ATLANTA (November 26, 2024) – Washington State kicker Dean Janikowski was named a finalist for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, College Football's premier award for community service.
 
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, College Football's Premier Award for Community Service, celebrates its 20th anniversary with the announcement of the 2024 finalists. Named after the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida, Danny Wuerffel, this prestigious award recognizes college football players who exemplify exceptional community service, academic excellence, and athletic performance. This year's finalists are Nick Dawkins, offensive line from Penn State, Dean Janikowski, kicker from Washington State and Jack Kiser, linebacker from Notre Dame.
 
"As we celebrate 20 years of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible student-athletes who have carried the torch of service and excellence," Danny Wuerffel shared. "This year's finalists are true embodiments of the values we celebrate, and have shown a remarkable commitment to service, education, and sportsmanship."
 
The 2024 recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on December 12th, airing on ESPN. The recipient will also be formally honored at the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala, February 1, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Additionally, the 2024 recipient will be invited to join Wuerffel in New York City to attend the Heisman Trophy ceremonies, including the press conference, televised announcement show, and celebration brunch.
 
Nick Dawkins, Penn State (OL)
Nick Dawkins, a senior offensive lineman at Penn State, is a leader on and off the field. Nick founded the Dawkins Family Foundation, which supports youth education and athletics, providing backpacks and school supplies to students in need. He also leads Uplifting Athletes in raising funds for rare disease research and mentors youth through programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and 2023 recipient of Penn State's Public Service Award, Nick is inspired by his late father, NBA legend Darryl Dawkins, and remains a devoted family member, particularly in support of his sister with Down Syndrome.
 
Dean Janikowski, Washington State, (K)
Dean Janikowski is a graduate student at Washington State University, where he has made an incredible impact through his academic achievements and community service. A First-Team All-Pac-12 selection, Dean is passionate about philanthropy. He founded the Heather Janikowski Foundation in hour of his late mother, raising more than $150,000 to support cancer research and patients. Since arriving at WSU, he has launched the "More Than a Kick" and "Kicking Cancer" initiatives, encouraging donations for each field goal and extra point he makes. In addition to organizing fundraising events like the Do It For Her 5k and Monserrate Memorial Hike, Dean has donated to people in need and used his platform to support cancer patients in his community.
 
Janikowski appeared in all 11 games this season and served as the team's primary field goal kicker, kicker on kickoffs and punter before recently giving up punting duties. Janikowski has connected on eight of 11 field goal attempts including a season-long 52 to send the game into overtime in the win over San Jose State. Janikowski has tallied 26 touchbacks on 52 kickoffs and averaged 42.7 yards-per-punt on 26 punts. The Fallbrook, Calif. native enters his final home game with a WSU record 175 career PAT, tied for fifth in program history with 43 made field goals and fourth in school history with 304 career points.
 
In the classroom, Janikowski was named to 2023 Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll with a 4.00 GPA while working towards his MBA, was named William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist, give to the nation's best scholar athlete.
 
Jack Kiser, Notre Dame (LB)
Jack Kiser is a linebacker from Notre Dame, known for his leadership in community service. He chairs the Cleats for a Cause initiative, raising funds for local charities through auctioned, custom-designed game cleats. Jack also led the Fighting Irish Fight for Life program, pairing pediatric patients with athletes and organizing fundraising efforts. Jack also supports Uplifting Athletes, helping with tax assistance for low-income individuals, and mentoring teammates to encourage community involvement. His dedication to service has made a lasting impact on both Notre Dame and the local community.

The 2024 finalists were selected by the Trophy's esteemed National Selection Committee from the 11 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® – all semifinalists for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. The finalist selection also included the fan vote from ESPN.com/Allstate. The 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team came from a record 178 nominees, representing players and coaches from colleges and universities across the country for their unwavering commitment to community service and their "good works" off the field.
 
"The Good Works Team goes above and beyond to serve others," said Troy Hawkes, Allstate executive vice president and general manager. "It's a tremendous honor to celebrate these finalists and their devotion to helping communities thrive."
 
Past recipients of the Wuerffel Trophy include: Rudy Niswanger – LSU – 2005; Joel Penton – Ohio State – 2006; Paul Smith – Tulsa – 2007; Tim Tebow – Florida – 2008; Tim Hiller – Western Michigan – 2009; Sam Acho – Texas – 2010; Barrett Jones – Alabama – 2011; Matt Barkley – USC – 2012; Gabe Ikard – Oklahoma – 2013; Deterrian Shackelford – Ole Miss – 2014; Ty Darlington – Oklahoma – 2015; Trevor Knight – Texas A&M – 2016; Courtney Love – Kentucky - 2017; Drue Tranquill – Notre Dame – 2018; Jon Wassink – Western Michigan – 2019; Teton Saltes – New Mexico – 2020; Isaiah Sanders – Stanford – 2021; Dillan Gibbons – Florida State – 2022; and Ladd McConkey – Georgia – 2023.
 
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 24 awards now boast more than 900 recipients, dating back to 1935. For more information on the NCFAA, visit NCFAA.org.
 
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, established in 2005, honors college football players who serve others, celebrates their impact, and inspire greater service in the world. A member of the National College Football Awards Association, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field. It is the first major award honoring the character of service to others. The trophy is named after Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Famer, former NFL quarterback, and renowned humanitarian Danny Wuerffel, whose life mission is to inspire greater service in the world. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the Gators' first National Football Championship as the team's star quarterback. The 1996 Heisman Trophy winner set 17 NCAA and Florida records and won a myriad of other awards including the Maxwell Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, and The William V. Campbell Trophy, presented to the nation's top scholar-athlete. As a nationally recognized humanitarian, Wuerffel inspires leaders to use their influence to make a positive impact and currently serves as President of the Wuerffel Foundation.
 
The Wuerffel Foundation is dedicated to supporting Danny Wuerffel's mission to inspire greater service and unity in the world, built on the three values of excellence, service and humility. As a recognized humanitarian, Danny mentors community leaders and connects them with philanthropic resources. The foundation annually presents the prestigious Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football's premier award for community service, and hosts the Desire Cup and PickleBowl events.
 
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads all conferences with 89 selections to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team since it began in 1992. The SEC is followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 55 selections and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 43 selections. Georgia is in first place with 24 honorees to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The Bulldogs are followed by Kentucky and Bethel (Minn.) with 18 honorees. Super Bowl XLII, XLVI and XLI champion quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning were members of the 2002 and 1997 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams, respectively.
 
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