NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Luke Papilion of the University of Sioux Falls Football Team has been named by Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) as one 165 nominees for the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, one of the most coveted off-the-field honors in college football.

Papilion, who is just one of two NSIC nominees, returns for his senior season as NSIC's only active two-time Harlon Hill candidate. A senior business administration major from Denver, Colo., Papilion has led USF to a 26-9 record and consecutive postseason appearances in three seasons at USF. In his career, Papilion has completed 537-of-922 passes for 6,783 yards with 62 TDs.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the AFCA Good Works Team award, which was established in 1992 to recognize a select group of college football players who have made a commitment to service and enriching the lives of others. For 25 years, the players selected have carried on the award's mission by demonstrating that 'good works' extend beyond the football field.  This year's nominees uphold impressive service resumes detailing inspiring stories of servitude and the exceptional ability to balance academics with athletics, while donating their limited free time and energy to helping others.

The recognition pleases USF head coach Jed Stugart. "Luke is an extraordinary leader, who excels on the field and in the classroom while giving time and attention to public service. We are exceptionally proud of the role model that he has become," he said.

A two-time NSIC total offense leader consecutive seasons (4,038, 2015; 3,583, 2014), Papilion owns USF career record in pass completions (537), ranks third all-time in pass attempts (922) and fifth in yardage (6,783). He was named first team All-NSIC and became USFs first-ever NSIC Offensive Player of the Year in 2014. Named second team All-NSIC in 2015, he has a combined 89 TDs (2nd in school history (Dax Michelena, 1997-01, 119 TDs), and 9,179 yards in total offense (second all-time at USF, Dax Michelena, 1997-01, and 10,420 yards).

During his career, he has 19 career games of 300 yards in total offense with two over 400 and the career-best, school record of 506 vs. Winona State on Oct. 10. To this point, Papilion has recorded 383 carries for 2,396 rushing yards, which ranks eighth all-time at USF. With 27 TDs, he is tied with Glenn Thomas (1999-2002) for 15th on the USF career TDs list. He also ranks second  to Dax Michelena (2,779) in rushing yards by a quarterback and has recorded seven 100-yard rushing games with a high of 240 yards and five TDs in his first home start in 2013 vs. Northern State.

Selected fourth team All-American in 2014, he also has been named all-region and been named National Player of the Week twice. During summer of 2015, he worked at Northwestern Mutual and was selected one of the top 25 interns in the nation. Aside from his school work, Papilion is active in service, volunteering for the Center for Active Generations as well as at the Banquet to help the needy. A volunteer for three years at USF's Cougars Camps, he has assisted the Make-A-Wish organization to help raise funds. He has also packaged food goods for delivery to need children oversees.
 
"Allstate is proud to join the AFCA in celebrating 25 years of honoring college football players who represent the sport's finest in volunteerism and leadership," said Thomas Clarkson, president of the west territory for Allstate Insurance Company and a member of the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® voting panel. "The positive impact these young athletes have on their communities is an inspiration to us all and another reason to celebrate the good happening in our communities."
 With winning records and championships on the line each season, off-the-field service contributions can go overlooked. The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® pays tribute to these stories of good and the student-athletes who have dedicated countless hours towards helping others.  From donating bone marrow to save a stranger's life, to helping build a school in a rural village overseas, the players nominated to the 25th anniversary team have demonstrated a unique commitment to improving their communities.
 "The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team has been one of the most prestigious off-the-field awards in college football for the past 25 years," AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry said. "It is with great pride that we partner with Allstate to highlight some of the best student-athletes in the country who not only excel on the field, but off of it as well."
 
In honor of the 25th anniversary, Allstate and the AFCA will add three additional spots to this year's team and announce a final roster of 25 members in September. For the first time in the award's history, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® will be comprised of 12 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, 12 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA and an honorary head coach.

From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Good Works Team® members and prominent college football media members will select the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.® 

 The 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® voting panel includes: former Good Works Team® members Zaid Abdul-Aleem (Duke, 1994 team), Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1997, 1998 teams), Brian Brenberg (St. Thomas, 2001 team), Mike Proman (Amherst, 2002 team), media members Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN) and Blair Kerkhoff (Kansas City Star); current AFCA President and Ashland University head coach Lee Owens; 2001 AFCA President and current athletic director at Virginia Union University Joe Taylor; and Thomas Clarkson, president of the west territory for Allstate Insurance Company.

Once the final team members are announced in September, fans are encouraged to visit the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® website on ESPN.com, featuring profiles and images of the players, for the opportunity to vote for the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® Captain.
 
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams® were 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. The AFCA was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 11,000 members around the world ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was formed, in part, to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession" and to "provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football."