FB's Michael Allen Named AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
7/20/2026 11:30:00 AM | Football
Allen is one of 162 student-athletes recognized for leadership in service, academics and athletics
NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Baylor football fifth-year senior safety Michael Allen has been nominated for the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, as announced Monday by Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
Allen is one of 162 college football student-athletes recognized for their impact through community service, academic achievement and leadership. Established in 1992 and presented by Allstate since 2008, the Good Works Team honors players who use their platforms to strengthen communities and support causes important to them.
One of the most highly regarded leaders on the Bears' roster, 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.
Allen has played in 28 career games, primarily serving as the team's lead blocker on kickoff returns. He has returned three kicks in his career for 57 total yards, including a career long of 26 yards at SMU last season. After breaking his arm on a first-quarter kick return at Oklahoma State, Allen remained in the game and played through the pain before missing the next three weeks to recover from the injury.
Off the field, 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.
The 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team will be announced in September and include 22 student-athletes and one honorary head coach. One student-athlete will also be selected as team captain and receive the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.
A selection panel composed of former Good Works Team members, college football coaches, journalists and other leaders connected to the award reviews all nominations and evaluates candidates based on the breadth and depth of their community service, demonstrated leadership, academic achievement and the measurable impact they have had on the people and causes they serve. The panel then selects 11 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players (FBS), 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III and NAIA ranks, and one honorary head coach.
Baylor opens its 2026 season in the Aflac Kickoff Game against Auburn at 2:30 p.m. CT on September 5 in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with national coverage provided by ABC. BU returns to Waco on September 12 to start a three-game homestand at McLane Stadium against Prairie View A&M, then hosts Louisiana Tech a week later and Colorado on September 26 to begin conference action.
To stay up to date on all things Baylor football, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BUFootball.
Allen is one of 162 college football student-athletes recognized for their impact through community service, academic achievement and leadership. Established in 1992 and presented by Allstate since 2008, the Good Works Team honors players who use their platforms to strengthen communities and support causes important to them.
One of the most highly regarded leaders on the Bears' roster, 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.
Allen has played in 28 career games, primarily serving as the team's lead blocker on kickoff returns. He has returned three kicks in his career for 57 total yards, including a career long of 26 yards at SMU last season. After breaking his arm on a first-quarter kick return at Oklahoma State, Allen remained in the game and played through the pain before missing the next three weeks to recover from the injury.
Off the field, 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.
The 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team will be announced in September and include 22 student-athletes and one honorary head coach. One student-athlete will also be selected as team captain and receive the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.
A selection panel composed of former Good Works Team members, college football coaches, journalists and other leaders connected to the award reviews all nominations and evaluates candidates based on the breadth and depth of their community service, demonstrated leadership, academic achievement and the measurable impact they have had on the people and causes they serve. The panel then selects 11 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players (FBS), 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III and NAIA ranks, and one honorary head coach.
Baylor opens its 2026 season in the Aflac Kickoff Game against Auburn at 2:30 p.m. CT on September 5 in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with national coverage provided by ABC. BU returns to Waco on September 12 to start a three-game homestand at McLane Stadium against Prairie View A&M, then hosts Louisiana Tech a week later and Colorado on September 26 to begin conference action.
To stay up to date on all things Baylor football, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BUFootball.
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