Marshall’s Yarachek named to Wuerffel watch list
Published 12:23 am Thursday, July 14, 2016
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall tight end Ryan Yurachek was named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List and the AFCA Good Works Team Wednesday.
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service,” is presented annually by the All Sports Association in Fort Walton Beach Florida.
Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
Voting for the Wuerffel Trophy is performed by a National Selection Committee that includes college football television and print media, industry notables, former head coaches and prior Wuerffel Trophy recipients.
Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 3 and finalists will be announced on Nov. 23.
The formal announcement of the 2016 recipient will be on December 6 at the National Football Foundation’s press conference in New York City.
The presentation of the 2016 Wuerffel Trophy will occur at the 48th Annual All Sports Association Awards Banquet on Feb. 10, 2017, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
The AFCA Good Works Team pays tribute to these stories of good and the student-athletes who have dedicated countless hours towards helping others.
From donating bone marrow to save a stranger’s life, to helping build a school in a rural village overseas, the players nominated to the 25th anniversary team have demonstrated a unique commitment to improving their communities.
In honor of the 25th anniversary, Allstate and the AFCA will add three additional spots to this year’s team and announce a final roster of 25 members in September.
For the first time in the award’s history, the AFCA Good Works Team will be comprised of 12 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, 12 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA and an honorary head coach.
Once the final team members are announced in September, fans are encouraged to visit the AFCA Good Works Team website on ESPN.com, featuring profiles and images of the players, for the opportunity to vote for the 2016 AFCA Good Works Team Captain.
In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and the AFCA, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing.
Yurachek had 44 catches for 417 yards and nine touchdowns last year, a total that led all Thundering Herd non-kickers in scoring, and was named to the league’s 2015-16 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
Last week, he was named to the John Mackey Award Watch List. Last month, Athlon selected him for its preseason All-Conference USA second team.