Rutgers football: Mayan Ahanotu named to Wuerffel Trophy watch list

Rutgers football’s Mayan Ahanotu was named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list, honoring his efforts off the field

Rutgers football Mayan Ahanotu, linebacker for the Scarlet Knights, was named to the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy. The trophy was established in 2005. It honors college football athletes who are serving others, while also achieving greatness on the football field and in the classroom.  As part of the National Football Federation’s Collegiate Awards, it was the first major award honoring the character of service to others.

IN the community, Ahanotu has been active within an initiative at Rutgers called Chop4Change. It was created to spread a message of unity and equality. Ahanotu said through a press release:

“It’s really awesome. I love our #Chop4Change program. It’s really about how we can impact our community right now. We’re just going to do all we can do for all the people in all our communities that we can affect right now.”

Some activities have included participating in the opening ceremonies for Special Olympics New Jersey and the Rutgers Dance Marathon. In addition, Ahanotu has been a weekly mentor for the Middlesex Juvenile Detention Center, leading sessions with young men who are incarcerated.

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The third year Scarlet Knight was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team in both 2019 and 2021. He appeared in all 13 of the team’s games last season, starting in nine – including the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. Ahanotu finished last season with 18 total tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble.

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