Belford Named to 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist

One of the nation's leading football players giving back to his local community is on the Flames' roster.

Today, Liberty running back Jaylin Belford has been named to the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and is one of 22 semifinalists for the 2026 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.

Joining Belford on the semifinalist listing is 10 other FBS players and 11 players from the FCS, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA levels.

Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) named 22 college football players and one honorary coach (BYU's Kalani Sitake) to the 2026 Good Works Team, one of the sport's most prestigious honors for leadership in community service, academics and athletics.

This year's team was selected from 162 nominees and includes representatives from every level of college football.

This year's class contributed more than 12,000 hours of volunteer service supporting community causes ranging from healthcare to youth mentorship and included the first female honoree in program history.

Fans can view the team roster and vote for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient and Good Works Team captain at www.ESPN.com/Allstate through November 3. The recipient will be announced during The Home Depot College Football awards on December 11.

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team reflects Allstate's decades-long commitment to empower student-athletes to lead in their communities.

The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy honors college football's most impactful leaders in community service – recognizing the FBS player who best combines exemplary service with leadership and achievement on and off the field.

Named for 1996 National Championship–winning University of Florida quarterback and renowned humanitarian Danny Wuerffel, the award reflects his legacy of using influence to serve others and make a positive impact.

Belford is currently 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.

Football Bowl Subdivisions (FBS) Selections
Noah Fifita (Arizona)
Michael Allen (Baylor)
Gideon Davidson (Clemson)
Micah Sahakian (Duke)
Jaylin Belford (Liberty)
Leonard Moore (Notre Dame)
Mudia Reuben (South Florida)
Edwin Spillman (Tennessee)
Colin Simmons (Texas)
Marcus Ratcliffe (Texas A&M)
Matt Hofer (Toledo)

Combined Divisions (FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA) Selections
L'Shawn Taylor (Bemidji State)
Jaegar Ash (Bethel [Minnesota])
Peyton Ritzert (Central College)
Josh Fedd (Harvard)
Shea Ruddy (Hillsdale College)
Troy Mrukowski (John Carroll)
Browning Trainer (Johns Hopkins)
Luke Paulsen (Morningside)
Gianna Bennett (Northwestern College)
Sam Nolan (Saint John's University [Minnesota])
JayJay Jordan (Slippery Rock)

Vote for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Recipient and Good Works Team Captain
For the third year, Allstate and the Wuerffel Foundation will award the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy to one of the team's 11 FBS semifinalists during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 11. The recipient also serves as the Good Works Team captain.

Fans can cast their vote through November 3 at www.ESPN.com/Allstate. Candidates for The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy will be narrowed to three finalists, announced in November, and selected by a national voting committee of college football leaders, former players, coaches and members of the media.

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Belford Named to 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist

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Jaylin Belford

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