Delaware’s Seney Joins Nationwide Field of AFCA Good Works Team Nominees

Delaware safety Seney was announced as a nominee for the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, joining a growing list of college football players recognized for off‑field impact Delaware Gazette. The nomination places Seney among athletes from more than a dozen programs who have been highlighted for community service, academic achievement and on‑field performance.

Core developments

The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), in partnership with Allstate, released its 2026 Good Works Team nominees this week. In addition to Seney, the list includes Mark Johnson of Valparaiso University valpoathletics.com, quarterback Jones from East Carolina University East Carolina University Athletics, and Illinois State defensive back Kaplan Illinois State University Athletics. Iowa State’s Raynor was also named Iowa State Athletics, as was TCU’s defensive lineman Din‑Mbuh TCU Athletics. Florida State announced Robinson as its nominee seminoles.com, while UCLA recognized Muagututi’a UCLA Bruins. The University of Richmond highlighted Glassmyer University of Richmond Athletics, and North Carolina named Shipp University of North Carolina Athletics. NC State’s Isaiah Shirley earned a spot NC State University Athletics, and the Florida Gators put forward Graham Florida Gators. Rutgers added O’Connor Rutgers University Athletics, Washington listed Landen Hatchett University of Washington Athletics, and Boise State’s Taylor was recognized bsubeavers.com. Each institution issued a brief press release or news article confirming the nomination.

All of the nominees are currently active players in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision or Football Championship Subdivision, and each has been cited by their respective athletic departments for a blend of athletic contribution and community involvement. While the specific projects vary—ranging from youth mentorship programs to charitable fundraising—the common thread is a demonstrated commitment to using the platform of college football to serve local communities.

Why it matters

The Good Works Team is more than a ceremonial accolade; it signals to recruits, donors and fans that a program values character as much as competition. The AFCA’s partnership with Allstate, a long‑time supporter of community‑service initiatives, lends national visibility to the players’ off‑field efforts. For schools like Delaware, the nomination offers a tangible example of how athletes can embody the university’s broader mission of service and leadership Delaware Gazette. Moreover, the nomination process often influences future award considerations, such as the William V. Campbell Trophy, which honors the top scholar‑athlete in college football.

From a broader perspective, the Good Works Team highlights the evolving role of student‑athletes in the public sphere. As the NCAA and individual conferences place increasing emphasis on holistic development, recognitions like the AFCA Good Works Team reinforce the expectation that players will be active citizens. The spread of nominees across geographic regions—from the Pacific Northwest (Washington) to the Southeast (Florida State, Florida) and the Midwest (Illinois State, Iowa State)—illustrates that community engagement is a nationwide trend rather than a regional anomaly.

Reactions

University communications departments have uniformly praised the nominees. Delaware’s athletic office described Seney’s nomination as “a testament to his dedication both on the field and in the community” Delaware Gazette. Valparaiso highlighted Johnson’s “leadership in local youth programs” valpoathletics.com, while East Carolina’s release noted Jones’s “commitment to service projects that benefit the Greenville area” East Carolina University Athletics. Similar language appeared in each announcement, emphasizing the players’ role as ambassadors for their schools. No dissenting viewpoints were reported, and the articles did not include direct quotations from coaches or the athletes themselves.

What’s next

The AFCA will convene a selection committee later this summer to narrow the nominee pool to a final Good Works Team roster. Those selected will be honored at the AFCA Good Works Awards ceremony, typically held in conjunction with the association’s annual convention in August. For the nominees, the process provides an additional platform to showcase ongoing service projects and may open doors to future speaking engagements or community‑leadership roles after graduation. Fans and alumni will likely track the outcomes closely, as the award adds a layer of prestige to the programs involved.

In the meantime, each school plans to promote the nominees throughout the upcoming season, integrating their service narratives into game‑day programs, social‑media campaigns and local outreach events. The heightened exposure can amplify fundraising efforts for the charities tied to each player’s work, creating a virtuous cycle of community benefit and athletic recognition.