CHICAGO — Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association today named 22 student-athletes and honorary coach Kalani Sitake to the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, recognizing their commitment to service, academic achievement and athletic excellence.
The Good Works Team was selected from 162 nominees and includes representatives from every level of college football. The team roster and stories of community service can be found at ESPN.com/Allstate.
Now in his 11th season as head football coach at BYU, Sitake is recognized for launching the Built4Life program at BYU to inspire lifelong learning by empowering student-athletes academically, spiritually and professionally through instructional services, academic guidance and leadership initiatives.
Sitake is also involved in a variety of local community and international initiatives, including the True Blue Hero program, BYU-Pathway Worldwide, Kids on the Move, National Kidney Foundation, Live Your Dream Foundation, the Utah County Boys & Girls Clubs and several other organizations.
“Coach Sitake challenges his players to lead with character and serve others,” said Craig Bohl, American Football Coaches Association executive director. “The culture he's built at BYU makes him a deserving choice as this year's honorary coach.”
This summer Sitake and several individuals from the BYU football program traveled to Tonga to dedicate a new employment and education center in partnership with BYU-Pathway Worldwide.
Earlier this year the Utah County Commission named Sitake the Utah County Person of the Year for his leadership impact on the community, culture and economy of the region. In addition, the Live Your Dream Foundation presented BYU Football with its Community Impact Award to recognize the program’s support of higher education scholarships for single mothers.
Since 2024, Sitake has guided the Cougars to a 25-4 record, bringing well-deserved conference and national recognition. Following the 2025 football season, Sitake was named the Chuck Neinas Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year after guiding BYU to a 12-2 record and No. 11 final ranking. He was also honored as winner of the 2025 Buddy Teevens Award, recognizing outstanding achievement on the field and exceptional leadership that leaves a lasting impact on players, coaches and the game of football at large.
For more than three decades, the Good Works Team has celebrated college football players whose leadership extends beyond the game and into their communities. Since 2008, Allstate has supported those efforts through national recognition and a monetary contribution to student-athletes to advance their community impact.
Recently, former BYU safety Tanner Wall (2025) and defensive end Tyler Batty (2023) were named to the Good Works Teams in their respective seasons playing for Sitake. In 2010, former quarterback Riley Nelson was also named to the team.
Collectively, this year's Good Works Team honorees contributed more than 12,000 hours of volunteer service, raised more than $100,000 for charitable causes, launched seven community initiatives and foundations and used their NIL earnings to support causes they care about.
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team reflects Allstate’s decades-long commitment to empower student-athletes to lead in their communities.
2026 ALLSTATE AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM
Football Bowl Subdivisions (FBS)
|
Name |
School |
|
Noah Fifita |
University of Arizona |
|
Michael Allen |
Baylor University |
|
Gideon Davidson |
Clemson University |
|
Micah Sahakian |
Duke University |
|
Jaylin Belford |
Liberty University |
|
Leonard Moore |
University of Notre Dame |
|
Mudia Reuben |
University of South Florida |
|
Edwin Spillman |
University of Tennessee |
|
Colin Simmons |
University of Texas |
|
Marcus Ratcliffe |
Texas A&M University |
|
Matt Hofer |
University of Toledo |
Combined Divisions (FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA)
|
Name |
School |
|
L’Shawn Taylor |
Bemidji State University |
|
Jaegar Ash |
Bethel University (Minnesota) |
|
Peyton Ritzert |
Central College |
|
Josh Fedd |
Harvard University |
|
Shea Ruddy |
Hillsdale College |
|
Troy Mrukowski |
John Carroll University |
|
Browning Trainer |
Johns Hopkins University |
|
Luke Paulsen |
Morningside University |
|
Gianna Bennett |
Northwestern College |
|
Sam Nolan |
Saint John’s University (Minnesota) |
|
JayJay Jordan |
Slippery Rock University |
Head Coach
|
Name |
School |
|
Brigham Young University |