10/21/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football
WACO, Texas -- Baylor fifth year safety Michael Allen has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, it was announced on Wednesday afternoon.
One of six co-captains on the 2026 BU roster, Allen has played in 34 career games, primarily serving as the team's lead blocker on kickoff returns. A native of Stillwell, Kan., he has returned four kicks in his career for 84 total yards, including a career long of 27 yards against Prairie View A&M in the 2026 home opener. A hybrid "player-coach" who sits in on defensive staff meetings throughout the week, Allen signals in defensive play calls while also playing on all phases of special teams for the Bears.
Off the field, Allen has dedicated over 100 hours of his time to work in the Waco community. From assisting in food preparation of school lunches to building homes for underserved areas of Waco, facilitating toy drives and reading to elementary school students, among many other service opportunities, Allen has been an active member in the community fostering relationships and serving those in need.
Perhaps his most notable work comes as Baylor's chapter leader for Uplifting Athletes, a national nonprofit that harnesses the power of sport to raise money and bring hope to people impacted by rare diseases. Supporters are able to pledge a monetary amount per rep that athletes complete at dedicated workouts, with all proceeds going to research for cures and treatments. For the last four years, Allen has organized and led fundraising events that raised more than $10,000 in support of rare disease research by recruiting teammates, campus partners and community members.
In the classroom, Allen holds a perfect 4.0 GPA in pursuit of a master's in business administration. He earned a finance and management degree from Baylor with a 3.96 GPA throughout his undergraduate career.
Allen has also been tabbed to the AFCA Good Works Team as a Wuerffel Trophy semifinalist and a William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist in 2026.
The full list of semifinalists includes: Allen, Arion Carter (Tennessee), Matt Craycraft (Duke), Camron Cooper (UTSA), Steven Demboski (Delaware), Mark Fletcher Jr. (Miami), Bray Hubbard (Alabama), Mason Heintschel (Pittsburgh), Hero Kanu (Texas), Lawson Luckie (Georgia), Jordan Marshall (Michigan), Maddux Madsen (Boise State), Leonard Moore (Notre Dame), Colton Phares (Appalachian State), Willie Rodriguez (Kentucky), Duce Robinson (Florida State), Isaiah Shirley (North Carolina State), Jordan Shipp (North Carolina), David Stone (Oklahoma) and Davis Warren (Stanford).
Three finalists will be named for the award on Dec. 15. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on March 11.
The winner of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year will also receive a $10,000 contribution in his name to his school's athletic scholarship fund. The contribution will be made by Jason Witten's SCORE Foundation, the official charity of Jason and his wife Michelle. The SCORE Foundation, founded in 2007, has positively impacted tens of thousands of children and families in Texas and Tennessee over the last 17 years. The foundation operates its nationally-recognized SCOREkeepers program, which places trained male mentors on staff to work with children at family violence shelters, at nine shelters in the two states.
One of six co-captains on the 2026 BU roster, Allen has played in 34 career games, primarily serving as the team's lead blocker on kickoff returns. A native of Stillwell, Kan., he has returned four kicks in his career for 84 total yards, including a career long of 27 yards against Prairie View A&M in the 2026 home opener. A hybrid "player-coach" who sits in on defensive staff meetings throughout the week, Allen signals in defensive play calls while also playing on all phases of special teams for the Bears.
Off the field, Allen has dedicated over 100 hours of his time to work in the Waco community. From assisting in food preparation of school lunches to building homes for underserved areas of Waco, facilitating toy drives and reading to elementary school students, among many other service opportunities, Allen has been an active member in the community fostering relationships and serving those in need.
Perhaps his most notable work comes as Baylor's chapter leader for Uplifting Athletes, a national nonprofit that harnesses the power of sport to raise money and bring hope to people impacted by rare diseases. Supporters are able to pledge a monetary amount per rep that athletes complete at dedicated workouts, with all proceeds going to research for cures and treatments. For the last four years, Allen has organized and led fundraising events that raised more than $10,000 in support of rare disease research by recruiting teammates, campus partners and community members.
In the classroom, Allen holds a perfect 4.0 GPA in pursuit of a master's in business administration. He earned a finance and management degree from Baylor with a 3.96 GPA throughout his undergraduate career.
Allen has also been tabbed to the AFCA Good Works Team as a Wuerffel Trophy semifinalist and a William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist in 2026.
The full list of semifinalists includes: Allen, Arion Carter (Tennessee), Matt Craycraft (Duke), Camron Cooper (UTSA), Steven Demboski (Delaware), Mark Fletcher Jr. (Miami), Bray Hubbard (Alabama), Mason Heintschel (Pittsburgh), Hero Kanu (Texas), Lawson Luckie (Georgia), Jordan Marshall (Michigan), Maddux Madsen (Boise State), Leonard Moore (Notre Dame), Colton Phares (Appalachian State), Willie Rodriguez (Kentucky), Duce Robinson (Florida State), Isaiah Shirley (North Carolina State), Jordan Shipp (North Carolina), David Stone (Oklahoma) and Davis Warren (Stanford).
Three finalists will be named for the award on Dec. 15. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on March 11.
The winner of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year will also receive a $10,000 contribution in his name to his school's athletic scholarship fund. The contribution will be made by Jason Witten's SCORE Foundation, the official charity of Jason and his wife Michelle. The SCORE Foundation, founded in 2007, has positively impacted tens of thousands of children and families in Texas and Tennessee over the last 17 years. The foundation operates its nationally-recognized SCOREkeepers program, which places trained male mentors on staff to work with children at family violence shelters, at nine shelters in the two states.
- BaylorBears.com -
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