Courtesy of WKU Athletics
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Football wide receiver Dalvin Smith was included on the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List for the 2024 season, the Wuerffel Foundation announced Thursday.
College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service and one of the most meaningful awards in collegiate sports, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida who parlayed his success on the football field into a lifetime of service. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy embodies Wuerffel’s commitment to being a humanitarian, while honoring student-athletes who are inspired to serve others and make positive impacts on society. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the trophy’s founding, and the foundation will recognize the first nineteen recipients throughout the fall season.
This year’s watch list consists of a record 111 nominees representing players from college football’s Football Bowl Subdivision. Smith is one of five representatives from CUSA.
“I am deeply honored to see such outstanding individuals nominated for this year’s Allstate Wuerffel Trophy,” Wuerffel said. “Their commitment to serving others and making a positive impact in their communities is truly inspiring. Throughout my life and career, I have always believed in the importance of putting others before yourself and striving to make a difference. These nominees exemplify those values, and I am proud to celebrate their dedication to humanitarian efforts and selfless service.”
Smith had already been recognized as an AFCA Good Works Team nominee and a member of the Shrine Bowl 1000 Watchlist.
The Glasgow, Kentucky, native enters his sixth season with the WKU Football program and is expected to be a big contributor in the receivers room. Smith appeared in 11 games with nine starts at receiver during the 2023 season for the Hilltoppers and finished as WKU’s second-leading receiver with 513 yards and six touchdowns on 50 catches. He posted a season-high three touchdowns in the Famous Toastery Bowl win, including two one-handed grabs, as well as a season-high nine catches in the win.
Smith has a combined nine service hours over the past year. He participated in WKU’s “High Five Friday” program, where student-athletes go to local schools and greet the students to start the day. He has also been a regular participant in the “Pass It On” program, where student-athletes go to local youth organizations and help coach basketball. Smith also participated in the “Dance Big Red” program – a student-led dance fundraising event at WKU to support Norton Children’s Hospital. In addition, Smith has made 12 appearances at nonprofit organizations this spring through Red Towel Trust events.
Announced recently, the Wuerffel Foundation partnered with Allstate to unify college football’s highest community service honors. Eleven of the Watch List nominees will be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and will be Allstate Wuerffel Trophy semifinalists.
The 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists and recipient will be selected by an illustrious national voting committee, including a fan vote component, and announced on ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 12th. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will take place Feb. 1, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
WKU is scheduled to kick off the 2024 season with a 6 p.m. CT game at Alabama on Saturday, Aug. 31. The Hilltoppers will host Eastern Kentucky for their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m. CT, and will open CUSA play the following week with a 6 p.m. CT game at Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Sept. 14.
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