Tony Bradford named to Wuerffel Trophy watch list
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Wuerffel Foundation revealed Thursday morning that Texas Tech’s Tony Bradford Jr. was named to the preseason watch list for the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy, college football’s premier award for community service. The watch list for the 2023 season consists of 110 players from college football’s Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
It’s a return visit to the watch list for the senior defensive tackle as Bradford was previously on the Wuerffel Trophy watch list during the 2021 and 2022 seasons and was narrowed down to being one of 12 semifinalists his second time on the list.
In addition to being a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy last season, he was also a 2022 member of the AFCA Good Works Team. Bradford was one of 11 FBS student-athletes named to the Good Works Team and became the fourth Red Raider all-time to be named to the team.
Having made such an impact on the Lubbock community over his five years on campus, Bradford earned the nickname “The Mayor” for all his contributions to the West Texas community. Bradford is the driving force behind a Texas Tech football program that has committed more than 2,000 hours of community service in the past two years alone, contributing to visits to local elementary and junior high schools, the Ronald McDonald House, the Texas Boys Ranch, South Plains Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Burgers and Badges and area children’s homes.
Possibly his biggest impact has been felt on the youth of tomorrow as Bradford regularly meets with local youth athletes to encourage them to be a positive example for their community.
In addition to his role in the community, Bradford has taken steps to advance his future career in law enforcement while at Texas Tech by serving as a security guard with the Texas Tech Police Department. Bradford plans to become a police officer once his playing career is completed.
The Wuerffel Trophy is named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida who parlayed his success on the football field into a lifetime of service. The Wuerffel Trophy embodies Danny’s commitment to being a humanitarian while honoring student-athletes who are inspired to serve others and make positive impacts on society.
“The life changing impact of thinking of others before ourselves is so rewarding, and it’s truly inspiring to see so many student-athletes recognize this, and use their platform for good,” said Danny Wuerffel. “College Football players across the country are making a difference in their communities, and I’m excited to see so many incredible stories associated with the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy candidates.”
Nominations for the Wuerffel Trophy are made by the respective universities’ Sports Information Departments and will close on Oct. 16. An up-to-date list of nominees can be found at wuerffeltrophy.org. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 2, and finalists will be announced on Nov. 28. The formal announcement of the 2023 recipient is scheduled to be made during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
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Release provided by MATT BURKHOLDER Texas Tech Athletics
