College Football: 2017 Wuerffel Trophy watch list announced

College football released its preseason watch list for the 2017 Wuerffel Trophy. Who will take home the prestigious award?

It’s the time of year when speculation runs rampant and media members give preseason picks for teams to win conference and for specific players to win awards. On Tuesday, the underrated Wuerffel Trophy released its preseason watch list.

What is the Wuerffel Trophy, you ask? According to the trophy’s official website it’s “presented to the player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement by the All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach.”

Basically, the Wuerffel Trophy is the most impressive all-around award a college football player can earn for his off-field service as well as academic excellence. Now this is something these guys can put on their resumes when applying for jobs after their football careers are over.

Check out the entire list of potential winners of the award here.

Some notable players who’ve made the watch list are Iowa’s Josey Jewell, Western Kentucky’s Mike White, Washington’s Azeem Victor, Penn State’s Trace McSorley, Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph, Miami’s Shaquille Quarterman, Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, Clemson’s Christian Wilkins, Arkansas’ Frank Ragnow and Mikah Fitzpatrick of Alabama.

The trophy has to be one of the most underrated in college football and really should get more attention for what it celebrates. Being a student athlete who gives back to his community is something that often goes unnoticed.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: Way-too-early edition

Last year, the award went to Texas A&M’s Trevor Knight who was an outstanding citizen off the field. Over the past four years, it’s either gone to an Oklahoma player or SEC athlete — in Knight’s case, he was an Oklahoma transfer who went to the SEC.