	Old Dominion University – Taylor Heinicke
Cornell University – Jeff Mathews	Pittsburg State University – John Brown
Dakota State University – Ronnie Jorgensen	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – Joe Cozzolino
Davidson College – Weston Hawkins	Robert Morris University (Ill.) – Lamont Wims
Eastern Kentucky University – Ichiro Vance	Saint John's University (Minn.) – Colin Moynihan
Edinboro University – Cody Harris	Samford University – Jeremy Towns
Elon University –- Miles Williams	Siena Heights University – Meiko McDaniel
Emory & Henry College – Kyle Boden	South Dakota State University – Winston Wright
Franklin & Marshall College – Nick Porcelli	Southern Illinois University – Austin Pucylowski
Georgia Southern University – Trevor McBurnett	St. Cloud State University – Phillip Klaphake
Henderson State University – Kevin Rodgers	Stephen F. Austin State University – Garrick Smitherman
Hillsdale College – Steven Embry	Stony Brook University – Marcus Coker
Illinois State University – Colton Underwood	Tabor College – James Monroe
Indiana State University – FN Lutz	Tarleton State University – Kade Cole
Johns Hopkins University – Vincenzo Bonaddio	Tennessee State University – Devin Wilson
Kenyon College – William David Brackett	Texas Lutheran University – Bradley Snowden
Lafayette College – Brad Bormann	Thomas More College – Jake Fishburn
Loras College – Jordan Pontius	Towson University – Arnold Farmer
Marist College – Max Jacques	Trinity University (Texas) – Weslyn Wagner
Mercyhurst University – Colin Kimball

Tusculum College – Bo Cordell	University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) – Mitchell Mascaro
University of Delaware – Ryan Cobb	Washington University (Mo.) – Andrew Skalman
University of Dubuque – Tyson Carter	Wayne State University (Mich.) – Chet Privett
University of Montana – Jordan Tripp	Waynesburg University – Thomas Paulone
University of Mount Union – Kevin Burke	West Chester University – Rich Bruno
University of Northern Iowa – Zach Cutkomp	West Texas A&M University – Dustin Vaughan
University of Saint Francis (Ind.) – Joey Dynako	Westminster College – David Wright
University of San Diego – Thomas Cobbs	Wilkes University – Tyler Berntsen
University of Sioux Falls – Carrington Hanna	Winona State University – Ryan Gerts
University of St. Thomas (Minn.) – Willie Schneider	Wittenberg University – Reed Florence
University of Tennessee-Martin – Taino Fears-Perez	Yale University – Beau Palin
	Youngstown State University – Kurt Hess

About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names and Allstate Financial business segment. Allstate branded insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services are offered through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via www.allstate.com, www.allstate.com/financial and 1-800 Allstate^®, and are widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate^®." As part of Allstate's commitment to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $29 million in 2012 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.

About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^®The Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams^® were 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 partnered to present the award starting with the 2008 season.

The SEC leads all conferences with 57 selections to the Good Works Team since it began in 1992. The SEC is followed by the Big 12 Conference with 41 selections and the Atlantic Coast Conference with 31 selections. With Aaron Murray's selection in 2012, Georgia moves into first place with 14 honorees to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The Bulldogs are followed by Nebraska and St. Thomas (Minn.) with 13 honorees each. Super Bowl XLII, XLVI and XLI champion quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning were members of the 2002 and 1997 Good Works Teams®, respectively.

About AFCA
The 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."

SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company