BEMIDJI, Minn. — Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) today named 22 student-athletes and honorary coach to the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, recognizing their commitment to service, academic achievement and athletic excellence. Bemidji State University senior defensive back
L'Shawn Taylor was one of the student-athletes named to the list.
This year's team was selected from 162 nominees and includes representatives from every level of college football. The class also includes the first female student-athlete selected in the program's history, Northwestern College kicker Gianna Bennett. Beyond their accomplishments on the field, this year's honorees contributed more than 12,000 hours of volunteer service, raised more than $100,000 for charitable causes, launched seven community initiatives and foundations and used their NIL earnings to support causes they care about.
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team reflects Allstate's decades-long commitment to empower student-athletes to lead in their communities.
Tim Tebow, ESPN analyst, two-time national champion, 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team member and Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient:
"One of my favorite things about the Good Works Team is that it measures something stat sheets don't. The spotlight is on student-athletes who are impacting their communities through what they do off the field. By recognizing these young leaders, including the program's first female honoree, Allstate is elevating their commitment to inspire more players, coaches, and fans to make a difference in the world around them."
For more than three decades, the Good Works Team has celebrated college football players whose leadership extends beyond the game and into their communities. Since 2008, Allstate has supported those efforts through national recognition and a monetary contribution to student-athletes to advance their community impact.
Committed to his faith,
L'Shawn Taylor has earned this distinction through his work with BSU's Fellowship of Christian Athletes, vacation bible school at Calvary Chapel, FCA's Northland Bible Camp and multiple mission trips with el Refugio in Mexico. Taylor is also an active volunteer with Special Olympics where he has served as a competition official for swimming and volunteers with BSU and Bemidji High School's Unified Basketball initiatives. With the football program, Taylor takes on volunteer roles at the team's annual youth camps, Ruby's Pantry and as a National Marrow Donor Program registry volunteer this past spring.
In December, Taylor was recognized by Beaver Football as the team's annual Jim Potts Award recipient, an award given to a football student-athlete who dedicates their time to the community and serving others. He is the only selection from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and is one of three selected from Minnesota colleges and universities.
This year's team includes:
Football Bowl Subdivision
- Noah Fifita, Arizona
- Michael Allen, Baylor
- Gideon Davidson, Clemson
- Micah Sahakian, Duke
- Jaylin Belford, Liberty
- Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
- Mudia Reuben, South Florida
- Edwin Spillman, Tennessee
- Colin Simmons, Texas
- Marcus Ratcliffe, Texas A&M
- Matt Hofer, Toledo
FCS/Division II/Division III/NAIA
- L'Shawn Taylor, Bemidji State
- Jaegar Ash, Bethel (MN)
- Peyton Ritzert, Central College
- Josh Fedd, Harvard
- Shea Ruddy, Hillsdale College
- Troy Mrukowski, John Carroll
- Browning Trainer, Johns Hopkins
- Luke Paulsen, Morningside
- Gianna Bennett, Northwestern College
- Sam Nolan, Saint John's (MN)
- JayJay Jordan, Slippery Rock
Head Coach
- Kalani Sitake, Brigham Young
For more information on the Bemidji State Football program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversFB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and like them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversFB).
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
