ATLANTA — BYU safety Tanner Wall was today named one of three finalists for the prestigious Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. Established in 2005 by the Wuerffel Foundation, the trophy is presented annually to the FBS football player who best combines exemplary community service, academic excellence and athletic achievement.
Wall, a 6-1, 205-pound senior from Arlington, Virginia, was previously named to the 11-member 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team in September, which also qualified him as a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy. Joining Wall as a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy are Matt Hofer (Toledo) and Michael Taaffe (Texas).
The Cougar defensive captain, who has started all 11 games in 2025, currently leads the team in interceptions with four, which also ties him for the Big 12 Conference lead. He also has 53 tackles, good for third best on the team. On Oct. 20, Wall was named Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in BYU’s 24-21 win over rival Utah, which included a season-high 10 tackles and an interception that led to BYU’s game-winning touchdown.
In addition to being a finalist for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, Wall is also a semifinalist for the Pop Warner College Football Award and the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. He was a candidate for two other national awards in 2025 — National Football Foundation William V. Campbell Trophy and the Burlsworth Trophy.
As a junior in 2024, Wall started all 13 games, was the team co-leader in interceptions with three, ranked fourth in total tackles with 53 and added a pass breakup to help BYU go 11-2 and earn a No. 13 final ranking.
At the conclusion of the 2024 season, Wall was named to the CSC Academic All-America First Team for his excellence in the classroom and received All-Big 12 Third Team recognition by College Football Network for his play on the field. In addition, he earned recognition on the Academic All-Big 12 Team and Commissioner's Honor Roll. Wall graduated from BYU with a 3.89 GPA in business finance and is currently enrolled in the BYU Marriott School MBA program.
In addition to his success on the field and in the classroom, Wall has been very involved in a wide variety of community service endeavors during his time at BYU. He currently coordinates the BYU football team efforts with the BYU-Pathway Worldwide program, helping to connect with and mentor hundreds of students from across Africa and the South Pacific.
Along with other members of the BYU football team, Wall makes weekly visits to patients at Utah Valley Hospital who are struggling with illness. He also speaks regularly at local school events and church devotionals for youth to inspire them to pursue education and value learning and discipline.
Wall also served for three years as the co-chair of the BYU Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Service Committee, which provides service opportunities for student-athletes in the local community.
The 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient will be announced live Dec. 12 during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. He also serves as captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and attends the Heisman Trophy ceremonies in New York City and will be recognized during the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala on Jan. 31, 2026, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Finalists were selected by the National Selection Committee from among 11 NCAA FBS players on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and input from fan voting on ESPN.com/Allstate.