NORTHBROOK, ill. – Harvard Football Senior Defensive Back Max Jones has earned a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which recognizes 22 college football students and one volunteer head coach for outstanding contributions to their communities, Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association announced Monday morning.
Off the field, Jones launched the Project Proximate scholarship program, which aims to help Black and Hispanic college students acquire and develop the tools necessary to act as change agents to close the racial prosperity gap. The organization works with the Boston Consulting Group, bringing business consultants and teams of college students together with minority entrepreneurs and letting them work on projects to help minority-owned businesses grow and grow.
The overarching goal is twofold. First, bring prosperity to marginalized communities by supporting business owners from those communities, creating jobs and wealth. Second, create agents of change by instilling in college students entrepreneurial mindsets, hard skills to advance their careers, and a network of people who care about racial justice.
In March 2022, Project Proximate completed its second cohort of 16 college grantees from six different colleges and six minority-owned companies. Over the next year, the group will formalize the program, potentially seek 501(c)3 status, and seek funding to make the scholarship a paid opportunity for students.
On the field, Jones has played in 27 career games with 86 tackles and four interceptions. He received Phil Steele Preseason All-Ivy League Second Team honors in both 2020 and 2021. He played in all 10 games in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
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 list of 22 players was chosen by the selection panel, which includes former Good Works players, journalists and officials from Allstate and the AFCA. The panel looks for players who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills on and off the field.
“For 31 years, the Allstate AFCA Good Works team has reminded us how we can use our position in life—whatever that might be—to uplift those around us,” said Tim Tebow, two-time national champion, winner the Heisman Trophy and 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works team member. “There are so many players at all levels of the game using their platforms for good, and it’s inspiring to see the diversity of paths these young men are choosing to improve our society.”
The Class of 2022 could start charitable organizations, donate NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) proceeds to those in need, build homes for areas hit by natural disasters, minister to children, or collect food for the hungry. Whatever the reason, this is a group of college football stars who want to help their communities.
“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 the field,” said Troy Hawkes, executive vice president and general manager, Allstate Sales and Distribution. “The sports world is often defined by what happens between the lines. Although they are also successful as players, these 22 student athletes are making a monumental difference in their communities. Allstate is so proud to honor her as a beacon of positive change across the country.”
The final roster consists of 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision; 11 NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics players; and a volunteer head coach.
Allstate will continue its tradition of rewarding these athletes with a NIL opportunity as well as an Allstate Foundation charity game.
The following players were named to the 2022 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team:
Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
Anders Carlson, Auburn University
DeWayne Carter, Duke University
Dillan Gibbons, Florida State University
Jordan Ferguson, Middle Tennessee State University
Ryan Hilinski, Northwestern University
Patrick Fields, Stanford University
Tony Bradford, Jr., Texas Tech University
Kearis Jackson, University of Georgia
JD Bertrand, University of Notre-Dame
Deslin Alexandre, University of Pittsburgh
Caleb Williams, University of Southern California
Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and NAIA
Austin Brenner, Ashland University
Jailen Branch, Bentley University
Matthew Feldick, Bethel University, Minnesota
Max JonesHarvard University
Alan Gorny, Johns Hopkins University
Sione Tuifua, Morningside University
James Kaczor of North Dakota State University
Garrison Dodge, Peru State College
Michael Wozniak, Saint John’s University (Minn.)
Caleb High, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Matt Lilja, Mount Union University
Volunteer Head Coach
Mark Stoops, University of Kentucky
The selection panel
The final 22-person team and volunteer trainer were chosen by a selection panel that includes former members of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and journalists.
In addition to Hawkes and Tebow, the 2022 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team selection panel members are: Zaid Abdul-Aleem (Duke, 1994 team); Brian Brenberg (St Thomas, 2001); Wes Counts (Middle Tennessee State, 1999); Mike Proman (Amherst, 2002); Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1997 and 1998); media members Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN), Blair Kerkhoff (Kansas City Star) and Paul Myerberg (USA Today); 2022 AFCA President and University of Wyoming Head Coach Craig Bohl; and 2001 AFCA President and current Athletic Director at Virginia Union University Joe Taylor.
Vote for the captain
Fans can learn more about player achievements and vote for the 2022 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Captain once a day through November 22 at ESPN.com/Allstate.
“Stories like this are so often overlooked in collegiate athletics. Our sport is defined by character and a team-first mentality, and the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team embodies everything that is good about football,” said Todd Berry, Executive Director of the AFCA. “We encourage fans around the world to learn more about what these players are doing for their communities.”
Throughout the season, fans can join the conversation with #GoodWorksTeam on their social media channels to learn more about these players and their stories.
About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was formed by the College Football Association in 1992 in recognition of the extra efforts of college football players and student support staff off the field. The AFCA became the award’s governing body in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award beginning with the 2008 season.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has led all conferences since its inception in 1992 with 82 selections to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The SEC is followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 52 selections, and the Big 12 Conference and Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, both with 39 selections. Georgia takes first place with 22 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team honorees. The Bulldogs are followed by Kentucky with 17 honorees. Super Bowl XLII, XLVI, and XLI champion quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning were members of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams in 2002 and 1997, respectively.
About the AFCA
Founded in 1922, the AFCA currently has more than 11,000 members around the world ranging from high school through the professional ranks. According to its charter, the AFCA was established, among other things, to “uphold the highest possible standards in football and the coaching profession” and “to provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters relating to football”.
Comments are closed.