Tennessee junior linebacker Edwin Spillman was named to the 2026 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy preseason watch list.
He was one of 113 student-athletes named to the list, which was released by the Wuerffel Foundation on Tuesday.
The Wuerffel Trophy watch list recognizes college football players from across the Football Bowl Subdivision who exemplify community service, academic excellence and athletic achievement. The award was established in 2005 and is considered college football's premier award for community service.
The Wuerffel Trophy honors and celebrates college football players who serve others, celebrates their impact and inspires greater service across the nation. A member of the National College Football Awards Association, the Wuerffel Trophy is
presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on an off the field. It is the first major award honoring the character of service to others.
A member of the Vols' leadership council, Spillman has committed more than 120 hours to community service while using NIL resources to support the Wan Fambul Foundation, which assists families and children in Sierra Leone. His charitable work includes supporting food security, education, housing projects and child welfare initiatives. Spillman's dedication to giving back reflects his desire to create opportunities who face challenges similar to those he once overcame.
In 2025, he earned Freshman All-America honors, as well as being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team after leading all freshmen with 81 tackles.
The award is named for former Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback Danny Wuerffel, a nationally recognized humanitarian whose life mission is to inspire greater service in the world.
In September, 11 athletes from the list will be named to the Allstate Good Works Team and become semifinalists. Finalists will be selected by the award's National Selection Committee with input from a fan vote.
The 2026 recipient will be named on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on Dec. 11. That player will also serve as team captain of the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee linebacker named to Wuerffel Trophy watch list
