Nov. 2, 2017
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – Vanderbilt placekicker Tommy Openshaw was named today as a semifinalist for the prestigious Wuerffel Trophy.
Openshaw, a four-year Vanderbilt starter currently in his first year of graduate studies on campus, is one of 11 student-athletes nationwide under consideration for the Wuerffel Trophy, known as “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service.”
The Wuerffel Trophy recognition continues an impressive list of off-the-field honors for Openshaw, who ranks the leading kickers in team history. In September, he was named to the 11-player Allstate-American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) national FBS Good Works Team. He was nominated for Campbell Award and National Scholar status from the National Football Foundation.
Openshaw’s recognition from the Wuerffel Trophy is based on his combination of academic and athletic accomplishment, and array of community service activities.
“Tommy is very deserving of being a Wuerffel Trophy semifinalist. He’s an outstanding teammate and a tremendous representative of the Vanderbilt football program,” Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason said. “Tommy’s been about providing service to others since the day he arrived on campus.”
Openshaw has played an active role in the Nashville-area as a Vanderilt student. He has assisted the homeless community at Nashville’s Room at the Inn, visited with ailing youngsters at Vanderbilt’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital and helped several Catholic charities involving elementary school students.
He also has traveled abroad in each of the last four years to help impoverished communities. He has visited the Dominican Republic on two occasions, St. Lucia and Costa Rica on mission efforts.
Academically, Openshaw is in his first year working toward a master’s in Leadership and Organization Performance at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College. A six-time dean’s list recipient, he earned undergraduate degrees in Economics and Engineering Science last May.
On the field, Openshaw is 36-of-56 on field goal attempts and 93-of-94 on extra point tries during his Commodore career. coming off one of the finest seasons ever by a Commodore kicker. He ranks third all-time among Vanderbilt kickers with 214 points scored and is tied for fifth for most field goals made.
The Wuerffel Trophy, named after Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from the University of Florida, is awarded to the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
“Each year I’m amazed by the quality of student athletes who are nominated by their schools, and this year is no different,” said Danny Wuerffel. “Not only is it very difficult to pick a winner, it’s also a struggle to select the semifinalists. In a time when so much negative attention gets directed to a few players and their poor choices, it’s refreshing to see the positive impact these young men are having in their communities.”
In addition to Openshaw, 2017 Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalists are Arkansas State defensive back Blaise Taylor, Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson, Duke offensive lineman Gabe Brandner, MTSU quarterback Brent Stockstill, N.C. State punter A.J. Cole III, Stanford defensive lineman Harrison Phillips, Arkansas offensive lineman Frank Ragnow, Kentucky linebacker Courtney Love, Notre Dame linebacker Dreu Tranquill and Pitt offensive lineman Brian O’Neill.
Voting for the Wuerffel Trophy is performed by a National Selection Committee that includes college football television and print media, industry notables, former head coaches and prior Wuerffel Trophy recipients. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 22, 2017, and the formal announcement of the 2017 Wuerffel Trophy recipient will be on Dec. 5, 2017, at the National Football Foundation’s press conference in New York City.
The 2017 Wuerffel Trophy winner will be invited to attend “The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show” on ESPNU and ESPN3 on Dec. 7, 2017.
Past winners of the Wuerffel Trophy are: 2016 Trevor Knight, Texas A&M University; 2015 Ty Darlington, University of Oklahoma; 2014 Deterrian Shackelford, University of Mississippi; 2013 Gabe Ikard, University of Oklahoma; 2012 Matt Barkley, University of Southern California; 2011 Barrett Jones, University of Alabama; 2010 Sam Acho, University of Texas; 2009 Tim Hiller, Western Michigan University; 2008 Tim Tebow, University of Florida; 2007 Paul Smith, University of Tulsa; 2006 Joel Penton, Ohio State University; and 2005 Rudy Niswanger, Louisiana State University.