AUBURN, Ala. – Recognized for his stellar community service, Auburn senior jack linebacker Elijah McAllister has been named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for 2023, the Wuerffel Foundation announced Thursday.
McAllister, pursuing his doctorate in Auburn University's College of Education after earning bachelor's and master's degrees at Vanderbilt, represented Auburn at SEC Media Days in July.
A two-time captain for the Commodores, McAllister played in 36 games in five seasons at Vanderbilt and was named to the 2021 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Since arriving on the Plains in January, McAllister has read to students at local elementary schools, participated in Tigers Give Back Day, and planned a school supply drive for the Boys and Girls Club.
McAllister's New Jersey-based nonprofit organization, All For One and One For All, conducts food pantry distributions, hosts summer football camps and other youth activities to help children build life skills and further understand mental health issues.
During his years in Nashville, McAllister regularly visited schools and patients at Children's Hospital.
McAllister is one of 110 Football Bowl Subdivision players on the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida who parlayed his success on the football field into a lifetime of service.
Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy honors college football players who serve others, celebrates their impact, and inspires greater service across the nation. A member of the National College Football Awards Association, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field. It is the first major award honoring the character of service to others.
The Wuerffel Trophy embodies Danny's commitment to being a humanitarian, while honoring student-athletes who are inspired to serve others and make positive impacts on society.
"The life-changing impact of thinking of others before ourselves is so rewarding, and it's truly inspiring to see so many student-athletes recognize this, and use their platform for good," Wuerffel said. "College Football players across the country are making a difference in their communities, and I'm excited to see so many incredible stories associated with the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy candidates."
Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 2 and finalists will be named on Nov. 28. The formal announcement of the 2023 recipient will take place in December during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN, and the presentation of the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy will take place on Feb. 17, 2024, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Tigers Give Back: Elijah McAllister visits with students in April
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer