Sahakian Selected to AFCA Good Works Team

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke graduate offensive lineman Micah Sahakian has been named to the 2026 Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team®.

Sahakian is one of just 22 student-athletes and one honorary coach nationwide selected to this prestigious team. The final roster was chosen from 162 nominees. These selected student-athletes stood out for their leadership in local communities and overall commitment to giving back.

Sahakian, a native of Mount Prospect, Illinois, has experienced action in four games at Duke with two starts. He missed the first portion of the 2024 season recovering from injury and was cleared to play during the final month of the campaign. He then missed the entire 2025 season due to injury.

"One of my favorite things about the Good Works Team is that it measures something stat sheets don't," Tim Tebow, ESPN analyst, two-time national champion, 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team member and Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient said. "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."

An ACC Academic Honor Roll selection during the 2024-25 campaign, Sahakian was also a two-time All-Ivy League selection while at Cornell (2022 - honorable mention; 2023 - second team). He graduated from Cornell in May 2024 with a bachelor of applied science in pre-medical studies and a business minor. He is currently pursuing a masters in liberal studies with a certificate in global health at Duke.

Away from the classroom and field, Sahakian has made four trips in the last five years to Lebanon with his most recent in January 2026. He chose Lebanon because it is where his parents immigrated from before he was born. He has made multiple visits through Living With Power, a non-profit ministry his aunt started to support Syrian refugees and the Lebanese. During these trips, Sahakian has connected with adults and children without homes, jobs, stable education or enough food to eat. He has also run faith-based sports camps and medical clinics. These experiences have humbled him and put his life into perspective.

Additionally, Sahakian has donated his time at the Duke Children's Hospital, New Hope Elementary School and the Emily K Center.

Sahakian becomes the 16th Blue Devil to earn the prestigious honor and 12th in the last 14 years, joining Chandler Rivers (2025), Ja'Mion Franklin (2023), DeWayne Carter (2022), Rakavius Chambers (2020), Koby Quansah (2019), Johnathan Lloyd (2018), Gabe Brander (2017), DeVon Edwards (2016), Kelby Brown (2015), Laken Tomlinson (2014), Dave Harding (2013), Sean Renfree (2012), Bryan Morgan (2010), Re'quan Boyette (2008) and Zaid Abdul-Aleem (1994).

For the third year, Allstate and the Wuerffel Foundation will award the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy to one of the team's 11 FBS semi-finalists during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 11. The recipient also serves as the Good Works Team captain. Fans can cast their vote through Nov. 3 at ESPN.com/Allstate. Candidates for The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy will be narrowed to three finalists, announced in November, and selected by a national voting committee of college football leaders, former players, coaches and members of the media.

2026-2027 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

FBS

Noah Fifita, University of Arizona
Michael Allen, Baylor University
Gideon Davidson, Clemson University
Micah Sahakian, Duke University
Jaylin Belford, Liberty University
Leonard Moore, University of Notre Dame
Mudia Reuben, University of South Florida
Edwin Spillman, University of Tennessee
Colin Simmons, University of Texas
Marcus Ratcliffe, Texas A&M University
Matt Hofer, University of Toledo

Combined Divisions (FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA)

L'Shawn Taylor, Bemidji State University
Jaegar Ash, Bethel University (Minnesota)
Peyton Ritzert, Central College
Josh Fedd, Harvard University
Shea Ruddy, Hillsdale College
Troy Mrukowski, John Carroll University
Browning Trainer, Johns Hopkins University
Luke Paulsen, Morningside University
Gianna Bennett, Northwestern College
Sam Nolan, Saint John's University (Minnesota)
JayJay Jordan, Slippery Rock University

Head Coach

Kalani Sitake, Brigham Young University

About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^®
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season.

About the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, a member of the National College Football Awards Association, is college football's premier award for community service. The trophy is presented annually by the Wuerffel Foundation to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership and performance on and off the field. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer, Danny Wuerffel, the award honors his commitment to inspiring greater service and unity in the world. Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy is celebrating its 22nd anniversary this year. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the 1996 National Championship. As a humanitarian, he continues to inspire leaders to positively impact their communities. Danny currently serves as President of the Wuerffel Foundation and Executive Director of Desire Street Ministries. An avid pickleball player, he was drafted as a professional within the National Pickleball League and hosts celebrity pro-am "PickleBowl" tournaments.

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