Notre Dame DE Daelin Hayes Named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Notre Dame defensive end Daelin Hayes has been named to a few preseason All-American lists this summer and on Thursday, the fifth-year senior was named to the 2020 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List.
The award is given annually to the college football player "who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement."
On the field, Hayes has totaled 78 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and six sacks during his career for the Irish.
Hayes holds a degree in Film, Television and Theatre from Notre Dame's College of Arts and Letters.
Off the field, Hayes has been extremely active in the community during his time in South Bend, including organizing a rally last month to celebrate Juneteenth at Notre Dame.
List of volunteer efforts (per Notre Dame)
- Food Bank of Northern Indiana (weekly in 2018)
- South Bend Center for the Homeless (weekly 2018-19)
- Boys & Girls Club of St. Joseph County (weekly in 2018)
- Facilitator at Notre Dame Summer Bridge Program (2019) helping new freshman student-athletes begin at college
- Kindness to Prevent Blindness helping underprivileged youth get eye exams and glasses
- Ambassador for Irish Strong mental health initiative for student-athletes
- A representative for Fighting Irish Fight for Life program which sees teams adopt children fighting a rare disease
- Volunteer to read weekly at Studebaker Elementary School (first graders)
- Mentor at the South Bend Juvenile Detention Center.
Former Notre Dame linebacker and LA Charger, Drue Tranquill, won the award in 2018.
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service,” is presented each February in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
Semifinalists for the award will be announced Nov. 3 and finalists will be announced Nov. 23. The formal announcement of the 2020 recipient will be made at the National Football Foundation’s festivities in New York City on December 8. The presentation of the 2020 Wuerffel Trophy will occur at the 52nd All Sports Association Awards Banquet on Feb. 5, 2020, in Fort Walton Beach.
Watch List Calendar
Monday July 13: Chuck Bednarik Award (Kyle Hamilton, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah)
Tuesday July 14: Davey O’Brien Award (Ian Book)
Wednesday July 15: Doak Walker Award
Thursday July 16: Biletnikoff Award
Friday July 17: Mackey Award
Monday July 20: Butkus Award (Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah)
Monday July 20: Jim Thorpe Award
Tuesday July 21: Outland Trophy (Aaron Banks, Liam Eichenberg and Jarrett Patterson)
Tuesday July 21: Nagurski Award (Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Drew White)
Wednesday July 22: Lou Groza Award (Jon Doerer)
Wednesday July 22: Ray Guy Award
Thursday July 23: Hornung Award
Thursday July 23: Wuerffel Trophy (Daelin Hayes)
Friday July 24: Maxwell Award