AUBURN, Ala. – Senior kicker Anders Carlson was named to the 31st Allstate AFCA Good Works Team on Monday. The team is made up of 22 college football student-athletes and an honorary head coach for outstanding contributions to their communities.
Team officials from across the country nominated players from their schools for the prestigious award based on their work off the field. A list of 114 nominees was announced in July before the final 22-player roster was chosen by the selection panel, which includes former Good Works Team players, journalists and officials from Allstate and the AFCA. The panel looks for players that demonstrate exceptional leadership on and off the football field.
Carlson is the fourth Auburn player since 2012 to make the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, joining his brother, Daniel Carlson (2017), Jonathan Wallace (2015) and Philip Lutzenkirchen (2012). A total of seven Tigers have made the team since its inception in 1992.
"It's a huge honor to be a nominated as the Auburn guy because I think that's where it started," Carlson said. "We've got incredible athletes here, but we've also got incredible people. I know all my teammates are doing special things off the field. I think that's a huge honor. And then to actually be on the team and be one of the 22 guys, it's super special."
After initially following his brother to the Plains, Carlson has made his own mark on Auburn. He's done it on the field and more importantly, off the field.
Some of Carlson's highlights off the field include taking a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with other members of the football team, serving in different areas as part of an internship with Church of the Highlands, and helping affected areas from a tornado in 2019 that devastated the Beauregard community. He's also worked with aTeam Ministries, a local organization in Birmingham benefitting those affected by childhood cancer.
Just last week, Carlson made one of many trips over the years to a local elementary school where he teamed up with Aubie and read to the kids.
"I think I've just been blessed," Carlson said. "I could see my life going different ways and for some reason I'm here at Auburn playing football. I've been able to kick for a while, but that also gives me a platform. Because of that, why not use that platform to help people out? I know I could be in a million different other shoes and a different life. I'm just thankful I'm in the life I'm in. I might as well try to impact someone while I'm here."
The final roster features 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision; 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics; and one honorary head coach.
"The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is arguably college football's highest honor because it recognizes a player's integrity and service off the field rather than their performance on it," said Executive Vice President and General Manager, Allstate Sales and Distribution, Troy Hawkes. "The sports world is often defined by what happens between the lines. While they are also accomplished as players, these 22 student-athletes make a monumental difference in their communities. Allstate is so proud to honor them as beacons of positive change around the country."
Allstate will continue its tradition of rewarding these athletes with an NIL opportunity as well as a charity match from The Allstate Foundation.
Vote for the captain
At ESPN.com/Allstate, fans can learn more about the players' accomplishments and vote for the 2022 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain once a day now through Nov. 22.
"So often, stories like these go overlooked in collegiate athletics. Our sport is defined by character and a team-first mentality, and the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team personifies all that is good about football," AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry said. "We encourage fans from all over to learn more about all that these players are doing for their communities."
Throughout the season, fans can join the conversation using #GoodWorksTeam on their social media channels to learn more about these players and their stories.
Auburn on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
1999: Haven Fields
2003: Reggie Torbor
2005: Will Herring
2012: Philip Lutzenkirchen
2015: Jonathan Wallace
2017: Daniel Carlson
2022: Anders Carlson
