Dallas Hobbs Named Allstate AFCA Good Hands Team Nominee

NORTHBROOK, Ill. (July 21, 2021) – Washington State senior defensive lineman Dallas Hobbs was named a nominee for the 2021 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association announced Wednesday.
 
Sports information directors – from divisions across the nation – nominated 109 student-athletes with stories of exemplary community service, alongside their academic dedication and impact on and off the field.
 
Hobbs, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been a mainstay on the Cougars' defensive line the past two seasons, starting 11 of WSU's 17 games. In that time, he collected 21 tackles, including 6.5 tackles-for-loss and two sacks. A double major in digital technology and culture as well as fine arts with a 3.85 GPA, Hobbs has been named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District 8 First Team, earned the 2021 WSU Top-10 Senior Award and this year received the DTC Outstanding Senior Award.
 
Hobbs is actively involved in numerous groups off the field, including being a representative on the Pac-12 Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) and a graphic designer for the Cougar Athletic Fund (CAF). He is also active on campus serving on the student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) and leading WSU's Black Student-Athlete Association (BSAA) as a member of the executive board.
 
Hobbs has been active in numerous volunteer activities, including volunteering at the Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute, Butch's Bash, an athletic department holiday party for local community kids, and the Eastern Washington Special Olympics Basketball Tournament. Additionally, Hobbs designed, produced and marketed stickers in honor of teammate who passed away in the spring of 2020 with all proceeds going to his teammates' family. Hobbs also worked with the Women Helping Women Fund by creating designs for promotions, social media, mailers, cards, infographics, websites, and other variations of media.
 
"I am inspired by these future community leaders and their dedication to improving the world around them. Despite their already busy schedules, these young men have stepped up as champions for change after an unprecedented year," said Terrance Williams, general manager and executive vice president of Allstate agency sales and the newest member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team selection committee. "Allstate takes great pride in our partnership with the AFCA, and we are honored to recognize these players and highlight their stories, which too often tend to go unnoticed."  
 
This year's candidates include student-athletes who are scholars, leaders and community champions. These nominees have volunteered to build homes, mentor underprivileged kids, aid in COVID-19 relief efforts, as well as advocate against domestic violence and racial injustice.
 
"Each year, I am amazed by the caliber of these nominees because their philanthropic efforts continuously raise the bar for how we should all be champions of our communities. I am humbled to help tell their stories, and they should be proud to have been nominated for such a prestigious award," said Tim Tebow, two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner and 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team member. "These players embody the spirit of a true champion."
 
Selection Process and Panel
The final 22-member team and honorary coach are selected by a voting panel of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members and journalists. They look for players who demonstrate exceptional leadership on and off the football field.
 
In addition to Tebow and Williams, the 2021 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team selection panel members are: Zaid Abdul-Aleem (Duke, 1994 team); Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1997, 1998); Brian Brenberg (St. Thomas, 2001); Mike Proman (Amherst, 2002); Wes Counts (Middle Tennessee State, 1999); media members Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN), Blair Kerkhoff (Kansas City Star) and Paul Myerberg (USA Today); 2021 AFCA President and Northwestern University Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald; and 2001 AFCA President and current Athletic Director at Virginia Union University Joe Taylor.
 
Public Voting Phase
After the final team members are announced in September, fans can cast their vote for this year's Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain through the official page on ESPN.com. Fans can use #GoodWorksTeam on their social media channels to join the conversation throughout the season.
 
"The AFCA has proudly partnered with Allstate to honor football student-athletes who volunteer their time and energy to give back," AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry said. "These nominees serve as examples to their fellow student-athletes and members of their community, proving that selfless acts will enrich the lives of people they know and don't know, acting as a true champion would."
 
Nomination Criteria
Established in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is one of the most coveted community service awards in college football. From the 109 nominees, the final roster of 23 award recipients will bring together 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision; 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA); and one honorary head coach. To be considered for a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing.