Dooley Named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

The Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the top community
ATLANTA, Ga. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University senior offensive lineman Brian Dooley (Bowling Green, Ohio/Toledo St. John's Jesuit) has been selected as one of 110 student-athletes nationwide selected to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, the organization announced today, Aug. 3. The Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the top community servant in college football.
Named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented each February in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. The trophy honors college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society and inspire greater service in the world.
Last season for EMU, the Toledo, Ohio, native played a pivotal role as an offensive lineman as he was one of the five pillars of the O-line who propelled the Eagles to their conference-leading 25 rushing touchdowns and 49 overall TDs, ranking third in the MAC.
Already an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee in 2023, Dooley was named Preseason Second Team All-MAC by Phil Steele and garnered a Preseason First Team selection by Athlon Sports.
An esteemed leader both on and off the field, the two-time All-MAC selection heavily assisted in Eastern's eighth annual Victory Day activities, a day filled with fun and football for cognitive and physically impaired community members. Dooley also took time to visit many local elementary schools in the Ypsilanti, Mich., area where he read to a multitude of young students, as well as assisting in the building and refurbishment of parks and playgrounds.
All said and done, Dooley has logged over 100 community service hours.
"The life changing impact of thinking of others before ourselves is so rewarding, and it's truly inspiring to see so many student-athletes recognize this, and use their platform for good," said Danny Wuerffel. "College Football players across the country are making a difference in their communities, and I'm excited to see so many incredible stories associated with the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy candidates."
Nominations for the Wuerffel Trophy are made by the respective universities' Sports Information Departments and will close Oct. 16. An up-to-date list of nominees can be found at wuerffeltrophy.org. Semifinalists for the award will be announced Nov. 2, and finalists will be announced Nov. 28. The formal announcement of the 2023 recipient is scheduled to be made during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN, and the presentation of the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy will take place Feb. 17, 2024, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga.
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a two-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2023 preseason watch list calendar:
Maxwell Award > Samson Evans
Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award > Jesús Gómez / Mitchell Tomasek
Wuerffel Trophy > Brian Dooley
Fri., Aug. 4: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy
Mon., Aug. 7: Biletnikoff Award
Tue., Aug. 8: Davey O'Brien Award
Wed., Aug. 9: Doak Walker Award
Thu., Aug. 10: Butkus Award/Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Fri., Aug. 11: Walter Camp Award
Mon., Aug. 14: Bednarik Award