NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Carson-Newman junior safety Major Williams has been nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, the AFCA announced Tuesday.
Additionally, Carson-Newman head football coach Mike Clowney has received nomination to be the team's honorary head coach.
Historically, Carson-Newman is one of the most well-represented clubs on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Ever committed to community service and helping others with a servnt's heart, Carson-Newman has seen six players recognized as members of the AFCA All State Good Works Team.
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.
From 2011-2016 Carson-Newman had four players honored, the most of any program in the country from NCAA Divisions I, II, III and NAIA.
The Eagles' six selections are the most among NCAA Division II institutions all-time.
Former Carson-Newman quarterback Joey King was selected in back-to-back seasons in 2005 and 2006.
Carson-Newman then had a run of three straight players selected from 2011 to 2013. Future pastors Byron Bell (2011) and Curt Duncan (2013) bookended the run while future coach Kevin Day (2012) was the meat in the sandwich.
Dan Gallman was C-N's last selection, receiving recognition in 2016.
All players honored were recognized at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans for their accomplishments.
An All-SAC selection at defensive back, Williams finished third on the team in tackles and second in the SAC in tackles amongst defensive backs. The UVA transfer finished the year with 49 tackles and five stops for loss. The five tackles for loss are the second-most in C-N history among defensive backs behind All-American safety Darius Williams' 7.5 in 2019.
Williams had a career-high seven tackles on four occasions against Limestone (9/17), Lenoir-Rhyne (9/24), Newberry (10/1) and Catawba (11/12). Those were among five games where he had at least five tackles. Williams had two picks on the year, both of which were against Erskine (10/15). He brought back one of those interceptions 28 yards for a defensive touchdown.
The sophomore had 15 pass break ups on the year, ranking third in the SAC and fifth in the nation. His 17 passes defensed are the 11th most in a single season in school history. His four pass break ups against UVA Wise (11/5) are tied for the fourth most in a single-game in school history. He was named SAC Special Team Player of the Week on Nov. 14.
Off the field, Williams spends time in the offseason ready to kids at area elementary schools in his native Fort Myers, something that he has carried over doing in Jefferson City in season. He is a volunteer coach in the offseason at Dunbar High School in Florida and trains youth in the community for football, basketball and baseball.
He is a volunteer coach at the football camps hosted by VL Sports in his hometown. Twice a week, he works with the Fort Myers Beautification Committee to pick up trash and do basic yardwork in his community in the offseason.
Finally, he spends time helping out at an area barber shop that cut his hair as a child, sweeping and mopping.
When he is in school, he works with Luke 14, a special needs student project through Manley Baptist Church.
The final 22-member team and honorary coach are selected by a voting panel of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members, current and former head coaches and journalists. They look for exceptional leadership on and off the football field.
Williams, Tusculum's Matthew Palazzo and Wingate's Trevor Grant are the only players form the South Atlantic Conference nominated.
Clowney is one of three Division II coaches nominated, joining East Stroudsburg's Jimmy Terwilliger and Hillsdale's Keith Otterbein.
In addition to Tim Tebow and Troy Hawkes, executive vice president and general manager, Allstate Sales and Distribution, the 2023 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team selection panel members are: Zaid Abdul-Aleem (Duke, 1994 team); Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1997, 1998); Brian Brenberg (St. Thomas, 2001); Mike Proman (Amherst, 2002); Wes Counts (Middle Tennessee State, 1999); media members Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN); Blair Kerkhoff (Kansas City Star); and Paul Myerberg (USA Today); 2023 AFCA President and Ouachita Baptist University Head Coach Todd Knight; and 2014 AFCA President and former head coach at Ithaca College, Mike Welch.
After the final team members are announced in September, fans can vote for this year's Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain through the official page on ESPN.com/allstate. Fans can join the conversation on social media with #GoodWorksTeam throughout the season.
Established in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is one of the most coveted community service awards in college football. From the 135 nominees, the final roster of 23 award recipients will bring together 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision; 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA); and one honorary head coach. To be considered for a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining strong academic standing.
