NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- Elon defensive lineman Khirey Walker has been announced by Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) as one of the record 112 student-athletes being considered for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.  The award honors the distinguished group of college football players who stand out for the positive influence they have in their communities.

 

Walker is just one of two Southern Conference football players being considered for the award. 

 

In the areas of giving back and volunteerism, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team represents the "best of the best" among the more than 50,000 student-athletes participating in the sport at all four-year institutions.  

 

While glory and praise may be traditionally reserved for the most athletically skilled college football players on the field, it is the student-athletes committed to serving others who make the most important impact off the field.  The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team exists to tell their stories and acknowledge their impact beyond the game.

 

Walker, who will serve as Elon's Student-Athlete Advisory Council president this year, has been very active in the Elon and surrounding communities.  

 

This past year, Walker headed up Elon's Phoenix Field Day project, bringing children from the Salvation Army of Alamance County and the Burlington Housing Authority to campus for a day of education and entertainment.  The project included over 100 Phoenix student-athletes. 

 

Walker has also volunteered his time at the Salvation Army of Alamance County where he helped tutor children.  In 2010-11, Walker will serve as president for Elon's Day With the Phoenix which brings underprivileged youth organizations to Elon athletic events and focuses on getting the children to see that college is a place where people from all backgrounds can go.

 

In his time at Elon, Walker has also been involved with DARE, reading at elementary schools, Night of the Phoenix, ELONTHON, Loaves & Fishes and Special Olympics. 

 

From the nominees submitted, a special voting panel consisting of former Good Works Team members and prominent college football media members will select two 11-player Good Works Teams – one comprised of players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and another with players representing the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA. 

 

The list will be trimmed to 22 award recipients in mid-September.  Those honorees will be featured on an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team web site launched by ESPN.com.

 

The full list of those nominated can be found by clicking the "Additional Information" link above.