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University of Minnesota Athletics
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Smith Named a Nominee for 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
7/20/2026 7:03:00 AM | Football
The preseason All-American led the Big Ten with 12.5 sacks in 2025
University of Minnesota defensive lineman Anthony Smith is a nominee for the 2026 Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team.Â
The AFCA Good Works Team recognizes college football athletes for their unwavering commitment to community service and their "good works" off the field. The final 22-member team and honorary coach are selected by a voting panel of former AFCA Good Works Team members, current and former head coaches and journalists who look for exceptional leadership on and off the football field.Â
Smith has been active in the community through team-initiated volunteer opportunities like the annual turkey drive and kids camp and he has also helped Girl Scouts sell cookies. He has also visited schools and spent time at Annunciation Catholic School last year, in the aftermath of an unimaginable tragedy. Smith also made a four-hour trip to a school in Austin, Minn., to surprise a class that wrote him persuasive letters to visit.Â
Smith has been named a preseason All-American by numerous outlets after a 2025 season that saw him make 38 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, a Big Ten leading 12.5 sacks and three pass breakups. The league's coaches named him All-Big Ten First Team for his efforts.Â
The AFCA Good Works Team recognizes college football athletes for their unwavering commitment to community service and their "good works" off the field. The final 22-member team and honorary coach are selected by a voting panel of former AFCA Good Works Team members, current and former head coaches and journalists who look for exceptional leadership on and off the football field.Â
Smith has been active in the community through team-initiated volunteer opportunities like the annual turkey drive and kids camp and he has also helped Girl Scouts sell cookies. He has also visited schools and spent time at Annunciation Catholic School last year, in the aftermath of an unimaginable tragedy. Smith also made a four-hour trip to a school in Austin, Minn., to surprise a class that wrote him persuasive letters to visit.Â
Smith has been named a preseason All-American by numerous outlets after a 2025 season that saw him make 38 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, a Big Ten leading 12.5 sacks and three pass breakups. The league's coaches named him All-Big Ten First Team for his efforts.Â
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