ACC and Six Colleges Nominate Student‑Athletes for 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

The Atlantic Coast Conference announced that its student‑athletes have been nominated for the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, joining nominees from Carroll College, the University of Wyoming, NC State, Boston College and the University of California, Berkeley. The selections underscore a growing emphasis on service and leadership among college athletes nationwide.

Nominees across the nation

The ACC release confirmed that several of its student‑athletes earned spots on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee list for 2026, though the statement did not enumerate individual names Atlantic Coast Conference. In parallel, five schools issued their own press releases highlighting their representatives.

Carroll College publicized that senior linebacker Jordan Gross secured a nomination after a season marked by community outreach projects in the local area Carroll College Athletics. The University of Wyoming announced that defensive back Hughes earned a spot among the nominees, citing his involvement with youth mentorship programs on the campus and in Laramie University of Wyoming Athletics. NC State’s announcement centered on wide receiver Isaiah Shirley, whose volunteer work with local food banks and academic tutoring earned him a place on the list NC State University Athletics. Boston College highlighted senior safety Josiah Griffin, noting his leadership of a campus‑wide blood‑drive initiative and his role in a mentorship network for at‑risk students Boston College Athletics. Finally, the University of California, Berkeley (California Golden Bears) celebrated senior defensive end Jordan King for his participation in environmental clean‑up projects and his advocacy for sustainable practices on campus California Golden Bears Athletics.

Why it matters

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, sponsored by the American Football Coaches Association and Allstate, recognizes college football players who demonstrate “exemplary community service, academic achievement and on‑field performance.” While the award has existed for over a decade, the 2026 nominee pool reflects a broader geographic and institutional spread, moving beyond traditional Power‑Five schools to include a Division III program (Carroll College) and a Mountain West institution (Wyoming). This diversification signals that the culture of service is permeating all levels of collegiate football.

For the ACC, a conference that commands substantial media attention, the nomination of its athletes reinforces the league’s public‑relations narrative that emphasizes “student‑first” values. The conference’s statement framed the nominations as evidence that “our athletes excel both on the field and in their communities” Atlantic Coast Conference. Such messaging aligns with the NCAA’s recent emphasis on holistic development, which encourages institutions to track and promote community‑service hours as part of student‑athlete progress reports.

At the individual school level, the nominations serve multiple strategic purposes. First, they provide recruiting advantages; prospective athletes often cite community‑service opportunities as a factor in their college decisions. Second, they enhance alumni engagement, as former players and donors are drawn to stories of current athletes giving back. Third, they bolster the institutions’ brand equity, positioning each university as a civic leader in its region.

Reactions from campuses and beyond

University officials offered uniformly positive remarks. Carroll College’s athletic director emphasized that “Jordan Gross embodies the spirit of service that defines our program,” while the University of Wyoming’s head coach highlighted Hughes’ “commitment to mentoring the next generation,” according to their respective releases Carroll College Athletics University of Wyoming Athletics. NC State’s communications office noted that “Isaiah Shirley’s dedication off the field matches his on‑field intensity,” a sentiment echoed by Boston College’s sports information director, who called Griffin “a role model for his teammates and the wider campus community” NC State University Athletics Boston College Athletics. California’s announcement praised King’s “leadership in sustainability initiatives,” underscoring the university’s broader environmental goals California Golden Bears Athletics.

Outside the institutions, the AFCA’s national spokesperson remarked that the 2026 nominee slate “demonstrates the powerful impact student‑athletes can have when they leverage their platforms for good.” No dissenting opinions were recorded in the source material.

What’s next for the nominees

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team will be finalized later this year, with the winning roster announced at the AFCA National Convention in early 2027. Nominees will continue their community projects throughout the remainder of the football season, and many schools plan to spotlight their nominees during home games and on social‑media channels.

Beyond the award, each athlete’s involvement is expected to influence ongoing campus initiatives. Carroll College intends to expand its youth‑sports clinic, leveraging Gross’s experience. Wyoming will continue its mentorship program, with Hughes slated to mentor incoming freshmen. NC State plans to partner with local food banks for a “game‑day food drive” inspired by Shirley’s efforts. Boston College aims to scale Griffin’s blood‑drive model to other student organizations, and California will incorporate King’s sustainability ideas into its facilities‑management plan.

For the ACC, the conference will likely use the nominations in its upcoming “Student‑Athlete Service” campaign, highlighting stories from across its member schools. The broader implication is a continued push toward integrating service learning into athletic departments, a trend that may reshape how success is measured in college football beyond win‑loss records.