Joe Spencer, C, Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Illinois senior center Joe Spencer was named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for the second straight year, it was announced Wednesday. It is Spencer's second watch list of the season after earning a spot on the Rimington Trophy list (best center).
The Wuerffel Trophy
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as "College Football's Premier Award for Community Service," is presented annually by the All Sports Association in Fort Walton Beach. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel, from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. A record 88 players from the Football Bowl Subdivision were included on this year's watch list.
» Full Watch List
» Last three winners: Ty Darlington (Oklahoma), Deterrian Shackelford (Ole Miss), Gabe Ikard (Oklahoma)
Joe Spencer
• Started 24 of 25 games in the last two seasons, including all 12 of 2015
• Played 83.7% of snaps during the 2015 season
• Helped the Illini allow just 20 sacks against (1.67 per game) in 2015
• Led the Illini's "Lift For Life," which raised over $21,000 for charity this year
• 2015 nominee for the Wuerffel Trophy
• Two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (3.7+ GPA)
• Three-time Academic All-Big Ten
• Earned a bachelor's degree in finance and is enrolled in graduate school
• President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
• Chapter president of Uplifting Athletes
• Illini Leadership Academy participant
• Freshman Athlete Mentor
• Serves as a "Big" at the local Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Spearheaded the Leadership Summit for local middle school students
• Leads the Illini's Thanksgiving Basketball Program
• Has visited nearly every elementary school in Champaign-Urbana
• Has made serveral visits to the pediatric unit of local hospitals
• Special Olympics volunteer
Illini on 2016 Preseason Watch Lists (as of 7/13)
Wes Lunt – Maxwell Award (Off. POY)
Hardy Nickerson – Nagurski Trophy (Def. POY), Butkus Award (LB)
Dawuane Smoot – Bednarik Award (Def. POY)
Joe Spencer – Rimington Trophy (C), Wuerffel Trophy (Community Service)
