Odeluga Named to Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch Listing

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois’ senior linebacker Kenenna Odeluga has been named to the preseason watch record for the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, launched Thursday by the The Wuerffel Foundation.

ALLSTATE WUERFFEL TROPHY

The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, a member of the National College Football Awards Association, is faculty soccer’s premier award for group service. The trophy is offered yearly by the Wuerffel Foundation to the FBS participant who greatest combines exemplary group service with management and efficiency on and off the sphere. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Danny Wuerffel, the award honors his dedication to inspiring higher service and unity on this planet. Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy is celebrating its twenty first anniversary this 12 months.

• Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Website
• Last three winners:
  • 2024: Nick Dawkins, OL, Penn State
  • 2023: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
  • 2022: Dillan Gibbons, OL, Florida State

KENENNA ODELUGA

• Recipient of Illinois’ Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award in 2025
• Founded Illinois’ Afro-Tailgate, which provides a chance for African college students to participate in a cultural expertise and revel in a school soccer sport in a secure, welcoming setting. He has run the tailgates in 2023 and 2024. Last 12 months, he was in a position to sponsor over 60 tickets for on-campus RSO teams; folks from his hometown in South Holland, Illinois; and members of his church. After the sport, Odeluga joined the group for some good music, good meals, and good conversations
• Helped launch the African Heritage Scholarship at his highschool alma mater, Mount Carmel, alongside together with his household
• Served a mission journey to Africa in the summertime of 2023
• Visited the Carle Foundation Hospital to satisfy infants and youngsters of all ages who had been coping with varied sicknesses or ailments
• Volunteered to assist construct a backyard on the Salvation Army
• Worked with DREAAM for the group’s group service occasion, taking part in with the children and serving to with different elements of the occasion
• Attended the Black Student Athlete Summit 2024 in Los Angeles, connecting with quite a few professionals and athletic college members from throughout the nation, whereas cultivating fellowship and lasting relationships with lots of the 1,500 student-athletes in attendance
• Co-leader for EMPOWER, a student-athlete affinity group that uplifts and supplies a secure area for student-athletes of shade on the University of Illinois inside the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
• Member of Illinois Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), serving as a consultant for the soccer program and having the ability to be part of varied athletics group initiatives
• Three-time Academic All-Big Ten choice

ILLINI ON WATCH LISTS (AS OF JULY 31)