Nebraska’s Donovan Jones has been named to the 2026 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List. The announcement recognizes Jones among 113 nominees for college football’s premier community service award. The trophy honors players who combine outstanding community service with excellence in the classroom and on the field.

Named after former University of Florida quarterback and 1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, the award celebrates athletes who use their platforms to serve others and inspire greater community involvement. Established in 2005, it is presented in partnership with Allstate and is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. In September, 11 players from the watch list will advance as members of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and become semifinalists. A national committee, with fan voting input, selects finalists, and the winner is announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards show in December. The recipient also serves as captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

Jones, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound Omaha native and product of Omaha North High School, enters his redshirt sophomore season in 2026. As a redshirt freshman in 2025, he played in all 13 games and started 11. He recorded 59 tackles, tied for the team lead with five pass breakups, and notched his first career interception. His tackle total made him just the fifth Nebraska freshman to reach at least 50 stops since the NCAA restored freshman eligibility in 1972. 

Off the field, Jones has been highly active in the Nebraska community, volunteering at food banks, kitchens, public schools, and various centers. Earlier in 2026, he received the Sam Foltz 27 Hero Leadership Award, which recognizes student-athletes for exceptional leadership, consistent community service, and positive team influence. He has also earned spots on the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team and Tom Osborne Citizenship Team in both 2025 and 2026, along with Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2025, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar recognition in 2026, and other academic accolades including four-time Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll status and Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar honors. He is additionally listed as an AFCA Good Works Team nominee. Jones is the first Cornhusker to ever be nominated for the Wuffel Award.