Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Announces 2026 Nominees Including Campbell, Cousins and 30+ Student‑Athletes

More than three dozen college football players were named nominees for the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, a distinction that honors athletes who excel in the classroom, on the field and in community service. Among the first announced were defensive end Campbell and offensive lineman Cousins, whose schools highlighted their impact beyond the gridiron.

Nominees unveiled across conferences

The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), in partnership with Allstate, released the first wave of nominees on Tuesday. The list spans Power Five programs, Group of Five schools and even a Division I‑AA institution, underscoring the award’s national reach.

GOPSU Sports reported that Campbell and Cousins earned a spot on the ballot after leading charitable drives at their respective campuses and maintaining strong academic records gopsusports.com. Their schools emphasized that the athletes have "balanced rigorous athletic schedules with volunteer work that directly benefits local youth programs," a sentiment echoed in the official nomination language.

At the University of Kentucky, wide receiver Willie Rodriguez was singled out for his work with a regional food‑bank network, a project that began during his freshman year and now involves a team of volunteers from the football program ukathletics.com. The athletics department noted that Rodriguez "has become a role model for teammates, showing that service can be woven into daily practice routines."

Why it matters

The Good Works Team is more than a ceremonial accolade; it spotlights the broader responsibilities of student‑athletes. By highlighting service, the AFCA aims to reinforce the NCAA’s emphasis on the "student" component of the student‑athlete model. The nominees collectively represent a wide spectrum of initiatives—ranging from environmental clean‑ups to mentorship programs for at‑risk youth.

In a statement, the AFCA explained that the award "recognizes those who use their platform to make a lasting impact in their communities, while also excelling academically and athletically." This dual‑focus aligns with recent NCAA policy shifts that reward institutions for community engagement and graduation rates.

From a recruiting perspective, the visibility of the Good Works Team can influence prospective players who prioritize schools with strong service cultures. As college football continues to grapple with debates over compensation and athlete welfare, recognitions like this provide a narrative that celebrates holistic development.

Conference and school reactions

The Mountain West Conference announced that seven of its member schools have nominees on the 2026 list, though the release did not disclose individual names mountainwestconference.com. The conference praised the nominees for "embodying the spirit of the Good Works program and setting a standard for future athletes in the league."

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) also released a roster of its own student‑athletes, noting that the conference’s nominees span football, basketball and other sports, illustrating the interdisciplinary nature of community service across the ACC theacc.com. While specific football players were not enumerated in the brief, the ACC highlighted that each nominee has demonstrated "leadership on campus and a commitment to service that reflects the values of the conference."

Florida’s head football coach offered praise for offensive tackle Graham, whose nomination was announced by the Gators’ athletic department floridagators.com. The coach said Graham "sets the tone in the locker room, showing that dedication to community projects is as important as preparation for the next game."

At UC Davis, the athletics office highlighted running back Zaire Collier for his work with a local youth soccer league, calling his involvement "a testament to the power of student‑athletes to inspire the next generation" ucdavisathletics.com. Similarly, the University of South Carolina celebrated safety Harbor for organizing a statewide blood‑drive campaign, noting that his leadership "has mobilized hundreds of volunteers across the state."

University of Wyoming’s football program announced that defensive back Hughes was a nominee after spearheading a clean‑water initiative in Laramie uwyoathletics.com. The program’s director remarked that Hughes "leverages his platform to address critical environmental issues, a model for all student‑athletes."

Rutgers University’s release highlighted linebacker O’Connor for his mentorship of middle‑schoolers in Newark, describing his effort as "a bridge between the campus and the community that fosters mutual growth" rutgersathletics.com. The athletics director added that O’Connor’s academic achievements complement his service work, embodying the award’s criteria.

What’s next for the nominees?

The AFCA will narrow the field to a final roster of 12 players later this summer, after reviewing each nominee’s academic transcripts, community‑service logs and on‑field performance metrics. Those selected will be honored at the AFCA Good Works Team Awards ceremony, scheduled to coincide with the annual AFCA National Convention in August.

Nominees are encouraged to continue their service projects throughout the summer, as the AFCA will consider ongoing impact when making final selections. Schools are also planning local events to showcase their athletes’ initiatives, hoping to generate additional community support and media attention.

Beyond the awards ceremony, the AFCA plans to publish a comprehensive report on the nominees’ projects, aiming to provide a blueprint for other programs seeking to integrate service into their athletic departments. The organization hopes the visibility will inspire more student‑athletes to pursue community‑oriented goals, reinforcing the idea that success on the field can coexist with meaningful off‑field contributions.