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Rivers Selected to AFCA Good Works Team
9/16/2025 8:02:00 AM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke senior cornerback Chandler Rivers has been named to the 2025 Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team®.
Rivers is one of just 22 student-athletes and one honorary coach nationwide selected to this prestigious team. The final roster was chosen from a record 197 nominees. These selected student-athletes stood out for their leadership in local communities and overall commitment to giving back.
A returning All-America and First Team All-ACC selection, Rivers was a preseason Second Team All-America pick by the Associated Press, Athlon Sports, CBS Sports, ESPN, Phil Steele, Sporting News and The Athletic and earned a place on the preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy and Wuerffel Trophy.
"These young men are passionate leaders with hearts driven to serve others. It's an honor to celebrate the many ways they make their communities better," said Tim Tebow, two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner and 2009 Good Works Team member.
Rivers, a native of Beaumont, Texas, is a cultural anthropology major who is on track to graduate in December. He is a three-time ACC Academic Honor Roll recipient and was selected to the 2024 All-ACC Academic Football Team. In 42 career games (35 starts), he has compiled 174 tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five interceptions, 23 pass breakups, two caused fumbles, one fumble recovery and seven quarterback pressures.
Away from the classroom and field, Rivers' community service focus is on youth mentorship, community empowerment, faith-based service, food and shelter outreach and children's health advocacy. Among his community service initiatives are the:
For the second year, Allstate is partnering with the Wuerffel Foundation to unify two of college football's most meaningful community service honors: the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. At ESPN.com/Allstate, fans can learn more about the players' accomplishments and vote through Nov. 10 for one of 11 FBS honorees who will be named the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient and serve as the Good Works Team captain, recognizing their leadership, performance and impact off the field.
Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
Genesis Smith, DB, Jr., Arizona
Red Murdock, LB, Gr., Buffalo
Tanner Wall, NB/S, R-Sr., BYU
Adam Randall, RB, Gr., Clemson
Chandler Rivers, CB, Sr., Duke
Richie Leonard IV, OL, R-Sr., Florida State
Josh Kattus, TE, Sr., Kentucky
Aamil Wagner, OL, R-Jr., Notre Dame
Plae Wyatt, NB/S, R-Sr., Rice
Michael Taaffe, DB, Sr., Texas
Matt Hofer, OL, R-Fr., Toledo
Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and NAIA
Carter St. John, QB, Sr., Alma
Devin Williams, DB, Sr., Bethel (Minn.)
Terian Williams II, CB, Sr., Bucknell
Canyon Schneider, OL, Jr., Denison
Nolan Ulm, WR, Sr., Eastern Washington
Auvic White, RB, Sr., Hendrix
Owen Schuckert, K/P, Sr., John Carroll
Charlie Pearson, OL, Sr., Johns Hopkins
Lennx Brown, WR, Sr., Morningside
Logan Kopp, LB, Sr., North Dakota State
Dylan Wheeler, WR, Sr., Saint John's (Minn.)
Honorary Head Coach
Brent Venables, Oklahoma
About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads all conferences with 91 selections to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team since it began in 1992. The SEC is followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 58 selections and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 45 selections. Georgia is in first place with 24 honorees to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The Bulldogs are followed by Kentucky and Bethel (Minn.) with 19 honorees.
About the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, a member of the National College Football Awards Association, is college football's premier award for community service. The trophy is presented annually by the Wuerffel Foundation to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership and performance on and off the field. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer, Danny Wuerffel, the award honors his commitment to inspiring greater service and unity in the world. Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the 1996 National Championship. As a humanitarian, he continues to inspire leaders to positively impact their communities. Danny currently serves as President of the Wuerffel Foundation and Executive Director of Desire Street Ministries. An avid pickleball player, he was drafted as a professional within the National Pickleball League and hosts celebrity pro-am "PickleBowl" tournaments.
For more information on Duke Football, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "DukeFOOTBALL".
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Rivers is one of just 22 student-athletes and one honorary coach nationwide selected to this prestigious team. The final roster was chosen from a record 197 nominees. These selected student-athletes stood out for their leadership in local communities and overall commitment to giving back.
A returning All-America and First Team All-ACC selection, Rivers was a preseason Second Team All-America pick by the Associated Press, Athlon Sports, CBS Sports, ESPN, Phil Steele, Sporting News and The Athletic and earned a place on the preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy and Wuerffel Trophy.
"These young men are passionate leaders with hearts driven to serve others. It's an honor to celebrate the many ways they make their communities better," said Tim Tebow, two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner and 2009 Good Works Team member.
Rivers, a native of Beaumont, Texas, is a cultural anthropology major who is on track to graduate in December. He is a three-time ACC Academic Honor Roll recipient and was selected to the 2024 All-ACC Academic Football Team. In 42 career games (35 starts), he has compiled 174 tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five interceptions, 23 pass breakups, two caused fumbles, one fumble recovery and seven quarterback pressures.
Away from the classroom and field, Rivers' community service focus is on youth mentorship, community empowerment, faith-based service, food and shelter outreach and children's health advocacy. Among his community service initiatives are the:
- Chandler Rivers Youth Football Camp: Every summer, Rivers hosts a free football camp in his hometown, providing skills training, mentorship and life lessons for underserved youth. More than 200 participants have joined to receive hands-on coaching by Rivers and local football mentors. Additional features include character-building talks centered on discipline, education and faith. The camp hopes to inspire the next generation through sports and service.
- Duke Football Thanksgiving Drive: Along with members of the Duke football team, Rivers organized food collection and distribution to support food-insecure families. The result was hundreds of families provided with Thanksgiving meals, deepening ties between Durham and Duke football.
- Duke Children's Hospital: Rivers visits with patients and families, participates in "My Cause My Cleats" to raise awareness for childhood illness and uplifts patients with his time and memorabilia.
- Emily K Center: Rivers regularly invests time as a volunteer youth mentor and guest speaker at Durham's Emily K Center. Rivers shares his story of perseverance from Beaumont to Duke while encouraging youth to embrace education and community leadership. Rivers' goal is building confidence and aspirations in local students.
- Durham Rescue Mission: Through volunteering and supporting a local homeless shelter and recovery programs, Rivers aims to restore hope and dignity for Durham's homeless population. He has served meals to individuals and families in need, donated hygiene kits and winter clothing and engaged with residents through fellowship and encouragement.
- Church Involvement: Within the Beaumont and Durham communities, Rivers participates in youth ministry and community events including neighborhood cleanups, clothing drives and back-to-school giveaways.
For the second year, Allstate is partnering with the Wuerffel Foundation to unify two of college football's most meaningful community service honors: the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. At ESPN.com/Allstate, fans can learn more about the players' accomplishments and vote through Nov. 10 for one of 11 FBS honorees who will be named the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient and serve as the Good Works Team captain, recognizing their leadership, performance and impact off the field.
Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
Genesis Smith, DB, Jr., Arizona
Red Murdock, LB, Gr., Buffalo
Tanner Wall, NB/S, R-Sr., BYU
Adam Randall, RB, Gr., Clemson
Chandler Rivers, CB, Sr., Duke
Richie Leonard IV, OL, R-Sr., Florida State
Josh Kattus, TE, Sr., Kentucky
Aamil Wagner, OL, R-Jr., Notre Dame
Plae Wyatt, NB/S, R-Sr., Rice
Michael Taaffe, DB, Sr., Texas
Matt Hofer, OL, R-Fr., Toledo
Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and NAIA
Carter St. John, QB, Sr., Alma
Devin Williams, DB, Sr., Bethel (Minn.)
Terian Williams II, CB, Sr., Bucknell
Canyon Schneider, OL, Jr., Denison
Nolan Ulm, WR, Sr., Eastern Washington
Auvic White, RB, Sr., Hendrix
Owen Schuckert, K/P, Sr., John Carroll
Charlie Pearson, OL, Sr., Johns Hopkins
Lennx Brown, WR, Sr., Morningside
Logan Kopp, LB, Sr., North Dakota State
Dylan Wheeler, WR, Sr., Saint John's (Minn.)
Honorary Head Coach
Brent Venables, Oklahoma
About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads all conferences with 91 selections to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team since it began in 1992. The SEC is followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 58 selections and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 45 selections. Georgia is in first place with 24 honorees to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The Bulldogs are followed by Kentucky and Bethel (Minn.) with 19 honorees.
About the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, a member of the National College Football Awards Association, is college football's premier award for community service. The trophy is presented annually by the Wuerffel Foundation to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership and performance on and off the field. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer, Danny Wuerffel, the award honors his commitment to inspiring greater service and unity in the world. Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the 1996 National Championship. As a humanitarian, he continues to inspire leaders to positively impact their communities. Danny currently serves as President of the Wuerffel Foundation and Executive Director of Desire Street Ministries. An avid pickleball player, he was drafted as a professional within the National Pickleball League and hosts celebrity pro-am "PickleBowl" tournaments.
For more information on Duke Football, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "DukeFOOTBALL".
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
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