University of Texas senior defensive back Michael Taaffe wins the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy for leadership in community service
December 12, 2025
University of Texas senior defensive back Michael Taaffe is the recipient of the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football’s most prestigious community service award. He was also named captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN on Friday, Dec.12th.
In memory of his close friend Jake Ehlinger, Taaffe leads substance abuse prevention efforts through Texas Against Fentanyl, expanding education and resources statewide. His commitment to helping others doesn’t stop there. In partnership with P. Terry’s Burger Stand, Taaffe raised more than $100,000 for the Texas Flood Relief Foundation, honoring lives lost at Camp Mystic and supporting families in need. From visiting the Dell Children’s Hospital to distributing food with Welcome Table ATX and joining community cleanups with The Trail Conservancy, Taaffe regularly gives back in Austin.
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team names 22 student-athletes and one head coach for exemplary community service from colleges and universities across the country. Taaffe joins an elite group of past recipients and hundreds of Good Works Team members since 1992. Finalists were chosen by a national committee and fan voting on ESPN.com/Allstate.
Michael Taaffe, 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient and Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain:
“For me, it’s all about serving my community with purpose and making a meaningful difference beyond football. I’m honored to receive this award and for everyone who supports giving back. The Wuerffel Foundation, Allstate, and AFCA, thank you for shining a light on service.”
Danny Wuerffel, former NFL quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Famer and namesake of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy:
“Michael represents everything this award stands for. His courage and commitment to help others reflect his remarkable servant leadership. As he joins the fraternity of twenty previous recipients of this award, we congratulate him on this prestigious honor.”
Troy Hawkes, executive vice president, Allstate Agent Distribution:
“Allstate champions athletes who lead with purpose and create positive change. Through the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy and Good Works Team, we celebrate student-athletes who go beyond the game to strengthen communities. There’s no better example of that this year than Michael’s work improving communities across the Lone Star State.”
Fans can use #WuerffelTrophy and #GoodWorksTeam on social media to congratulate Taaffe and help others learn more about his recognition.
Past recipients of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy include: Rudy Niswanger – LSU – 2005; Joel Penton – Ohio State – 2006; Paul Smith – Tulsa – 2007; Tim Tebow – Florida – 2008; Tim Hiller – Western Michigan – 2009; Sam Acho – Texas – 2010; Barrett Jones – Alabama – 2011; Matt Barkley – USC – 2012; Gabe Ikard – Oklahoma – 2013; Deterrian Shackelford – Ole Miss – 2014; Ty Darlington – Oklahoma – 2015; Trevor Knight – Texas A&M – 2016; Courtney Love – Kentucky – 2017; Drue Tranquill – Notre Dame – 2018; Jon Wassink – Western Michigan – 2019; Teton Saltes – New Mexico – 2020; Isaiah Sanders – Stanford – 2021; Dillan Gibbons – Florida State – 2022; Ladd McConkey – Georgia – 2023; and Nick Dawkins – Penn State – 2024.
About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season.
About the AFCA
The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 11,000 members around the world ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was formed, in part, to “maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession” and to “provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football.”
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Request Form.
About the Wuerffel Foundation
The Wuerffel Foundation is dedicated to supporting Danny Wuerffel’s mission to inspire greater service and unity in the world, built on the three values of excellence, service and humility. As a recognized humanitarian, Danny mentors community leaders and connects them with philanthropic resources. The foundation annually presents the prestigious Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football’s premier award for community service, and hosts the Desire Cup and PickleBowl events.
About the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, a member of the National College Football Awards Association, is college football’s premier award for community service. The trophy is presented annually by the Wuerffel Foundation to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership and performance on and off the field. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer, Danny Wuerffel, the award honors his commitment to inspiring greater service and unity in the world. Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the 1996 National Championship. As a humanitarian, he continues to inspire leaders to positively impact their communities. Danny currently serves as President of the Wuerffel Foundation and Executive Director of Desire Street Ministries. An avid pickleball player, he was drafted as a professional within the National Pickleball League and hosts celebrity pro-am “PickleBowl” tournaments.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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University of Texas senior defensive back Michael Taaffe is the recipient of the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football’s most prestigious community service award. He was also named captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN on Friday, Dec.12th.
In memory of his close friend Jake Ehlinger, Taaffe leads substance abuse prevention efforts through Texas Against Fentanyl, expanding education and resources statewide. His commitment to helping others doesn’t stop there. In partnership with P. Terry’s Burger Stand, Taaffe raised more than $100,000 for the Texas Flood Relief Foundation, honoring lives lost at Camp Mystic and supporting families in need. From visiting the Dell Children’s Hospital to distributing food with Welcome Table ATX and joining community cleanups with The Trail Conservancy, Taaffe regularly gives back in Austin.
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team names 22 student-athletes and one head coach for exemplary community service from colleges and universities across the country. Taaffe joins an elite group of past recipients and hundreds of Good Works Team members since 1992. Finalists were chosen by a national committee and fan voting on ESPN.com/Allstate.
Michael Taaffe, 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient and Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain:
“For me, it’s all about serving my community with purpose and making a meaningful difference beyond football. I’m honored to receive this award and for everyone who supports giving back. The Wuerffel Foundation, Allstate, and AFCA, thank you for shining a light on service.”
Danny Wuerffel, former NFL quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Famer and namesake of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy:
“Michael represents everything this award stands for. His courage and commitment to help others reflect his remarkable servant leadership. As he joins the fraternity of twenty previous recipients of this award, we congratulate him on this prestigious honor.”
Troy Hawkes, executive vice president, Allstate Agent Distribution:
“Allstate champions athletes who lead with purpose and create positive change. Through the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy and Good Works Team, we celebrate student-athletes who go beyond the game to strengthen communities. There’s no better example of that this year than Michael’s work improving communities across the Lone Star State.”
Fans can use #WuerffelTrophy and #GoodWorksTeam on social media to congratulate Taaffe and help others learn more about his recognition.
Past recipients of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy include: Rudy Niswanger – LSU – 2005; Joel Penton – Ohio State – 2006; Paul Smith – Tulsa – 2007; Tim Tebow – Florida – 2008; Tim Hiller – Western Michigan – 2009; Sam Acho – Texas – 2010; Barrett Jones – Alabama – 2011; Matt Barkley – USC – 2012; Gabe Ikard – Oklahoma – 2013; Deterrian Shackelford – Ole Miss – 2014; Ty Darlington – Oklahoma – 2015; Trevor Knight – Texas A&M – 2016; Courtney Love – Kentucky – 2017; Drue Tranquill – Notre Dame – 2018; Jon Wassink – Western Michigan – 2019; Teton Saltes – New Mexico – 2020; Isaiah Sanders – Stanford – 2021; Dillan Gibbons – Florida State – 2022; Ladd McConkey – Georgia – 2023; and Nick Dawkins – Penn State – 2024.
About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season.
About the AFCA
The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 11,000 members around the world ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was formed, in part, to “maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession” and to “provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football.”
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Request Form.
About the Wuerffel Foundation
The Wuerffel Foundation is dedicated to supporting Danny Wuerffel’s mission to inspire greater service and unity in the world, built on the three values of excellence, service and humility. As a recognized humanitarian, Danny mentors community leaders and connects them with philanthropic resources. The foundation annually presents the prestigious Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football’s premier award for community service, and hosts the Desire Cup and PickleBowl events.
About the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, a member of the National College Football Awards Association, is college football’s premier award for community service. The trophy is presented annually by the Wuerffel Foundation to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership and performance on and off the field. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer, Danny Wuerffel, the award honors his commitment to inspiring greater service and unity in the world. Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the 1996 National Championship. As a humanitarian, he continues to inspire leaders to positively impact their communities. Danny currently serves as President of the Wuerffel Foundation and Executive Director of Desire Street Ministries. An avid pickleball player, he was drafted as a professional within the National Pickleball League and hosts celebrity pro-am “PickleBowl” tournaments.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
