Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association today announced a record-breaking 197 nominees for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, the highest in the award’s 34-year history. College football student-athletes and head coaches from all levels of the sport are recognized for their commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron.
Indiana junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza was recently named as a nominee for the 2025 Allstate / American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team ®, both organizations recently announced.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Cal transfer partnered with La Burrita in Berkley to launch the Mendoza Burrito. Honoring his Cuban heritage with the ingredients, all proceeds from each sale went to the National MS Society in honor and support of his mother has multiple sclerosis, and to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis.
Mendoza said in a recent interview with NBC Sports the initiative raised over $11,000 for the National MS Society.
Allstate and Wuerffel Foundation Elevate Impact
For the second year, Allstate is partnering with the Wuerffel Foundation to align two of college football’s most meaningful honors: the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. Together, they recognize student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in community service, academics and athletics.
Established in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognizes college football athletes for their unwavering commitment to community service and their "good works" off the field. In addition to being actively involved with a charitable organization or service group, each player must also maintain strong academic standing to be considered for a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
“When nearly 200 young athletes choose to serve, it creates a ripple effect far beyond the game,” said Danny Wuerffel, former NFL quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer for whom the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is named. “Their leadership in the community is just as worthy of recognition as their performance on the field.”
- 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)
- 1 honorary head coach
The final roster of 23 award recipients announced in September will bring together:A voting panel of former Good Works Team members, head coaches and journalists select the team roster based on outstanding leadership on and off the field.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2024, Mendoza passed for (3,004 yards). He finished in the top-10 on Cal’s single-season charts in total offensive yards (No. 7; 3,109 yards), passing efficiency (No. 8; 144.59) and yards passing (No. 9; 3,004 yards).
Indiana opens fall camp on July 30, and begins the 2025 season on Aug. 30 against Old Dominion at home.