Belford Nominated for 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
7/20/2026 1:25:00 PM | Football
A standout for the Flames on the field and in the community, Liberty running back Jaylin Belford has been nominated for the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Earlier today, Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced the 175 nominees for the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
This award recognizes student-athletes and head coaches from every level of college football who are making an impact through community service, academic achievement and leadership.
Today's nominee list includes 113 FBS players, 49 student-athletes from the FCS, Divisions II, III and NAIA ranks and 13 head coach nominees.
Belford was one of five players from Conference USA named to the nominee list. He was joined by Steven Demboski (OL, Delaware), Nick Session (S, New Mexico State), Cam'ron Lacy (WR, MTSU) and Shamir Sterlin (DB, FIU).
Belford is entering his fifth season with the Flames. He has served as a reserve running back and been a member of the Flames' special teams units for the last three seasons. Last year, he had two rushing attempts for two yards against Delaware.
The hometown native of Lynchburg, Va., will serve as Liberty's president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.) during the 2026-27 academic year. He served the committee as vice president last year and has been nominated for the Conference USA S.A.A.C. representative.
Belford completed his undergraduate degree in sport management in May 2026. He will begin a master's degree program this fall.
Off the gridiron, Belford has been active in the local Lynchburg community, totaling more than 200 hours of community service.
Belford's activities include the following community service programs: Dollar Makes a Difference (school supply collection for Lynchburg City schools), Learn Like Liberty (reading program with second graders), ASPIRE Class (helping special needs high school students), Trick or Treat so Others Can Eat (canned good drive around Halloween), Chocolate Bingo (bingo at local retirement community), Hop on Pop (reading program with Lynchburg city schools), Literacy Pep Rallies (high school pep rallies to encourage reading), Football Career Day (Super Bowl themed career day at local elementary schools), Play with an Athlete Day (football station at local sports clinic).
The highlight of Belford's community service efforts was his leadership around the Hop on Pop program. This event is Liberty Athletics' largest reading program of the year, with Liberty student-athletes taking over Lynchburg City Schools.
Liberty's student-athletes read to each classroom, dress up in Dr. Seuss themed outfits, encourage the students to love literacy and each classroom receives donations of books to add to their classroom library.
Belford encouraged over 40 football players to participate as readers and characters, as well as inspiring his team to donate over $2,000 to help fund the event last spring.
The 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team will be announced in September and will 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 review 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.
2026 Football Season Ticket Information
Season tickets are on sale now for the 2026 season! Buying season tickets remains the best cost-saving option to watch Flames Football at Williams Stadium in 2026.
Starting at just $90, fans can save up to 56 percent by purchasing season tickets. Purchase tickets by going to www.LUFootball.com or calling/texting the Flames Ticket Office at (434) 592-5015.
Limited premium seating inventory remains available for club seats as well as cabanas. If you are interested, please contact the Flames Club at (434) 582-2582.
Earlier today, Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced the 175 nominees for the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
This award recognizes student-athletes and head coaches from every level of college football who are making an impact through community service, academic achievement and leadership.
Today's nominee list includes 113 FBS players, 49 student-athletes from the FCS, Divisions II, III and NAIA ranks and 13 head coach nominees.
Belford was one of five players from Conference USA named to the nominee list. He was joined by Steven Demboski (OL, Delaware), Nick Session (S, New Mexico State), Cam'ron Lacy (WR, MTSU) and Shamir Sterlin (DB, FIU).
Belford is entering his fifth season with the Flames. He has served as a reserve running back and been a member of the Flames' special teams units for the last three seasons. Last year, he had two rushing attempts for two yards against Delaware.
The hometown native of Lynchburg, Va., will serve as Liberty's president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.) during the 2026-27 academic year. He served the committee as vice president last year and has been nominated for the Conference USA S.A.A.C. representative.
Belford completed his undergraduate degree in sport management in May 2026. He will begin a master's degree program this fall.
Off the gridiron, Belford has been active in the local Lynchburg community, totaling more than 200 hours of community service.
Belford's activities include the following community service programs: Dollar Makes a Difference (school supply collection for Lynchburg City schools), Learn Like Liberty (reading program with second graders), ASPIRE Class (helping special needs high school students), Trick or Treat so Others Can Eat (canned good drive around Halloween), Chocolate Bingo (bingo at local retirement community), Hop on Pop (reading program with Lynchburg city schools), Literacy Pep Rallies (high school pep rallies to encourage reading), Football Career Day (Super Bowl themed career day at local elementary schools), Play with an Athlete Day (football station at local sports clinic).
The highlight of Belford's community service efforts was his leadership around the Hop on Pop program. This event is Liberty Athletics' largest reading program of the year, with Liberty student-athletes taking over Lynchburg City Schools.
Liberty's student-athletes read to each classroom, dress up in Dr. Seuss themed outfits, encourage the students to love literacy and each classroom receives donations of books to add to their classroom library.
Belford encouraged over 40 football players to participate as readers and characters, as well as inspiring his team to donate over $2,000 to help fund the event last spring.
The 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team will be announced in September and will 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 review 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.
2026 Football Season Ticket Information
Season tickets are on sale now for the 2026 season! Buying season tickets remains the best cost-saving option to watch Flames Football at Williams Stadium in 2026.
Starting at just $90, fans can save up to 56 percent by purchasing season tickets. Purchase tickets by going to www.LUFootball.com or calling/texting the Flames Ticket Office at (434) 592-5015.
Limited premium seating inventory remains available for club seats as well as cabanas. If you are interested, please contact the Flames Club at (434) 582-2582.
Players Mentioned
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