AFCA Allstate Good Works Team Release

Grand Valley State senior defensive end Colton Hyble has been selected to the 2023 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, the American football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced. Hyble is the second Laker all-time to be honored as an AFCA Allstate Good Works Team member, joining Tyler Bradfield. 
 
The final 22-member team and honorary coach were selected by a voting panel of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members, current and former head coaches and journalists. They look for exceptional leadership on and off the football field. 
 
Established in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is one of the most coveted community service awards in college football. From the 135 nominees, the final roster of 23 award recipients will bring together 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision; 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA); and one honorary head coach. To be considered for a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining strong academic standing. 
 
In addition to the 2023 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team selection panel members are: Tim Tebow (Florida, 2009 team); Troy Hawkes (Executive Vice President and General Manager, Allstate Sales and Distribution); Zaid Abdul-Aleem (Duke, 1994 team); Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1997, 1998); Brian Brenberg (St. Thomas, 2001); Mike Proman (Amherst, 2002); Wes Counts (Middle Tennessee State, 1999); media members Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN); Blair Kerkhoff (Kansas City Star); and Paul Myerberg (USA Today); 2023 AFCA President and Ouachita Baptist University Head Coach Todd Knight; and 2014 AFCA President and former head coach at Ithaca College, Mike Welch.
 
"These players embody the best of what college football stands for: character, selflessness and the willingness to serve and give to others," AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry said. "The AFCA proudly stands alongside Allstate and each of these players' families and communities to applaud their inspirational work."
 
Hyble, a native of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and Sacred Heart High School, has been exceptional both on and off the field for Grand Valley State since his arrival in Allendale. A three-time GLIAC Academic Excellence honoree, a 2022 College Sports Communicators All-American and an All-GLIAC performer, Hyble is the key figure in the growth and maturity that has become a focal point for the roster. On the field he has been productive with 72 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss (-64) and 5.5 QB sacks (-47) for a team that is 23-4 and spent time as the number one ranked team in the country. He was an All-GLIAC honoree as a junior with 32 tackles, 7.0 TFL (-47) and 4.5 QB sacks (-41). 

"Colton Hyble is so deserving of this honor and is a wonderful representative of Grand Valley State football," said first-year head coach Scott Wooster. "Colton is giving to every aspect of his college experience from the Grand Rapids and Allendale community to a number organizations within Grand Valley State University. He is the standard of what we want a leader to be in our football program," added Wooster. 
 
Hyble has been involved in over 40 off the field ventures of community service, leadership, youth mentoring, organizational fundraising and the GVSU Student Athlete Advisory Council during his career with the Laker football program. He has mentored young men in All Good Sports, been a part of Bethany Christian Youth Services, Seeds of Promise, the ICCF Community Homes, the Cook Leadership Academy and Athletes in Action. Hyble is heavily involved in the GVSU SAAC, most recently as the Vice President, and all of the community service projects that group is currently handling.