FB's Michael Allen Named to Allstate AFCA Good Works Team as Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist
9/15/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football
Fifth-year senior one of 11 semifinalists for college football’s premier community service award
CHICAGO – Baylor football fifth-year senior safety Michael Allen has been named to the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and a Wuerffel Trophy semifinalist, as announced Tuesday by Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
Recognizing their commitment to service, academic achievement and athletic excellence, this year's team was selected from 162 nominees and includes representatives from every level of college football. One student-athlete will be selected as team captain and also receive the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. The entire Good Works Team will be recognized at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 15, 2027.
This year's class includes the first female student-athlete selected in the program's history in Northwestern College kicker Gianna Bennett. Beyond their accomplishments on the field, this year's honorees contributed more than 12,000 hours of volunteer service, raised more than $100,000 for charitable causes, launched seven community initiatives and foundations and used their NIL earnings to support causes they care about.
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 30 career games, primarily serving as the team's lead blocker on kickoff returns. 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. After breaking his arm on a first-quarter kick return at Oklahoma State in 2025, 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.
For the third consecutive year, Allstate and the Wuerffel Foundation will award the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy to one of the team's 11 FBS semifinalists during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 11. The recipient also serves as the Good Works Team captain.
Fans can cast their vote through Nov. 3 at ESPN.com/Allstate. Candidates for the Wuerffel Trophy will be narrowed to three finalists, announced in November, and selected by a national voting committee of college football leaders, former players, coaches and members of the media.
To stay up to date on all things Baylor football, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BUFootball.
2026-27 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team:
FBS
Noah Fifita, Arizona
Michael Allen, Baylor
Gideon Davidson, Clemson
Micah Sahakian, Duke
Jaylin Belford, Liberty
Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
Mudia Reuben, South Florida
Edwin Spillman, Tennessee
Colin Simmons, Texas
Marcus Ratcliffe, Texas A&M
Matt Hofer, Toledo
Combined Divisions
L'Shawn Taylor, Bemidji State
Jaegar Ash, Bethel
Peyton Ritzert, Central College
Josh Fedd, Harvard
Shea Ruddy, Hillsdale College
Troy Mrukowski, John Carroll
Browning Trainer, Johns Hopkins
Luke Paulsen, Morningside
Gianna Bennett, Northwestern College
Sam Nolan, Saint John's (MN)
JayJay Jordan, Slippery Rock
Head Coach
Kalani Sitake, BYU
Recognizing their commitment to service, academic achievement and athletic excellence, this year's team was selected from 162 nominees and includes representatives from every level of college football. One student-athlete will be selected as team captain and also receive the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. The entire Good Works Team will be recognized at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 15, 2027.
This year's class includes the first female student-athlete selected in the program's history in Northwestern College kicker Gianna Bennett. Beyond their accomplishments on the field, this year's honorees contributed more than 12,000 hours of volunteer service, raised more than $100,000 for charitable causes, launched seven community initiatives and foundations and used their NIL earnings to support causes they care about.
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 30 career games, primarily serving as the team's lead blocker on kickoff returns. 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. After breaking his arm on a first-quarter kick return at Oklahoma State in 2025, 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.
For the third consecutive year, Allstate and the Wuerffel Foundation will award the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy to one of the team's 11 FBS semifinalists during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 11. The recipient also serves as the Good Works Team captain.
Fans can cast their vote through Nov. 3 at ESPN.com/Allstate. Candidates for the Wuerffel Trophy will be narrowed to three finalists, announced in November, and selected by a national voting committee of college football leaders, former players, coaches and members of the media.
To stay up to date on all things Baylor football, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BUFootball.
2026-27 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team:
FBS
Noah Fifita, Arizona
Michael Allen, Baylor
Gideon Davidson, Clemson
Micah Sahakian, Duke
Jaylin Belford, Liberty
Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
Mudia Reuben, South Florida
Edwin Spillman, Tennessee
Colin Simmons, Texas
Marcus Ratcliffe, Texas A&M
Matt Hofer, Toledo
Combined Divisions
L'Shawn Taylor, Bemidji State
Jaegar Ash, Bethel
Peyton Ritzert, Central College
Josh Fedd, Harvard
Shea Ruddy, Hillsdale College
Troy Mrukowski, John Carroll
Browning Trainer, Johns Hopkins
Luke Paulsen, Morningside
Gianna Bennett, Northwestern College
Sam Nolan, Saint John's (MN)
JayJay Jordan, Slippery Rock
Head Coach
Kalani Sitake, BYU
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