Jaylin Belford, a fifth‑year reserve running back for the Liberty Flames, has been selected for the 2026 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list, a honor that celebrates college football players who excel both on the field and in their communities.
The Wuerffel Legacy
Named after former NFL quarterback Danny Wuerffel, the trophy has been awarded for 22 years to athletes whose impact extends far beyond statistics. The award’s mission is to spotlight those who combine leadership with humanitarian work, echoing Wuerffel’s own legacy of service.
Belford’s nomination follows a record of more than 200 hours of volunteer activity in Lynchburg, Virginia. His efforts include organizing school supply drives, leading reading sessions for elementary students, and coordinating career days that connect young people with professional role models.
One of his most visible projects is the Hop on Pop program, Liberty Athletics’ largest annual reading initiative. As the program’s lead, Belford has mobilized over 40 teammates and secured a $2,000 contribution to ensure the event’s continuation, donating books and reading aloud to dozens of children each week.
Beyond community outreach, Belford serves as vice president of the Student‑Athlete Advisory Committee and will assume the presidency of that body during the 2026‑27 academic year. He is set to complete a bachelor’s degree in sport management this May and begin a master’s program in the fall, underscoring his focus on personal development.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy selection process blends expert evaluation with fan input, and the 2026 recipient will be announced on December 11 at The Home Depot College Football Awards. If selected, Belford would travel to New York City to join Danny Wuerffel at the foundation’s PickleBowl: Heisman Edition, and later attend the award presentation gala in February at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.