Johnson Announced As Eagles’ 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee

7.17.24

By: Dusty Sloan, Ashland University Director of Athletic Communications

Junior wide receiver Dru Johnson has added his name to the impressive line of Ashland University football players nominated for the Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team.
 
On Wednesday (July 17), Johnson was announced as one of a record 178 nominees for the 2024 Good Works Team. Johnson has volunteer experience at his alma mater, Van Wert High School, with AU's Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, Ashland Special Olympics, Ashland Southview Grace Brethren Church, Ashland Balloonfest, and more.
 
Johnson saw action in one varsity football game in 2023, after playing in three varsity contests in 2022 and being redshirted in 2021. His cumulative grade-point average through the spring 2024 semester is 3.815 as a Sport Management major.
 
Ashland has had Good Works Team nominees in seven of the last nine years, and has seen four Eagles – Trent Maddox (2023), Austin Brenner (2022), Austin Phillips (2021) and Zach Bernhard (2016) – become members of the team.
 
From the AFCA press release:
 
Established in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognizes college football athletes for their unwavering commitment to community service and their "good works" off the field. This year's 178 nominees champion causes including mental health awareness, youth mentorship, hunger relief, domestic abuse prevention, and many more. In addition to being actively involved with a charitable organization or service group, each player must also maintain strong academic standing to be considered for a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
 
"You'll never regret making someone else's life better," said Tim Tebow, two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, 2008 Wuerffel Trophy recipient, and 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team member. "Year after year, I'm inspired by these incredible nominees who go above and beyond to help others."
 
The final roster of 23 award recipients announced later in September will bring together:
  • 11 players from the NCAA FBS
  • 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
  • 1 honorary head coach
All members are selected by a voting panel of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members, current and former head coaches and journalists who look for exceptional leadership on and off the football field.
 
Fans can join the conversation on social media with #GoodWorksTeam throughout the season.
 
ASHLAND UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEES
2024 – Dru Johnson
2023 – Trent Maddox (named to Good Works Team)
2022 – Austin Brenner (named to Good Works Team)
2021 – Austin Phillips (named to Good Works Team)
2019 – Clay Shreve
2018 – Travis Downing
2016 – Zach Bernhard (named to Good Works Team)