Rucker Named To Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

Atlanta, GA – North Carolina's Kaimon Rucker is a member of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, The Wuerffel Foundation announced today. The watch list consists of a record 111 nominees representing players from college football's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

Entering the 2024 season, Rucker has been recognized as a preseason All-American by both the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Phil Steele and is a nominee for the prestigious Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. A 2023 All-ACC Second Team and 2023 AP All-ACC Second Team selection, Rucker returns to the Tar Heels after starting all 13 games last season and leading the team with 15 TFL, 8.5 sacks and 12 QB pressures.

In addition to his work on the field, Rucker has volunteered countless hours to the community with a passion for helping young people. Most recently, he organized a personal hygiene seminar at his elementary school to provide hygiene items and information to help young men get comfortable with the physical changes in their bodies. Rucker is a champion for mental health awareness and has served as a speaker for the UNC Mental Health Symposium. He has also completed training to serve as a mentor with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

College Football's Premier Award for Community Service and one of the most meaningful awards in collegiate sports, The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida who parlayed his success on the football field into a lifetime of service. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy embodies Wuerffel's commitment to being a humanitarian, while honoring student-athletes who are inspired to serve others and make positive impacts on society. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Trophy's founding, and the Foundation will recognize the first nineteen recipients throughout the fall season.

"I am deeply honored to see such outstanding individuals nominated for this year's Allstate Wuerffel Trophy," said Wuerffel. "Their commitment to serving others and making a positive impact in their communities is truly inspiring. Throughout my life and career, I have always believed in the importance of putting others before yourself and striving to make a difference. These nominees exemplify those values, and I am proud to celebrate their dedication to humanitarian efforts and selfless service."

Announced recently, the Wuerffel Foundation partnered with Allstate to unify college football's highest community service honors. Eleven of the Watch List nominees will be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and will be Allstate Wuerffel Trophy semifinalists.

The 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists and recipient will be selected by an illustrious national voting committee, including a fan vote component, and announced on ESPN's Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 12th. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will take place February 1, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

For up-to-date information on Carolina Football and the 2024 Spring Game, visit GoHeels.com/Football and follow us on Twitter (@UNCFootball), Instagram (@uncfootball) and Facebook (Facebook.com/TarHeelFootball).

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University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Kaimon Rucker

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