VIDEO: Dan Gallman interview
In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and the AFCA, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing.
"We're excited for him because it's a sign that he's been encouraged to do something that's very special," head coach Ken Sparks said. "It's his call and he's doing it. Dan's always wanted to make a difference in other people's lives. He cares about others, and do see him around little kids is just amazing, he really connects with them. We're so excited for him and just so proud of him. This is a great honor, and I think it's one of the best ones."
Carson-Newman has seen six players make the make the final 25 as Byron Bell (2011), Kevin Day (2012) and Curt Duncan (2013) did so in consecutive seasons with Joey King earning a spot in 2005 and 2003.
The Eagles six selections are the most in all Division II. The Eagles trail St. Thomas (Minn.) (D-III), 13 and Bethel (Minn.) (D-III), for the most selections among non-FBS schools. The Eagles are tied with FCS power North Dakota State.
The Naples, Fla. native is a two-time College Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA) Academic All-District selection with a 3.80 GPA in finance and a second-team All-South Atlantic Conference selection in 2015. He was named preseason first team All-SAC prior to the start of this season.
Carson-Newman has more Allstate AFCA Good Works team selections in the last six seasons (four) than every FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA program in the country. The Eagles trail only Duke and Georgia for the number of selections to the team since 2011 overall. The Blue Devils and Bulldogs each have five honorees.
Carson-Newman's football program has more Good Works team honorees than the rest of the South Atlantic Conference combined. Three Tusculum Pioneers have been honored, while Wingate saw linebacker Eric Mapoles recognized in 2014.
In addition to his on-field achievements and work in the classroom, Gallman has helped with the Jefferson City Food Bank and reads to kids at Jefferson City Elementary frequently. He has volunteered each year with Luke 14, a special needs day where he goes to Manley Baptist Church to assist with activities.
The senior has volunteered at Carson-Newman's yearly day of service, Operation INASMUCH, and the football team's annual day of service. In 2015, he spent a day as a coach for a football camp organized by Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation. He also assisted with moving the Voice of the Eagles Adam Cavalier and his wife into their new home.
"I knew there was something special about him when I recruited him," Sparks said. "He comes from a program at Naples High School in Florida that's coached by Bill Kramer, and he does things the right way. It was quickly apparent to me that Dan had some substance to him. It's been a whole lotta fun to watch him develop."
Gallman was second on the team in overall grade and knockdowns in 2015. He has cleared the way for a 1,000-yard rusher in all three of his seasons as a starter for Carson-Newman. The Eagles rushed for 570 yards in the regular season finale in 2015 – the fifth highest single-game tally in Carson-Newman football history – behind Gallman's blocking. Carson-Newman cracked 60 points three times and 600 yards of total offense three times behind Gallman's road-grading capabilities.
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.
NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A)
Name Cl. Pos. School Hometown
Deshaun Watson Jr. QB Clemson University Gainesville, Ga.
Derek McCartney Jr. LB University of Colorado-Boulder Westminster, Colo.
DeVon Edwards RSr. DB Duke University Covington, Ga.
Alec Eberle RSo. OL Florida State University Mechanicsville, Va.
Jeb Blazevich Jr. TE University of Georgia Charlotte, N.C.
KeShun Freeman Jr. DL Georgia Institute of Technology LaGrange, Ga.
Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea RSr. DL University of Hawaii Honolulu, O'ahu
Mike Caprara RSr. LB University of Pittsburgh Turtle Creek, Pa.
Caylin Moore Sr. DB TCU Carson, Calif.
Dane Evans RSr. QB University of Tulsa Sanger, Texas
Oren Burks RJr. LB Vanderbilt University Fairfax Station, Va.
Zach Terrell RSr. QB Western Michigan University Fort Wayne, Ind.
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA), Divisions II, III and NAIA
Name Cl. Pos. School Hometown
Zach Bernhard RSr. LB Ashland University Ashland, Ohio
Drew Neuville Sr. TE Bethel University (Minn.) Green Bay, Wis.
Dan Gallman Sr. OL Carson-Newman University Naples, Fla.
Nate Casey Sr. LB Davidson College Tega Cay, S.C.
Michael Allen Sr. LB University of the Incarnate Word Garland, Texas
Luke Grooters Sr. LB Morningside College Rock Rapids, Iowa
Carl Jones RSr. OL North Carolina Central University Nashville, Tenn.
Corbin Jountti Jr. RB Northern Arizona University Bakersfield, Calif.
Zach Clark Sr. OL Oklahoma Baptist University Oklahoma City, Okla.
Kaymon Farmer Sr. WR Southeastern Oklahoma State University Pittsburg, Texas
Trent Brodbeck RSr. TE Wayne State University (Mich.) Toledo, Ohio
Brett Kasper Jr. QB University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Two Rivers, Wis.
Honorary Head Coach
Name School
Mark Richt University of Miami