PROVO, Utah — BYU seniors Mitchell Juergens and Jonny Linehan were both named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list Wednesday, while Juergens was also recognized as an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee.
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service,” is presented annually by the All Sports Association in Fort Walton Beach Florida. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team features players that have demonstrated that ‘good works’ extend beyond the football field. This year’s nominees uphold impressive service resumes detailing inspiring stories of servitude and the exceptional ability to balance academics with athletics, while donating their limited free time and energy to helping others.
Juergens, a wide receiver, played in 13 games last season, totaling 37 catches, 471 yards and two touchdowns. Linehan, BYU's punter, had 62 punts last season, averaging 42.7 yards per punt, including 20 boots dropped inside the 20-yardline. Both players have served LDS missions and been at the forefront of both team and individual service opportunities.
Voting for the Wuerffel Trophy is performed by a National Selection Committee that includes college football television and print media, industry notables, former head coaches and prior Wuerffel Trophy recipients.
Nominations for the Wuerffel Trophy are made by the respective universities’ Sports Information departments and will close on October 14. A current list of nominees can be found at www.wuerffeltrophy.org beginning August 1. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 3 and finalists will be announced on November 23. The formal announcement of the 2016 Wuerffel Trophy recipient will be on December 6 at the National Football Foundation’s press conference in New York City.
In honor of the 25th anniversary, Allstate and the AFCA will add three additional spots to this year’s team and announce a final roster of 25 members in September. For the first time in the award’s history, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® will be comprised of 12 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, 12 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA and an honorary head coach.
From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Good Works Team members and prominent college football media members will select the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Former BYU quarterback Riley Nelson was a member of the 2010 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Once the final team members are announced in September, fans are encouraged to visit the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® website on ESPN.com, featuring profiles and images of the players, for the opportunity to vote for the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Captain.
In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and the AFCA, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing.