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After winning Wuerffel Trophy, OL Dillan Gibbons reflects on Florida State journey

by:Austin Cox•12/08/22•

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Florida State offensive lineman Dillan Gibbons (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

During college football’s largest awards night of the year, the Florida State football team was well-represented by a redshirt senior offensive lineman and team leader who received yet another special honor.

FSU offensive guard Dillan Gibbons took home the Wuerffel Trophy on Thursday for his considerable charity work and his leadership for the Seminole football team, which finished 9-3 and is ranked No. 13 in the nation heading into bowl season.

“I’ve just tried to build up and boost as many guys that I can. Wrap my arms around them and show them the right way to conduct business,” Gibbons said of his two years with the Seminoles. “The right way to live their life and how to make the most out of every opportunity they get on the football field and in the classroom and in the community.”

The Wuerffel Trophy, according to the award’s official website, is “presented to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.”

Gibbons clearly fits the bill. Since transferring in from Notre Dame during the summer of 2021, he has greatly impacted the Florida State program while going above and beyond in his charitable efforts.

Gibbons’ Big Man Big Heart charity and other efforts have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for those in need. His initiative now has similar branches on other college campuses.

“To be able to [multiply] this goodness times 10, bring it all over college football, at least to as many people as I could touch,” Gibbons said. “What more could I do with this? How could I help more people with this?”

ALSO READ: FSU’s Dillan Gibbons: A big man with a big heart and even bigger aspirations

A redshirt senior who spent four years at Notre Dame before finishing out his career with FSU, Gibbons beat out Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan and Stanford defensive back Patrick Fields for the award.

While earning first-team All-ACC honors this season, Gibbons started all 12 games and played the most snaps of any ‘Nole on the team. He started 11 games last season in his first year with Florida State.

The award was far from the first major honor Gibbons has received this season. The St. Petersburg native recently was voted captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, and he also took home the Jim Tatum Award as the ACC’s top football scholar-athlete last month.

ALSO READ: FSU offensive lineman Dillan Gibbons honored as captain of Allstate Good Works Team

ALSO READ: Florida State’s Dillan Gibbons honored as ACC’s top football scholar-athlete

Gibbons will finish out his college career in a few weeks as Florida State (9-3) takes on Oklahoma (6-6) in the Cheez-It Bowl on Dec. 29 at 5:30 p.m. (ESPN).

When asked about the matchup and this season, Gibbons praised the progress of both the FSU offense and defense. He added that the Seminoles are “in a really good spot” moving into 2023.

“I’ve been very grateful for every opportunity I’ve had here at Florida State. Whether that was my first game against Notre Dame or my last game of the season against Florida. I just want to play more football with this group,” Gibbons said. “It’s been incredible to see what this team has been able to put together. [On] defense, not a lot of teams have scored very much, if at all. And on offense, having such a dynamic quarterback that has blossomed.

“Bowl games are a great way to see how developed your team is. … I am looking forward to seeing how our team does. I am excited for this group of guys because I know what it means to them to be able to play another game with this group, I hope we make the most of the opportunity.”

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.

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