Per GoBearcats:
Redshirt senior offensive lineman Luke Kandra has been nominated for the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, the American Football Coaches Association announced this week.
Allstate is partnering with the Wuerffel Foundation to bring together two of the most meaningful awards in college football in 2024. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy will honor a student-athlete who is inspired to serve others and make a positive impact on society. Together with the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, whose 2024 nominees are announced below, the awards will mark college football’s premier honors for community service.
Kandra has volunteered his time at several local organizations, including Rockdale Elementary School, Ronald McDonald House, Impacting Tomorrow food pantry, and more.
A 2023 AP and Walter Camp All-American, Kandra ranked as the third-best Power Five guard (81.8) according to PFF while starting all 12 games and leading UC with 79 knockdowns in 2023. He returns as the country’s top-graded P4 right guard in 2024 and will anchor an offensive line that returns all five starters. Cincinnati finished fifth nationally in rushing (217.1 ypg) in 2023 behind Kandra and running back Corey Kiner (1,047 yards), who also returns.
Kandra was one of 178 student-athletes across all division of college football to earn the nomination due to his community service, academics, and impact on and off the field. The final roster of 23 award recipients announced later in September will bring together:
- 11 players from the NCAA FBS
- 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
- One honorary head coach
All members are selected by a voting panel of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members, current and former head coaches and journalists who look for exceptional leadership on and off the football field. Fans can join the conversation on social media with #GoodWorksTeam throughout the season.
The 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient will be selected by a national voting committee and announced on The Home Depot/ESPN College Football Awards Show in December. Only FBS players elected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team are eligible for the honor, which replaces the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain.
