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Wayne State University Athletics

Ethan Gates - Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

Football Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Gates Named Nominee For AFCA Good Works Team

DETROIT -- Wayne State University graduate student offensive lineman Ethan Gates (St. Clair Shores, Mich. / Lakeview) has been announced as one of the nominees for the AFCA Good Works Team.  Wesley is one of two GLIAC players nominated (Grand Valley State's Kellen Reed), and only one of eight from the state of Michigan (Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Hillsdale, Michigan, Michigan State and Western Michigan).

Off the field, Gates has participated in the Warrior Strides program (2024 and 2025), which is a campaign to support Alternatives for Girls (AFG), a Detroit-based organization whose mission is to help girls and young women avoid violence, early pregnancy, and exploitation.  Warrior Strides collected new socks throughout the entire month of October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  The slogan of "making strides to end the silence surrounding domestic violence" is a testament to WSU's commitment to supporting community organizations like AFG, and their goal in reducing homelessness and providing support to the girls and young women who need it most; The Salvation Army (2024 and 2025), where he made sandwiches for people in need; Toys for Tots (Dec. 2023) is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas; Boxes of Love partners with local area hospitals to provide babies and children being discharged from the hospital into foster care with a Box of Love; Detroit Free Press Marathon (water station - Oct. 2025)

Academically, he has been named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (term GPA 3.5+) all eight semesters, including five 4.0 terms.  He earned his bachelor's degree with a 3.92 cumulative grade-point average in the Health & Physical Education Teaching curriculum.  Gates was the 2025-26 Deans' Award winner from the College of Education for having the highest cumulative grade-point average among all student-athletes in that particular
college.  He was the recipient of the Courtney "Cortez" Smith Award which recognizes a member of the Wayne State University football program whose contributions include:  a positive approach to all aspects of the program both on and off the field; noticeable improvement to academic growth and progress, as well as skill and physical development; and finally, growing spiritually and contributing to the overall vitality of the football program.  Gates has been named to the GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team the last three years.

In addition, Gates was an inductee into WSU's inaugural (2024-25) Chi Alpha Sigma Athlete Honor Society class.  A three-year recipient of the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award, he was also the 2024-25 WSU Football Scholar-Athlete Award winner and received membership into the National Football Foundation's Hampshire Honor Society following the 2025-26 academic year.

On the gridiron, Gates has appeared in 25 contests in three seasons with the Green and Gold, making 10 starts (nine at right tackle, and one at left tackle).  He started seven times in 2025, including the first five games (four at left tackle, at right tackle vs. Quincy).  Gates played every offensive snap in six games last fall.

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
Key Takeaways: 

Allstate and AFCA named 162 student-athletes as nominees for the 2026 Good Works Team, recognizing college football players who lead through community service, academics and athletics. 

This year's nominees are creating positive impact in their communities through causes ranging from maternal health and youth mentorship to supporting children with disabilities and veterans. 

For the first time in the program's 35-year history, a female student-athlete is among the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominees. 

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team reflects Allstate's longstanding commitment to supporting student-athletes who strengthen their communities through service.
 
NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) today named 175 nominees for the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, recognizing student-athletes and head coaches from every level of college football who are making an impact through community service, academic achievement and leadership. 

For the first time in the award's 35-year history, a female student-athlete is among the nominees.  Gianna Bennett, a kicker at Northwestern College in Iowa, earned a nomination after helping raise $40,000 for a maternal health education campaign that provides expectant parents with potentially life-saving information to support healthy pregnancies.

What is the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team?
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognizes college football student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service, academics and athletics.  Established in 1992 and presented by Allstate since 2008, the program honors players who use their platforms to strengthen communities and support causes important to them. 

What causes are this year's nominees supporting?
This year's nominees are tackling a wide range of challenges in communities across the United States and beyond.  Their efforts include youth mentorship, maternal health awareness, disability inclusion, childhood cancer research, clean water access and support for military veterans. 

What makes the 2026 nominee class unique?
From head coaches building cultures of service to student-athletes making an impact in their own communities and around the world, this year's nominees are creating meaningful change.  Their efforts include helping raise a record $18.8 million for childhood cancer research, delivering more than 10,000 hours of tutoring and generating over $27,000 for World War II veterans.

How is the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team selected?
The 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team will be announced in September and include 22 student-athletes and one honorary head coach.  One student-athlete will also be selected as team captain and receive the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.

A selection panel composed of former Good Works Team members, college football coaches, journalists and other leaders connected to the award reviews nominations from across the country.  Voters evaluate candidates based on the breadth and depth of their community service, demonstrated leadership, academic achievement and the measurable impact they have had on the people and causes they serve.  The panel then selects 11 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players (FBS), 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) ranks, and one honorary head coach.

Who are the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominees?
The 2026 nominee class includes student-athletes and coaches from every level of college football competition. 
  • 175 total nominees, including 113 FBS players, 49 student-athletes from the FCS, Divisions II, III and NAIA ranks, and 13 head coach nominees.
  • First female nominee in the program's 35-year history.
  • Big Ten leads all conferences with 21 nominees, followed by the ACC with 16. The SEC and Big 12 each have 15 nominees. 
About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was 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.

About Allstate's Impact Through Collegiate Athletics
Allstate's longstanding support of collegiate athletics is part of its commitment to empowering young people to lead in their communities.  Allstate has been a proud member of the college athletics community for more than 20 years through its university and conference sponsorships, academic scholarships and community impact initiatives.  Since 2005, the Allstate Good Hands Nets program has raised millions of dollars in scholarships with every field goal and extra point scored.  Allstate recently upped the donations for each kick, funding more scholarships for student-athletes across all sports.  Since 2008, the Allstate Good Works Teams have honored hundreds of student-athletes for their service off the field, supporting causes such as youth empowerment and hunger relief.  Allstate has been the title sponsor of the Allstate Sugar Bowl, one of the premier events in college football, since 2006.

About the AFCA
The American Football Coaches Association (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."

For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com.  If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page.  If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Request Form.

About the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, a member of the National College Football Awards Association, is college football's premier award for community service.  The trophy is presented annually by the Wuerffel Foundation to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership and performance on and off the field.  Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer, Danny Wuerffel, the award honors his commitment to inspiring greater service and unity in the world.  Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy is celebrating its 22nd anniversary this year.  Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the 1996 National Championship.  As a humanitarian, he continues to inspire leaders to positively impact their communities.  Danny currently serves as President of the Wuerffel Foundation and Executive Director of Desire Street Ministries.  An avid pickleball player, he was drafted as a professional within the National Pickleball League and hosts celebrity pro-am "PickleBowl" tournaments.
 
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Players Mentioned

Ethan Gates

#76 Ethan Gates

OL
6' 6"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Ethan Gates

#76 Ethan Gates

6' 6"
Graduate Student
OL