NCCU’s Leverett Earns Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® Distinction

Nick Leverette

By KYLE SERBA


Kyle Serba
Kyle Serba

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – North Carolina Central University offensive lineman Nick Leverett is one of only 22 college football players in the nation to earn distinguished recognition as a member of the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, announced by Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association on Thursday (Sept. 13).

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® has been one of the most esteemed honors in college football for more than 25 years, celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of college football student-athletes on the field, in the classroom and in the community.

A native of Concord, North Carolina, Leverett is a two-time All-MEAC offensive lineman and team captain, a three-year graduate with a degree in criminal justice and a 3.37 overall grade point average, a campus leader, and an active participant in community service.

“In the last three years, I’ve watched Nick grow into one of the finest young men that I know,” said NCCU football head coach Granville Eastman. “Nick is not only a model student-athlete, but he is also a model citizen. He is one of the best and the brightest that we have to offer.”

NCCU student-athlete leadership and engagement coordinator George Midgett considers Leverett one of the most well-rounded and mature students he has ever worked with. “His commitment to academics, athletics and service make him an excellent representation of NCCU,” said Midgett. “He has tirelessly dedicated himself to bettering the campus and the surrounding community in serving more than 125 hours of community service.

“One case in particular comes to mind when thinking of his selflessness,” Midgett added. “After a meal, Nick, unprompted, gathered leftover food from a campus outing and led of a group of students to distribute the meal to members of the Durham homeless community.”

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® is comprised of 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA and one honorary head coach.

The 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® will be invited to New Orleans to participate in a special community service project ahead of the 2019 Allstate® Sugar Bowl®, where the entire team will also be recognized on the field during a halftime presentation.

Leverett is the third NCCU football student-athlete to earn distinction on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® in recent years, joining Jordan Reid in 2013 and Carl Jones in 2016.

NICK LEVERETT:

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Leverett has participated in numerous community service initiatives as a member of the NCCU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the NCCU football team, his fraternity and honor society, as well as on his own…

FPG Bilingue Elementary School – March 2018 (Chapel Hill, NC)

- Spoke to elementary students about character building, breaking barriers, and not giving up during adverse times.

“Ties of Honor” – Feb. 2018 (Durham, NC)

- Taught fellow male students about professional etiquette and how to tie a necktie.

Toiletry Drive – Fall 2015, 2016 & 2017

- Collected unused toiletries from hotels where athletic teams stayed and created toiletry bags for the Durham Rescue Mission. (NCCU SAAC)

Feed-A-Family Thanksgiving – 2015, 2016 & 2017

- Collected donations and food to feed the less fortunate for Thanksgiving. (NCCU SAAC)

Real Talk – Feb. 2018

- Collaborated with campus police to discuss issues of campus safety. (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.)

Habitat for Humanity – (multiple times)

- Volunteered to build houses for the less fortunate.

Durham Rescue Mission – Oct. 2017

- Gathered and donated more than 200 canned goods to the Durham Rescue Mission in support of the surrounding community.

Back-Pack Drive – Aug. 2017 (fraternity)

- Gathered back packs and other school supplies to help kids going back to school. (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.)

Ronald McDonald House – July 2017

- Baked and cleaned to assist patients and their families. (NCCU Preparing to Soar Program) Seeds – July 2017

- Worked in gardens to promote community growth. (NCCU Preparing to Soar Program)

Pizza for Homeless – July 2017

- Gathered mentees and drove around Durham, NC passing out food to the homeless.

“OneLove” Domestic Violence – March 2017

- Watched the movie “OneLove” and participated in an activity involving domestic violence awareness. (NCCU Football)

Kiss Away Cancer – Feb. 2017

- Made Valentine’s Day cards for cancer patients. (NCCU Football)

ATHLETICS

2018 National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award Winner (football performance, academic achievement, school leadership)

Two-time All-MEAC Selection

- 2017 All-MEAC Second Team

- 2016 All-MEAC Third Team

2016 FCS Football Freshman All-American - Second Team (TonySoftli.com)

Two-time MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week (2016 & 2017)

2016 NCCU Football Newcomer of the Year

He has started every game on the offensive line during his two seasons at NCCU.

ACADEMICS

3.37 overall GPA / Criminal Justice major

Earned bachelor’s degree in summer 2018 (just three years, plus summer school), and began graduate school in Fall 2018.

Two-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) All-Academic Team

Seven-time Dean’s List Honoree (3.600 GPA in Spring 2018 semester)

Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society Inductee (2018)

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

NCCU Director of Athletics Captains Council – Football Liaison

NCCU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) – Football Liaison/Community Service Coordinator

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Tau Psi Chapter – Keeper of Peace

NCCU Football Team Captain – 2017 (2018 captains will be announced in summer)

U.S. Marines “Battles Won” Symposium Honoree (at 2018 MEAC Basketball Tournament)

The following players and honorary head coach have been named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®:

Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)

Clemson University - Sean Pollard

Duke University - Johnathan Lloyd

Kansas State University - Dalton Risner

Syracuse University - Kielan Whitner

University of California, Berkeley - Patrick Laird

University of Georgia - Rodrigo Blankenship

University of Nebraska - Freedom Akinmoladun

University of Notre Dame - Nic Weishar

University of Oklahoma - Caleb Kelly

University of Texas - Chase Moore

University of Wisconsin - D’Cota Dixon

Combined Divisions (FCS, II, III & NAIA)

Bemidji State University - Jared Henning

Bethel University (Minn.) - Kyle Kilgore

Butler University - Drew Bevelhimer

DePauw University - Hunter Sego

Drake University - Nathan Clayberg

Macalester College - Ethan Levin

Morningside College - Trent Solsma

North Carolina Central University - Nick Leverett

North Dakota State University - Easton Stick

Saint John’s University (Minn.) - Jackson Erdmann

Southwest Minnesota State University - Jon Dicke

Honorary Head Coach

Washington University in St. Louis - Larry Kindbom

Fans are encouraged to visit ESPN.com/Allstate to vote for the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® Captain now through Nov. 23, 2018. The Team Captain will be honored at this season’s The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.

Throughout the season, fans can follow along and join in on the conversation by using #GoodWorksTeam on their social media channels.

The 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® was selected with help from an esteemed voting panel, including two-time national champion and former Good Works Team® member, Tim Tebow. From the 169 nominations reviewed this summer, only a select group of 22 college football players and honorary head coach are recognized with the Good Works Team® designation.

“When asked to participate on the Good Works Team® voting panel I jumped at the chance, especially since this initiative hits so close to home for me,” said Tebow. “It is an honor to be involved in a program that embodies the dedication and determination it takes to make positive changes across our country, while inspiring current and future players to do the same.”

In addition to Tebow, who will be participating for the third year in a row, the voting panel includes: president of the Eastern Territory at Allstate Insurance Company Dave Prendergast, former Good Works Team® members Zaid Abdul-Aleem (Duke, 1994 team), Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1997, 1998 teams), Brian Brenberg (St. Thomas, 2001 team), Mike Proman (Amherst, 2002 team) and Wes Counts (Middle Tennessee State, 1999 team); media members Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN), Blair Kerkhoff (Kansas City Star) and Paul Myerberg (USA TODAY); 2018 AFCA President and Georgetown College head coach Bill Cronin; 2001 AFCA President and current athletic director at Virginia Union University Joe Taylor.

“It goes without saying how excited we are to recognize this diverse group of student-athletes and honorary head coach for their unwavering commitment to serving others and making a difference in their communities,” said Prendergast. “Our goal for this program is to shed light on the often unnoticed and unrewarded acts of kindness off the field. Whether it’s serving as a mentor for local youth or donating time and energy to raising awareness of social issues, these young men are setting an outstanding example in the football community and beyond.”

“Football programs across the country do an excellent job of giving back to their local communities and helping those in need,” AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry said. “The 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team honors those select few student-athletes and one head coach who go above and beyond in the service of others.”

About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® was established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season.

About AFCA

The AFCA was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 11,000 members around the world ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was formed, in part, to “maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession” and to “provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football.”

About North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace. Consistently ranked as a top Historically Black College or University, NCCU offers flagship programs in the sciences, education, law, business, nursing and the arts. Founded in 1910, NCCU remains committed to diversity in and access to higher education. Our alumni excel in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. Visit www.nccu.edu.