MSU fifth-year senior tight end Josiah Price was slated as a semifinalist for the 2016 Wuerffel Trophy, which is awarded to the “Football Bowl Subdivision player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement," according to a release from MSU Athletics.
The Wuerffel Trophy has been awarded since 2005, according to the release, and is considered “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service.”
Past winners of the award include USC's Matt Barkley in 2012 and Heisman Trophy winner, Florida’s Tim Tebow in 2008.
“Price simply has a passion to help others in the community,” according to a press release from MSU. “With the support of his family, this trait has been instilled in him from an early age, traveling on mission trips, including to Honduras, in high school.”
MSU listed Price’s volunteer work with March is Reading Month, a mission trip to South Africa and the Ingham County Child Benefit Fund, among others.
During the course of his career, Price has amassed 19 touchdowns and 87 catches for 1,082 yards. His 19 touchdowns rank first all-time for MSU tight ends and he’s only the fourth MSU tight end to garner at least 1,000 yards.
The three-time Academic All-Big Ten player also has a 3.62 GPA and is currently pursuing a degree in hospitality business.
Price is no stranger to awards lists, as he currently holds spots on the William V. Campbell Trophy list for the nation’s top scholar-athlete and the John Mackey Award list for the nation’s top tight end.
Others listed as semifinalists for the Wuerffel Trophy include:
Christian McCaffrey from Stanford, Trevor Knight from Texas A&M, Zach Terrell from Western Michigan, Drue Tranquill from Notre Dame, Brooks Ellis from Arkansas, Jeb Blazevich from Georgia, DeVon Edwards from Duke, Garrett Adcock from New Mexico, Mike Caprara from Pittsburgh and Jeff Lindquist from Washington.
Finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 23 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 6 at the National Football Foundation’s press conference in New York City.
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