Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

The good news keeps on coming for San Jose State, whose senior kicker Bryce Crawford was named one of 12 national semifinalists for the 2018 Wuerffel Trophy.

The Wuerffel Trophy was named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy winner from the University of Florida, and it’s presented annually to the FBS player that flawlessly combines outstanding community service with academic and athletic achievements.

“It’s humbling, because I’ve been trying to do a lot of community service when I can to fit it into my (football) practice and school schedule, trying to give back in whatever way I can. It’s a rewarding experience and I’m excited to be a part of it,” said Crawford, who is tied for 16th place among active kickers for career field goals made with 43.

Crawford’s community service activities range from helping San Jose State’s first-semester students with move-ins to on campus housing, hosting play days and reading sessions for elementary school students, assisting senior citizens with daily living needs, and participating in the annual walk A Mile In Her Shoes campaign to raise awareness and funds to end domestic violence against women.

Crawford, a native of Plano, Texas, is the San Jose State record holder for single-season and career field goals made from 50 or more yards. He was 5-of-8 from 50 or more yards as a junior and 6-for-11 for his career. Crawford shared the national lead in 50-plus yard field goals as a junior.

In 2018, Crawford is the only FBS kicker in the top-50 in both field goals made per game and punting average. He is tied for 19th in field goals made per game at 1.50 and 23rd in punting at 44.0 yards per punt. Crawford has converted his last six field goal tries, including a long of 50 yards in the October 27 win over UNLV.

Crawford is a communication studies major, a San Jose State University Dean’s Scholar, and a two-time Mountain West Scholar Athlete and Academic All-Mountain West award winner.

Finalists for the 2018 Wuerffel Trophy will be named on Monday, November 19 and announced on ESPN the next day. The award winner will announced on Tuesday, December 4 and honored on Friday, February 15, 2019 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

The 2018 Wuerffel Trophy semifinalists–listed alphabetically by university–are:

Brett Rypien, Boise State University, senior, quarterback
Marcus McMaryion, Fresno State University, senior, quarterback
Dalton Risner, Kansas State University, senior, offensive line
Matt Bahr, Kent State University, senior, linebacker
A.J. Cole, III, North Carolina State University, senior, punter
Max Scharping, Northern Illinois University, senior, offensive line
David Blough, Purdue University, senior, quarterback
Bryce Crawford, San Jose State University, senior, kicker/punter
Kielan Whitner, Syracuse University, senior, linebacker
Noah Borden, University of Hawaii, senior, long snapper
Drue Tranquill, University of Notre Dame, senior, linebacker
D’Cota Dixon, University of Wisconsin, senior, defensive back