Tag: Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

Florida’s starting QB named to Wuerffel Trophy Preseason Watch List

Graham Mertz has excelled on the field for the Florida Gators, but he has also done a lot off the field during his short time in Gainesville.

The 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy preseason watch list was announced on Thursday with redshirt senior and incumbent Florida football quarterback [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag] included among the names.

The honor is awarded annually to the FBS player who best embodies the spirit of service and humanitarianism of former Gators quarterback [autotag]Danny Wuerffel[/autotag], who parlayed his success on the football field into a lifetime of service.

Mertz has participated in a handful of service events with local organizations and charities during his short time in Gainesville. He has donated his time to Habitat for Humanity, Bread of the Almighty, Ronald McDonald House, Food4Kids Backpack Program, and North Central Florida YMCA — as well as multiple elementary schools in Alachua County — in less than two years in town.

The only member of the Orange and Blue to have ever earned the honor is Gators legend [autotag]Tim Tebow[/autotag], who was awarded in 2008.

Danny Wurffel’s announcement

“I am deeply honored to see such outstanding individuals nominated for this year’s Allstate Wuerffel Trophy,” said Wuerffel.

“Their commitment to serving others and making a positive impact in their communities is truly inspiring. Throughout my life and career, I have always believed in the importance of putting others before yourself and striving to make a difference. These nominees exemplify those values, and I am proud to celebrate their dedication to humanitarian efforts and selfless service.”

More on the Wuerffel Trophy

The 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists and recipients will be selected by an illustrious national voting committee, including a fan vote component, and announced on ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec.12.  The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will take place Feb. 1, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

The full list of watch list nominees can be found here.

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Florida’s junior linebacker named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

Derek Wingo is among Florida football’s rising leaders and the The Wuerffel Trophy Watch List has taken notice.

The Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, which honors college football players who serve others, celebrate their impact, and inspire greater service in the world, was released on Thursday by the Wuerffel Foundation. Among those earning a mention for the award named after the former Gator great was current Florida linebacker [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag].

Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association and is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.  It is the first major award honoring the character of service to others.

On Thursday, Billy Napier reinforced the notion that the junior defender is among the leaders of the 2023 squad during a press conference. When confronted with the notion that Wingo is one of the most respected players on the team, Napier replied, “We all know that.”

The 6-foot-1-inch, 240-pound linebacker played in 12 games last season, finishing things off with back-to-back starts. Wingo recorded 24 total tackles (eight solo) along with a pair of sacks that year, including a career-high eight tackles against Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl. He appeared in all 13 games in 2021 (one start) and nine games in his true freshman season.

The junior defender is also a two-time SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll member and currently sits on the 2023 SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council.

Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 2 and finalists will be announced on Nov. 28, with the formal announcement of the 2023 recipient scheduled to be made live on either Dec. 7 or 8 during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing on ESPN.

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Wisconsin CB Faion Hicks named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

This is the second year in a row that a Badger has been nominated for the prestigious award:

On Friday morning, senior Wisconsin cornerback Faion Hicks was named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List.

Related: WATCH: Former Badgers Cole Van Lanen and Jon Dietzen practice in Green Bay

The trophy is awarded every season to the college football player that best combines community service, academics and athletic achievement. Badgers have now been nominated for the award in back-to-back years after former Wisconsin defensive back Madison Cone was named to the watch list last season.

Although this is not the most athletic performance-based award, it highlights the lasting impact of a players’ hard work and dedication in the classroom and around the community.

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Miller Forristall named to 2020 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

On Thursday, Alabama tight end Miller Forristall was named to the 2020 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List.

On Thursday, Alabama tight end Miller Forristall was named to the 2020 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List.

The award is given to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic, as well as academic achievement.

Forristall is one of 114 players who were named to the watch list.

Alabama has had one player in Crimson Tide history to win the award: Barrett Jones  in 2011.

Alabama had this to say about Forristall’s community service:

“Contributed over 200 hours of community service during his time at the Capstone … attended two separate mission trips with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) … spent a week in Costa Rica coaching football camps while also helping to educate the community on healthy habitats and community conditions … also traveled to a Nicaraguan Refugee Camp with fellow FCA student-athletes … participated in hospital visits and community service events on the Crimson Tide’s bowl trips.”

In his career at Alabama, Forristall has recorded 18 receptions for 216 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Last season, he had 15 receptions for 167 yards, and 4 touchdowns.

The winner of the award will be announced on Dec. 8 at a National Football Foundation press conference in New York City.

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