South Carolina's Shane Beamer, Oscar Adaway nominated for AFCA Good Works Team

On Tuesday, the American Football Coaches Association announced its list of nominees for the 2025 edition of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. A pair of Gamecocks made the cut, as South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and senior running back Oscar Adaway are two of 197 overall nominees for the distinction.

Beamer, who is entering his fifth season as the headman in Columbia, established the Beamer Family Foundation along with his wife Emily. The foundation serves Columbia area children, especially in underserved areas in Richland County.

Adaway transferred to South Carolina before the 2024 season and has been an example of character and leadership since his arrival. This offseason, the seventh-year college football player also was the chairman of the SEC Football Leadership Council.

Each year, the AFCA recognizes coaches and players who display leadership and a commitment to community service. In September, 23 players (11 from the FBS level and 11 more from lower levels of college football) and one head coach will make the honorary final roster. One player also will receive the Danny Wuerffel Trophy–named for the former Florida quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner with the same name–as the top example of service and leadership in college football.

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From the South Carolina Athletics release:

University of South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer and running back Oscar Adaway III are among a record-breaking 197 nominees for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, it was announced today.

College football student-athletes and head coaches from all levels of the sport are recognized for their commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron.

“I’ve been a part of this team, and these players aren’t just showing up, they’re standing out,” said Sam Acho, ESPN analyst, former NFL linebacker, author and 2010 Good Works Team member and Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient. “Their commitment to service creates lasting change and inspires the next generation.”

Adaway III, a 5-11, 219-pounder from North Little Rock, Ark., is in his second year with the Gamecocks and his seventh collegiate season overall. Since coming to Columbia in 2024, Adaway III has been part of the SEC Leadership Conference Service Project, Shop with the Jocks, Cocky’s All Sports Camp, MLK Day of Service and the Beamer Foundation Backpack Drive. In addition, he has been a member of SAAC and is the 2025 SEC Football Leadership Council Chair.

Beamer, who is in his fifth season guiding the Gamecock football program, and his wife, Emily, founded the Beamer Family Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering children and families through educational, health and community support initiatives. The Foundation focuses on uplifting underserved communities, particularly in Richland County.

For the second year, Allstate is partnering with the Wuerffel Foundation to align two of college football’s most meaningful honors: the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. Together, they recognize student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in community service, academics and athletics.

“When nearly 200 young athletes choose to serve, it creates a ripple effect far beyond the game,” said Danny Wuerffel, former NFL quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer for whom the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is named. “Their leadership in the community is just as worthy of recognition as their performance on the field.”

The final roster of 23 award recipients announced in September will bring together:

• 11 players from the NCAA FBS
• 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
• 1 honorary head coach

A voting panel of former Good Works Team members, head coaches and journalists select the team roster based on outstanding leadership on and off the field.

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