Walker Nominated for 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

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NORTHBROOK, Ill., July 20, 2026 – Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) today named 175 nominees for the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, recognizing student-athletes and head coaches from every level of college football who are making an impact through community service, academic achievement and leadership. Among these nominees is redshirt junior safety DJ Walker.

Walker (Aliquippa, Pa.) captained the 2025 squad, starting in all 13 games. He tallied 61 tackles, including 37 solo stops and 6 tackles for a loss. On the season, Walker recorded two interceptions and one pass breakup. His first interception came against Bowling Green (Sept. 27) and his second against UNLV in the Scooters Coffee Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23).

For the first time in the award's 35-year history, a female student-athlete is among the nominees. Gianna Bennett, a kicker at Northwestern College in Iowa, earned a nomination after helping raise $40,000 for a maternal health education campaign that provides expectant parents with potentially life-saving information to support healthy pregnancies.

What is the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team?
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognizes college football student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service, academics and athletics. Established in 1992 and presented by Allstate since 2008, the program honors players who use their platforms to strengthen communities and support causes important to them.

What causes are this year's nominees supporting?
This year's nominees are tackling a wide range of challenges in communities across the United States and beyond. Their efforts include youth mentorship, maternal health awareness, disability inclusion, childhood cancer research, clean water access and support for military veterans.

What makes the 2026 nominee class unique?
From head coaches building cultures of service to student-athletes making an impact in their own communities and around the world, this year's nominees are creating meaningful change. Their efforts include helping raise a record $18.8 million for childhood cancer research, delivering more than 10,000 hours of tutoring and generating over $27,000 for World War II veterans.

How is the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team selected?
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 nominations from across the country. Voters evaluate 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 the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) ranks, and one honorary head coach.

Who are the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominees?
The 2026 nominee class includes student-athletes and coaches from every level of college football competition.

175 total nominees, including 113 FBS players, 49 student-athletes from the FCS, Divisions II, III and NAIA ranks, and 13 head coach nominees.
First female nominee in the program's 35-year history.
Big Ten leads all conferences with 21 nominees, followed by the ACC with 16. The SEC and Big 12 each have 15 nominees.

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Walker Nominated for 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

Players Mentioned

DJ Walker

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