Branch One of 11 Chosen from FCS, Division II, III and NAIA.
WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley fifth-year senior and two-time team captain Jailen Branch has been chosen as one of the 22 members of the 31st Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which recognizes football student-athletes for outstanding contributions off the field. Branch is the first Bentley student-athlete to ever receive this prestigious recognition.
The final roster features 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 11 from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and the NAIA, as well as one honorary head coach, Mark Stoops of the University of Kentucky. Branch was one of only four Division II student-athletes to be selected.
"Receiving this award means a great deal, especially because I was one of only 11 selected nationally from a pool of FCS, D2, and D3 student athletes," said Branch. "Even before being named captain of Bentley football, I believed I had the qualities of a leader. As captain, I believe your priority is to assist others. You lead by example and help those around you become better. So, I took the initiative and joined the Team Impact team, serving as a liaison between the team and the institution.
"In 2021, with the assistance of Mr. Vaughn Williams and Coach Reynolds, we established BBSA (Bentley Black Student Athletes) as part of Bentley's racial justice plan to create something special for the athletic population's special demographics. At that time, there were only 50 Black student athletes, four of which were female out of a population of 700 student-athletes. Without us, we would not be well-represented. I wanted to make sure we all got to know each other so we could become a family and support each other.
"Furthermore, make our voices heard so that we are not drowned out, and gather as many perspectives as possible so that the college experience for current and future Black student-athletes is the best it can be! I want to leave more than just a mark and a legacy on the field. I want to ensure that those that come after me are welcomed, supported, and taken care of. Most importantly, I want to ensure that this school continues to grow and move forward for students like me," continued Branch.
Branch's arrival at Bentley in 2018 coincided with Alvin Reynolds joining the coaching staff.
"I have had the unique privilege of being Jailen's defensive back coach, defensive coordinator and now being his head football coach," said Reynolds. "His infectious personality and attention to helping not only himself but others do the little things has created a commitment to excellence . I believe it is one of the major reasons Bentley football has had a successful run since 2018.
"Beside coaching him on the field, I have had the pleasure as Associate Director of Athletic for Diversity and Inclusion to work with Jailen in his role as President of BBSA. Working side-by-side with him, we in the athletic department watch him and fellow student athletes grow visibility, not only of athletic, but also the university. With his leadership ability we can't wait to see what he and the other student athletes do," continued Reynolds.
Branch is a two-time All-Northeast-10 honoree, including a first-team selection last fall, and third-year starter. He's been in 33 career games and has contributed 97 tackles, 20 pass break-ups, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and four tackle for loss, as well as immeasurable leadership.
"Big time acknowledgement for a student-athlete who represents all that Bentley Athletics stands for," said Williams. "I can assure you Jailen has a bright future ahead of him."
Team officials from across the country nominated players from their schools for the prestigious award based on their work off the field. A list of 114 nominees was announced in July before the final 22-player roster was chosen by the selection panel, which includes former Good Works Team players, journalists and officials from Allstate and the AFCA. The panel looks for players that demonstrate exceptional leadership on and off the football field.
"For 31 years, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team has reminded us how to use our position in life — whatever that may be — to lift up those around us," said Tim Tebow, two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner and 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team member. "There are so many players across all levels of the game who use their platforms for good, and it is an inspiration to see the variety of ways these young men choose to help make our society better."
Allstate will continue its tradition of rewarding these athletes with an NIL opportunity as well as a charity match from The Allstate Foundation.
"The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is arguably college football's highest honor because it recognizes a player's integrity and service off the field rather than their performance on it," said Executive Vice President and General Manager, Allstate Sales and Distribution, Troy Hawkes. "The sports world is often defined by what happens between the lines. While they are also accomplished as players, these 22 student-athletes make a monumental difference in their communities. Allstate is so proud to honor them as beacons of positive change around the country."
VOTING INFORMATION
At ESPN.com/Allstate, fans can learn more about the players' accomplishments and vote for the 2022 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain once a day now through Nov. 22, 2022.
"So often, stories like these go overlooked in collegiate athletics. Our sport is defined by character and a team-first mentality, and the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team personifies all that is good about football," AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry said. "We encourage fans from all over to learn more about all that these players are doing for their communities."
Throughout the season, fans can join the conversation using #GoodWorksTeam on their social media channels to learn more about these players and their stories.
-Release provided by Bentley athletic communications-
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. The 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.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads all conferences with 82 selections to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team since it began in 1992. The SEC is followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 52 selections and the Big 12 Conference and Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, both with 39 selections. Georgia is in first place with 22 honorees to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The Bulldogs are followed by Kentucky with 17 honorees. Super Bowl XLII, XLVI and XLI champion quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning were members of the 2002 and 1997 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams, respectively.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 13 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
