Werts Named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
7/24/2020 2:52:00 PM | Football
Award factors in on- and off-field excellence
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. - The Wuerffel Trophy announced its Watch List today of 114 players from college football's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The number is a record for the award since it first began releasing a watch list in 2015. Included on the list is Georgia Southern senior quarterback Shai Werts.
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as "College Football's Premier Award for Community Service," is presented each February in Fort Walton Beach. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from the University of Florida, Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy exists to honor college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society, and inspire greater service in the world.
"It is so inspiring to see this record number of athletes being submitted for the award," said Wuerffel. "These young men truly represent college football's most impactful community service leaders. We are proud to honor them."
Georgia Southern Football led all FBS in 2018-19 in community service hours logged (verified by Helper Helper) and was second in the nation in 2019-20 before the pandemic shut things down. Werts was a huge part of that community service initiative. In previous off-seasons, he has led his off-season competition team (12 teammates) to over 515 hours of community service (517 total hours).
During his career, Werts has individually composed over 100 hours of community Service to such projects as: Mission Trip to Cuba with Athletes in Action, Boys & Girls Club volunteer, Elementary School Field Day – Fight Against Childhood Obesity, Habit for Humanity – helped to build houses for less fortunate, Bulloch County Back to School Drive, Community Food Bank through a church group, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes participant - to raise awareness of sexual violence against women, and Relay for Life.
2020 WUERFFEL TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH LIST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY UNIVERSITY)
Noah Hannon, Appalachian State University, senior, offensive line
Ethan Long, Arizona State University, sophomore, tight end
Andre Harris, Jr., Arkansas State University, junior, offensive line
Chandler Wooten, Auburn University, senior, linebacker
Brandon Martin, Ball State University, senior, linebacker
Terrel Bernard, Baylor University, junior, linebacker
Donte Harrington, Boise State University, senior, offensive line
Bracken El-Bakri, Brigham Young University, senior, defensive line
Darien Rencher, Clemson University, senior, running back
C.J. Brewer, Coastal Carolina University, senior, defensive line
Barry Wesley, Colorado State University, junior, offensive line
Rakavius Chambers, Duke University, senior, offensive line
Holton Ahlers, East Carolina University, junior, quarterback
Thomas Odukoya, Eastern Michigan University, senior, tight end
Jaiden Lars-Woodbey, Florida State University, sophomore, defensive back
Jack DeFoor, Georgia Institute of Technology, senior, offensive line
Shai Werts, Georgia Southern University, senior, quarterback
Harry Crider, Indiana University, senior, offensive line
Brock Purdy, Iowa State University, junior, quarterback
Skylar Thompson, Kansas State University, senior, quarterback
Dustin Crum, Kent State University, senior, quarterback
JaCoby Stevens, Louisiana State University, senior, defensive back
Joshua Mote, Louisiana Tech University, junior, offensive line
Reeves Blankenship, Louisiana Tech University, junior, long snapper
Brenden Knox, Marshall University, junior, running back
Jack Sorenson, Miami University, senior, wide receiver
Asher O'Hara, Middle Tennessee State University, junior, quarterback
Kobe Jones, Mississippi State University, senior, defensive line
Sage Doxtater, New Mexico State University, senior, offensive line
Trenton Gill, North Carolina State University, junior, punter
Master Teague III, Ohio State University, sophomore, running back
Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State University, junior, running back
Isaac Weaver, Old Dominion University, senior, offensive line
Isaac Hodgins, Oregon State University, junior, defensive line
Jaydon Grant, Oregon State University, junior, defensive back
Sean Clifford, Penn State University, junior, quarterback
Grant Hermanns, Purdue University, senior, offensive line
Christian Webb, San Jose State University, senior, linebacker
Shane Buechele, Southern Methodist University, senior, quarterback
Connor Wedington, Stanford University, senior, wide receiver
Isaiah Sanders, Stanford University, senior, quarterback
Treyjohn Butler, Stanford University, senior, defensive back
Kingsley Jonathan, Syracuse University, senior, defensive line
Isaiah Graham-Mobley, Temple University, senior, linebacker
Kellen Mond, Texas A&M University, senior, quarterback
Garret Wallow, Texas Christian University, senior, linebacker
Kellton Hollins, Texas Christian University, senior, offensive line
Zech McPhearson, Texas Tech University, senior, defensive back
Luke Whittemore, Troy University, junior, wide receiver
Sorrell Brown, Tulane University, sophomore, wide receiver
Joe Stephenson, United States Military Academy, senior, linebacker
Cameron Kinley, United States Naval Academy, senior, defensive back
Miller Forristall, University of Alabama, senior, tight end
Wilson Beaverstock, University of Alabama at Birmingham, sophomore, kicker
Colin Schooler, University of Arizona, senior, linebacker
Max Michel, University of Buffalo, sophomore, defensive line
Michael Saffell, University of California, senior, offensive line
Samuel Jackson, University of Central Florida, junior, offensive line
Blake Bacevich, University of Cincinnati, sophomore, defensive line
Colby Pursell, University of Colorado, junior, offensive line
Brian Keating, University of Connecticut, senior, long snapper
Dante Lang, University of Florida, sophomore, tight end
Eric Stokes, University of Georgia, junior, defensive back
Hekili Keliiliki, University of Hawai'i, junior, running back
Payton Turner, University of Houston, senior, defensive line
Doug Kramer, University of Illinois, senior, offensive line
Api Mane, University of Kansas, senior, offensive line
Chris Hughes, University of Kansas, senior, offensive line
Landon Young, University of Kentucky, senior, offensive line
Luke Fortner, University of Kentucky, senior, offensive line
Jalen Williams, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, senior, wide receiver
Jake Funk, University of Maryland, senior, running back
Cole McCubrey, University of Massachusetts, senior, linebacker
Solomon Siskind, University of Massachusetts, junior, tight end
Brady White, University of Memphis, senior, quarterback
Zach McCloud, University of Miami, senior, linebacker
Adam Shibley, University of Michigan, senior, linebacker
Tanner Morgan, University of Minnesota, junior, quarterback
Mac Brown, University of Mississippi, senior, punter
Kobie Whiteside, University of Missouri, senior, defensive line
Ben Stille, University of Nebraska, senior, defensive line
Lawson Hall, University of Nevada, senior, linebacker
Teton Saltes, University of New Mexico, senior, offensive line
Tyriq Harris, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, senior, defensive line
Deion Hair-Griffin, University of North Texas, senior, wide receiver/special teams
Daelin Hayes, University of Notre Dame, junior, defensive line
Caleb Kelly, University of Oklahoma, senior, linebacker
Brady Breeze, University of Oregon, senior, defensive back
Patrick Jones II, University of Pittsburgh, senior, defensive line
Brian Ankerson, University of South Alabama, junior, offensive line
Dylan Wonnum, University of South Carolina, junior, offensive line
KJ Sails, University of South Florida, senior, defensive back
Daniel Imatorbhebhe, University of Southern California, senior, tight end
Swayze Bozeman, University of Southern Mississippi, senior, linebacker
Trey Smith, University of Tennessee, senior, offensive line
Sam Ehlinger, University of Texas, senior, quarterback
Solomon Wise, University of Texas at San Antonio, senior, linebacker
Bailey Flint, University of Toledo, senior, punter
Akayleb Evans, University of Tulsa, junior, defensive back
Chris Paul, University of Tulsa, junior, offensive line
Devin Lloyd, University of Utah, junior, linebacker
Dillon Reinkensmeyer, University of Virginia, senior, offensive line
Terrell Jana, University of Virginia, senior, wide receiver
Race Porter, University of Washington, senior, punter
Madison Cone, University of Wisconsin, senior, defensive back
Justus Te'i, Utah State University, senior, defensive line
Andre Mintze, Vanderbilt University, senior, linebacker
Sage Surratt, Wake Forest University, junior, wide receiver
Jarret Doege, West Virginia University, junior, quarterback
Sam James, West Virginia University, junior, wide receiver
Sean Mahone, West Virginia University, senior, defensive back
Devon Key, Western Kentucky University, senior, defensive back
Juwuan Jones, Western Kentucky University, junior, defensive line
Mike Caliendo, Western Michigan University, senior, offensive line
Nominations for the Wuerffel Trophy are made by the respective universities' Sports Information Departments and will close on October 15. A current list of nominees can be found at www.wuerffeltrophy.org beginning on August 1. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 3 and finalists will be announced on Nov. 23.
The formal announcement of the 2020 recipient will be made at the National Football Foundation's festivities in New York City on December 8. The presentation of the 2020 Wuerffel Trophy will occur at the 52nd All Sports Association Awards Banquet on Feb. 19, 2021 in Fort Walton Beach.
Past recipients of the award are: Rudy Niswanger - LSU - 2005; Joel Penton - Ohio State - 2006; Paul Smith - Tulsa - 2008; Tim Tebow - Florida - 2008; Tim Hiller - Western Michigan - 2009; Sam Acho - Texas - 2010; Barrett Jones - Alabama - 2011; Matt Barkley - USC - 2012; Gabe Ikard - Oklahoma - 2013; Deterrian Shackelford - Ole Miss - 2014; Ty Darlington - Oklahoma - 2015; Trevor Knight - Texas A&M - 2016; Courtney Love - Kentucky; 2017; Drue Tranquill - Notre Dame; 2018; Jon Wassink - Western Michigan - 2019.
The Wuerffel Trophy is presented by Chick-fil-A® and is also supported by its corporate partners Dart Container Corporation/Solo Cup and Herff Jones.
The Wuerffel Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football.
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as "College Football's Premier Award for Community Service," is presented each February in Fort Walton Beach. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from the University of Florida, Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy exists to honor college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society, and inspire greater service in the world.
"It is so inspiring to see this record number of athletes being submitted for the award," said Wuerffel. "These young men truly represent college football's most impactful community service leaders. We are proud to honor them."
Georgia Southern Football led all FBS in 2018-19 in community service hours logged (verified by Helper Helper) and was second in the nation in 2019-20 before the pandemic shut things down. Werts was a huge part of that community service initiative. In previous off-seasons, he has led his off-season competition team (12 teammates) to over 515 hours of community service (517 total hours).
During his career, Werts has individually composed over 100 hours of community Service to such projects as: Mission Trip to Cuba with Athletes in Action, Boys & Girls Club volunteer, Elementary School Field Day – Fight Against Childhood Obesity, Habit for Humanity – helped to build houses for less fortunate, Bulloch County Back to School Drive, Community Food Bank through a church group, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes participant - to raise awareness of sexual violence against women, and Relay for Life.
2020 WUERFFEL TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH LIST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY UNIVERSITY)
Noah Hannon, Appalachian State University, senior, offensive line
Ethan Long, Arizona State University, sophomore, tight end
Andre Harris, Jr., Arkansas State University, junior, offensive line
Chandler Wooten, Auburn University, senior, linebacker
Brandon Martin, Ball State University, senior, linebacker
Terrel Bernard, Baylor University, junior, linebacker
Donte Harrington, Boise State University, senior, offensive line
Bracken El-Bakri, Brigham Young University, senior, defensive line
Darien Rencher, Clemson University, senior, running back
C.J. Brewer, Coastal Carolina University, senior, defensive line
Barry Wesley, Colorado State University, junior, offensive line
Rakavius Chambers, Duke University, senior, offensive line
Holton Ahlers, East Carolina University, junior, quarterback
Thomas Odukoya, Eastern Michigan University, senior, tight end
Jaiden Lars-Woodbey, Florida State University, sophomore, defensive back
Jack DeFoor, Georgia Institute of Technology, senior, offensive line
Shai Werts, Georgia Southern University, senior, quarterback
Harry Crider, Indiana University, senior, offensive line
Brock Purdy, Iowa State University, junior, quarterback
Skylar Thompson, Kansas State University, senior, quarterback
Dustin Crum, Kent State University, senior, quarterback
JaCoby Stevens, Louisiana State University, senior, defensive back
Joshua Mote, Louisiana Tech University, junior, offensive line
Reeves Blankenship, Louisiana Tech University, junior, long snapper
Brenden Knox, Marshall University, junior, running back
Jack Sorenson, Miami University, senior, wide receiver
Asher O'Hara, Middle Tennessee State University, junior, quarterback
Kobe Jones, Mississippi State University, senior, defensive line
Sage Doxtater, New Mexico State University, senior, offensive line
Trenton Gill, North Carolina State University, junior, punter
Master Teague III, Ohio State University, sophomore, running back
Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State University, junior, running back
Isaac Weaver, Old Dominion University, senior, offensive line
Isaac Hodgins, Oregon State University, junior, defensive line
Jaydon Grant, Oregon State University, junior, defensive back
Sean Clifford, Penn State University, junior, quarterback
Grant Hermanns, Purdue University, senior, offensive line
Christian Webb, San Jose State University, senior, linebacker
Shane Buechele, Southern Methodist University, senior, quarterback
Connor Wedington, Stanford University, senior, wide receiver
Isaiah Sanders, Stanford University, senior, quarterback
Treyjohn Butler, Stanford University, senior, defensive back
Kingsley Jonathan, Syracuse University, senior, defensive line
Isaiah Graham-Mobley, Temple University, senior, linebacker
Kellen Mond, Texas A&M University, senior, quarterback
Garret Wallow, Texas Christian University, senior, linebacker
Kellton Hollins, Texas Christian University, senior, offensive line
Zech McPhearson, Texas Tech University, senior, defensive back
Luke Whittemore, Troy University, junior, wide receiver
Sorrell Brown, Tulane University, sophomore, wide receiver
Joe Stephenson, United States Military Academy, senior, linebacker
Cameron Kinley, United States Naval Academy, senior, defensive back
Miller Forristall, University of Alabama, senior, tight end
Wilson Beaverstock, University of Alabama at Birmingham, sophomore, kicker
Colin Schooler, University of Arizona, senior, linebacker
Max Michel, University of Buffalo, sophomore, defensive line
Michael Saffell, University of California, senior, offensive line
Samuel Jackson, University of Central Florida, junior, offensive line
Blake Bacevich, University of Cincinnati, sophomore, defensive line
Colby Pursell, University of Colorado, junior, offensive line
Brian Keating, University of Connecticut, senior, long snapper
Dante Lang, University of Florida, sophomore, tight end
Eric Stokes, University of Georgia, junior, defensive back
Hekili Keliiliki, University of Hawai'i, junior, running back
Payton Turner, University of Houston, senior, defensive line
Doug Kramer, University of Illinois, senior, offensive line
Api Mane, University of Kansas, senior, offensive line
Chris Hughes, University of Kansas, senior, offensive line
Landon Young, University of Kentucky, senior, offensive line
Luke Fortner, University of Kentucky, senior, offensive line
Jalen Williams, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, senior, wide receiver
Jake Funk, University of Maryland, senior, running back
Cole McCubrey, University of Massachusetts, senior, linebacker
Solomon Siskind, University of Massachusetts, junior, tight end
Brady White, University of Memphis, senior, quarterback
Zach McCloud, University of Miami, senior, linebacker
Adam Shibley, University of Michigan, senior, linebacker
Tanner Morgan, University of Minnesota, junior, quarterback
Mac Brown, University of Mississippi, senior, punter
Kobie Whiteside, University of Missouri, senior, defensive line
Ben Stille, University of Nebraska, senior, defensive line
Lawson Hall, University of Nevada, senior, linebacker
Teton Saltes, University of New Mexico, senior, offensive line
Tyriq Harris, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, senior, defensive line
Deion Hair-Griffin, University of North Texas, senior, wide receiver/special teams
Daelin Hayes, University of Notre Dame, junior, defensive line
Caleb Kelly, University of Oklahoma, senior, linebacker
Brady Breeze, University of Oregon, senior, defensive back
Patrick Jones II, University of Pittsburgh, senior, defensive line
Brian Ankerson, University of South Alabama, junior, offensive line
Dylan Wonnum, University of South Carolina, junior, offensive line
KJ Sails, University of South Florida, senior, defensive back
Daniel Imatorbhebhe, University of Southern California, senior, tight end
Swayze Bozeman, University of Southern Mississippi, senior, linebacker
Trey Smith, University of Tennessee, senior, offensive line
Sam Ehlinger, University of Texas, senior, quarterback
Solomon Wise, University of Texas at San Antonio, senior, linebacker
Bailey Flint, University of Toledo, senior, punter
Akayleb Evans, University of Tulsa, junior, defensive back
Chris Paul, University of Tulsa, junior, offensive line
Devin Lloyd, University of Utah, junior, linebacker
Dillon Reinkensmeyer, University of Virginia, senior, offensive line
Terrell Jana, University of Virginia, senior, wide receiver
Race Porter, University of Washington, senior, punter
Madison Cone, University of Wisconsin, senior, defensive back
Justus Te'i, Utah State University, senior, defensive line
Andre Mintze, Vanderbilt University, senior, linebacker
Sage Surratt, Wake Forest University, junior, wide receiver
Jarret Doege, West Virginia University, junior, quarterback
Sam James, West Virginia University, junior, wide receiver
Sean Mahone, West Virginia University, senior, defensive back
Devon Key, Western Kentucky University, senior, defensive back
Juwuan Jones, Western Kentucky University, junior, defensive line
Mike Caliendo, Western Michigan University, senior, offensive line
Nominations for the Wuerffel Trophy are made by the respective universities' Sports Information Departments and will close on October 15. A current list of nominees can be found at www.wuerffeltrophy.org beginning on August 1. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 3 and finalists will be announced on Nov. 23.
The formal announcement of the 2020 recipient will be made at the National Football Foundation's festivities in New York City on December 8. The presentation of the 2020 Wuerffel Trophy will occur at the 52nd All Sports Association Awards Banquet on Feb. 19, 2021 in Fort Walton Beach.
Past recipients of the award are: Rudy Niswanger - LSU - 2005; Joel Penton - Ohio State - 2006; Paul Smith - Tulsa - 2008; Tim Tebow - Florida - 2008; Tim Hiller - Western Michigan - 2009; Sam Acho - Texas - 2010; Barrett Jones - Alabama - 2011; Matt Barkley - USC - 2012; Gabe Ikard - Oklahoma - 2013; Deterrian Shackelford - Ole Miss - 2014; Ty Darlington - Oklahoma - 2015; Trevor Knight - Texas A&M - 2016; Courtney Love - Kentucky; 2017; Drue Tranquill - Notre Dame; 2018; Jon Wassink - Western Michigan - 2019.
The Wuerffel Trophy is presented by Chick-fil-A® and is also supported by its corporate partners Dart Container Corporation/Solo Cup and Herff Jones.
The Wuerffel Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football.
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