Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Wyatt Named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
7/31/2025 1:40:00 PM | Football
21st annual award
Atlanta, GA – Rice safety Plae Wyatt is one of a record 116 nominees to the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, recognizing college football players from across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) who exemplify community service, academic excellence, and athletic achievement.
Wyatt saw his hopes to build on a successful 2023 season when he led the Owls in tackles come to an early
end when he was injured in the 2024 season opener vs. Sam Houston. But while sidelined from game action, he completed work on his undergraduate degree in Sport Management and continued his commitment to various community activities.
His lifelong commitment to community service, rooted in a multigenerational legacy of giving back. Through the McKinney Yellow Jackets, founded by his father, he has mentored and coached at-risk youth for over six years and extended this mission by founding the Plae Wyatt Free Youth Football Camp. At Rice, he actively serves the Houston community through city events, mentoring, and outreach.
Wyatt was previously announced as a member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® Watch List. This is the second year the Wuerffel Foundation is partnering with Allstate to unite college football's top community service honors through the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. Eleven student-athletes from the Watch List will be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and serve as semifinalists for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.
Widely regarded as college football's premier award for community service, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy celebrates student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and create positive change. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winner and University of Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who turned his football success into a lifelong mission of service, the award reflects his legacy of leadership and humanitarianism. This year marks the 21st anniversary of the trophy's founding.
"Every year, I'm deeply moved by these student-athletes,"," said Danny Wuerffel. "They lead with their heart. Each of our nominees is making a real difference in the lives of others, and their stories remind us what true greatness looks like."
The 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists and recipient will be selected by a national voting committee, with input from a fan vote. The 2025 recipient will also serve as Captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on December 12th, airing on ESPN. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will follow on January 31, 2026, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Wyatt and the Owls will open their 2025 Fall Camp on Friday morning, the first of 20 practices prior to the start of classes and the Owls' first game week on August 25.
Rice opens the Dunlevie Family Head Football Coach Scott Abell era on Saturday, August 20 when the Owls face Louisiana at 7 p.m. They open the 2025 home schedule the following week by hosting Houston at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 6 to determine possession of the Bayou Bucket.
Single-game tickets starting as low as $22 are now on sale either online or by calling (713) 348-OWLS (6957) for further assistance. In addition to the option to purchase individual game tickets, Owl fans also have the option to secure their same seats for all seven games by purchasing season tickets, or they can create their own customized mini plan.
Wyatt saw his hopes to build on a successful 2023 season when he led the Owls in tackles come to an early
end when he was injured in the 2024 season opener vs. Sam Houston. But while sidelined from game action, he completed work on his undergraduate degree in Sport Management and continued his commitment to various community activities.His lifelong commitment to community service, rooted in a multigenerational legacy of giving back. Through the McKinney Yellow Jackets, founded by his father, he has mentored and coached at-risk youth for over six years and extended this mission by founding the Plae Wyatt Free Youth Football Camp. At Rice, he actively serves the Houston community through city events, mentoring, and outreach.
Wyatt was previously announced as a member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® Watch List. This is the second year the Wuerffel Foundation is partnering with Allstate to unite college football's top community service honors through the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. Eleven student-athletes from the Watch List will be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and serve as semifinalists for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.
Widely regarded as college football's premier award for community service, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy celebrates student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and create positive change. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winner and University of Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who turned his football success into a lifelong mission of service, the award reflects his legacy of leadership and humanitarianism. This year marks the 21st anniversary of the trophy's founding.
"Every year, I'm deeply moved by these student-athletes,"," said Danny Wuerffel. "They lead with their heart. Each of our nominees is making a real difference in the lives of others, and their stories remind us what true greatness looks like."
The 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists and recipient will be selected by a national voting committee, with input from a fan vote. The 2025 recipient will also serve as Captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on December 12th, airing on ESPN. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will follow on January 31, 2026, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Wyatt and the Owls will open their 2025 Fall Camp on Friday morning, the first of 20 practices prior to the start of classes and the Owls' first game week on August 25.
Rice opens the Dunlevie Family Head Football Coach Scott Abell era on Saturday, August 20 when the Owls face Louisiana at 7 p.m. They open the 2025 home schedule the following week by hosting Houston at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 6 to determine possession of the Bayou Bucket.
Single-game tickets starting as low as $22 are now on sale either online or by calling (713) 348-OWLS (6957) for further assistance. In addition to the option to purchase individual game tickets, Owl fans also have the option to secure their same seats for all seven games by purchasing season tickets, or they can create their own customized mini plan.
Players Mentioned
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